Typically for most artist, an sophomore record is a pivotal point in an artist career. If you've had massive success, it's usually an indication of if your career will continue to catapult and if you haven't yet, it is usually a sign of whether or not you've grown.
However, for a Christian artist in ministry, it is a continued hope that your God given gifts will reach others hearts to inspire their walk with God, share your testimonies, and glorify God over all.
Case and point, Stevie Rizo. An Self-Releasing Christian R&B artist following after the call God has given him begins developing a very TrapSoul styled record. Let's dive in.
Track #1- Godspeed:
A Piano ladden and electric guitar driven lullaby-esque ballad is an encouragement to others to keep going and continue to take leaps of faith in the midst of burnout and discouragement. The track is an awesome introduction and the beginning of an awesome vibe. It is a bit repetitive, but he soars in his adlibs and guitar instrumentation.
4/5 Stars
Track #2 - Balance
Vibing in as a very subtly dancehall-trapsoul styled tune, Rizo coos away about how in the midst of his troubles and wins, God is always there to anchor his life. It steadily shifts into a showstopping trap rap on it's bridge with a confidence that effortlessly flows about a journey from a struggle to a win in Jesus name. The vocal production is very breezy, and the sonic composition of the song reminds me of an brisk, early morning 5am walk with fresh air. It's a nice song, but it's most captivating moment is it's transition into a rap bridge.
3.5 / 5 Stars
Track #3 - Circumstance
Flittering in seemlessly as an equally vibey successor to it's predecessor, the mood shifts slightly into a more sonically cinematic affair, it's a sung rap effort about regardless of what a situation is or how bad it gets, God is your protection in your faith. The meticulousness of the vocal production of this record stands out easily, because I can hear the fullness in the pockets of it's beat production from the harmonies and added background textures as well as the way his vocals glide by each other.
4.5/ 5 Stars
Track 4: When We Ride (Feat. A'sha)
Coming in significantly different as an acoustic guitar led TrapSoul track with a sample of sorts, what instantly strikes me is that I can't totally tell what Stevie is saying when I hear this record. It's giving SZA and Summer Walker singing in cursive (as the kids say lol) I replayed it a few times before ultimately giving up and looking up the lyrics. After further investigation, I realize that he is basically asking a prayer of protection from God wherever he may go or be doing. Definitely something I relate to. A'sha compliments Stevie's vocals well, though I note that it would appear based on production they like their vocals produced and mixed a bit differently. Though I would argue it adds sincerity and authenticity to each artist as a collective. Vocally and sonically, I give this two thumbs up. I'm a sucker for this kind of flow over a TrapSoul beat such as this. Though I had a hard time initially deciphering the lyrics, once I did, I could touch and agree with it. When he said "what is pride to a God who still provides when they deny him" it hit very differently in a thought provoking manner. This record was the first to stand out to me on first listen and I enjoy it.
5/5 Stars
Track #5 - El Shaddai
Flowing into a moody expression of praise comes El Shaddai (The God of Heaven). I think out of every song on this album, this feels more personally intimate. Lyrically, a track about how God loved Stevie despite how others wrote him off, it's a hymn of genuine praise and the rap on this bridge speaks to me on a spiritual level. The vibey, flowy, airy, chill and yet very intimate set up of this song is very pleasing. It's dope. I did struggle with distinguishing the initial lyrics at first, but it's an awesome and unique expression of praise. Love this one. Growing into my favorite album cut.
5/5
Track # 6 - YHWH (Feat. GED)
Instantly grabbing my attention on first listen, the spacey vocal delivery and layering capitvates continuously throughout and is easily the most simple yet profound track on the album. Speaking from experience, Rizo speaks on the fluctuation of life..except that God never will change in the midst of everything else. Is one of the catchiest songs on the album. I was a little confused on some of GED's jargon, but it works. In slight competition with El Shaddai as my favorite.
5/5 Stars
Track #7 - Powerful
The album's lead single and arguably the most sonically different, "Powerful" taps in as the reining champ as the album's undeniably catchiest and most uptempo record while maintaining the musical direction and integrity of the album. A message about God's supreme authority and faithfulness, a dope remainder to not worry and remember who holds everything in his hands.
5/5 Stars
Track #8 - Merciful
A dive into UK Drill TrapSoul, "Merciful" toys and plays with rap and excells in harmonies and blend. I feel like this track is dope on a musical scale, but lacks depth lyrically, compared to most of the tracklist. Not a bad track, but kinda lyrically is a little all over the place. It's also the second shortest track.
3.5/5 Stars
Track #9 - Bless It
A Fun track with a bass the Lord surely blessed. It's a sung-rap song with a playful/goofy cadence. He even makes a reference, and kinda calls out Kanye's shenanigans. "Bless It" is about the guidance of God and how
he's blessed Rizo with the success he's had so far. It's a little cocky, but I like it.
5/5 Stars
Track #10 - I Pray
The closing track is a prayer of intercession for the loved ones in Stevie Rizo's life. It plays with what sounds like xylophone/marimba and Stevie's electric guitar solo shines through here. It's a nice close to an arguably significant sophomore effort.
4/5
Total rating : 4.5/5
Overall, "From HIM To Hymn" is an outstanding landmark and shift in Christian R&B music. It paints an awesome portrait of a a Christian, Black man's walk and perspective of his relationship with God. It has a few minor scuffs (such as slight vocal production unclarities, repetitive lyricism, and slight pronunciation irregularities" (cough) like sza (cough). However, overall, it's a really dope album and if you're a fan of Bryson Tiller, Summer Walker, Fresh Gospel music , or are looking for an faith based extension of vibey trap music, this is up your alley.
Highlights:
"El Shaddai" "YHWH" "Powerful" "Bless It"
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