After a little less than two years and the genre-altering alternative-acoustic-folk-hip hop debut album Fly Away, Paul Wright is stunning listeners yet again with his sophomore effort from Gotee Records entitled Sunrise to Sunset. Although he has an increasingly large fan base, Paul Wright remains a lesser known artist from Eugene, Oregon in the Christian music industry. Hopefully this newest album may be the one that put his music in more eager listeners' hands.

Sunrise to Sunset is all about keeping your focus on God throughout the whole day, from beginning to end. Paul Wright is known for his ability to produce extraordinary, yet mellow, hip-hop/folk rock songs on an acoustic guitar. Sunrise to Sunset is one of his more personal albums that will definitely touch the listener in one way or another. Through this album, Paul wants to express his desire to grow closer to God on more days than just Sundays. Sunrise to Sunset is also about new beginnings and how God lets us start over again every day.

Earlier hits like "Your Love Never Changes," "Brighter," and "Flip Flops," are now being surmounted by songs like "Heaven," "From Sunrise to Sunset," "Come Around," and the album's first single "Take This Life."

Sunrise to Sunset, produced by Chris Stevens (TobyMac, ZOEgirl, Sanctus Real), starts off on a high note with the radio-worthy "Heaven," which is about that enthusiasm you find when looking forward to what Heaven will be like. The title track "From Sunrise to Sunset" features smooth acoustic riffs with bouncy lyrics displayed by Paul's soft and relaxed vocals. It definitely portrays the meaning behind the whole album, "From sunrise to sunset, help me not forget all that you've done for me/ From sunset to sunrise, help me keep my eyes upon your glory."

Later in the album, songs like "Spirit Move" and "Resurrection" reveal the more reggae and hip hop sides of Paul's musical abilities. "Spirit Move" incorporates energetic bongo playing skills. The end of "Resurrection" expresses Paul's passion for Mexican food with a random and funny yet mellow acoustic freestyle. The pop/rock aspects of his music will excite listeners through "Walking on Water." Also on the album is "Acoustic Rhymes," one of those hip-hop-flavored acoustic songs that Paul Wright is unquestionably known for. Sunrise to Sunset closes on a soft note with an older song entitled "Thank You" from Paul's former band Frunt Row Joe (2002 Indie), which was written after a friend of his unexpectedly passed away.

Sunrise to Sunset seems to have picked up where Fly Away left off, but takes much more of a softer and laid back approach. Those who have met Paul will pick up on how personal and rich in thought this album is. There are a lot of similarities between the two albums, but it does sounds as though Paul is maturing in his musical abilities, both vocally and instrumentally. Those of you who enjoy acoustic artists like Shawn McDonald, or just good hip-hop-seasoned pop should give Paul Wright's Sunrise to Sunset a try.

- Review date: 7/18/05, written by Jess Vander Loop