Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Aaron Strumpel

Aaron Strumpel
Bright Star

Street Date: February 3, 2015
Style: Acoustic / Indie Pop


According to his website, "Aaron Strumpel is a singer/songwriter from Boulder, CO. Aaron has been prolific over the last eight years, recording six solo full-length albums and five solo EPs. He has toured through 45 states and internationally to Rwanda, Uganda, Gaza, Israel, Haiti, and much of Europe, Central, and South America." This makes me wonder how I've never heard his music before. But with much intrigue, and after hearing Bright Star, I am shocked that no one is talking about this album.

Strumpel's music is very rhythmic, but it remains melodic and, lyrically, much of his material comes from the Psalms. While the album slightly slips up in the beginning with the dragging length of "Centuries," it quickly gets on track with the smooth vocals, trumpet and subtle synths of "Beautiful Pearl." "Mightier" is very poetic and worshipful, and showcases the beautiful atmosphere that Strumpel creates so well on this album. Next up is "Give Me Your Hand," utilizing a toe­tapping beat and ethereal instrumentation to accompany attention-grabbing lyrics ("There's none too poor, too dirty, too broken, too naked, too stupid, too drunken, to be thrown outside of His love"). Bringing us halfway through the album is "Spark My Heart," which is tonally bright (pun intended), joyful and probably the closest you'll find to poppy CCM.

Kicking off the second half of Bright Star is the title track, a song that brings us right back into the wondrous atmosphere and diverse musicianship, containing a great trumpet section and possibly even some accordion that surprisingly works. "Coming After You" is an album highlight, lyrically, and uses well-placed electronic percussion to back the intimate and prayerful lyrics ("There’s a breach in my walls where I can reach to You; there’s a ladder against my walls where I can climb to You"). And though it may be somewhat repetitive, "Won't Stop" boasts a catchy melody paired with a quasi­orchestral backdrop. The song "Twenty Three," while overlong, features a dreamy musical arrangement and uplifting lyrics influenced by Psalm 23 ("You lead me to waters, and pastures so green; You pour out Your oil, and choose goodness and mercy for me"). And lastly, the sad-turned-hopeful "Were You There" closes out the album nicely with deep vocals, hypnotizing horns, and personal lyrics that almost put you at the crucifixion scene with thoughtful imagery ("Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble").

My only issues with Bright Star are that a couple of songs drag on too long, and that it can be lyrically repetitive. But the high points far outweigh the minor hiccups. Those looking for an energetic and upbeat praise album will be disappointed, but those who crave deeper and more personal worship will find much to love on this album. In a world with much generic Christian music out there, Aaron Strumpel goes above and beyond to make unique and sincere worship music that shines. Bright Star is for fans of experimental worship artists such as John Mark McMillan and Josh Garrels.

- Review date: 11/18/15, written by Dylan O'Connor of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

 

JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: None
. Album length: 10 tracks: 50 minutes, 1 second
. Street Date: February 3, 2015
. Download It: iTunes
. Download It: AmazonMP3
. Download It: Bandcamp

  1. Centuries (6:47)
  2. Beautiful Pearl (4:29)
  3. Mightier (5:45)
  4. Give Me Your Hand (4:17)
  5. Spark My Heart (4:05)
  6. Bright Star (4:37)
  7. Coming After You (4:30)
  8. Won't Stop (3:35)
  9. Twenty Three (7:24)
  10. Were You There (4:32)

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

Search JFH



This Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
B. Tee Told You [Syntax]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Empowered SALT - EP (independent)
Homesick Prodigals Different Good (independent)
KDNS After Eden [Syntax]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
Pulpit Vomit Hospital Lens [Rottweiler]
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
Taylor & Co Worship Breakthrough - EP (independent)
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
abenezer i was lost - Single [Gotee]
Joe L Barnes Good Shepherd (Studio Version) - Single [Provident]
Sho Baraka Still Got Faith (ft. L3xdivine) - Single [Syntax]
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Katty Camargo Shine Upon Me - Single (independent)
The CCC Collective Thankful - Single (independent)
C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
CXMMXNS Trust and Obey (feat. CAIN) - Single [Provident]
EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
Forrest Frank GOD'S GOT MY BACK - Single [River House / 10K]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Noah Paul Harrison Oh Lord My God (Live) - Single [Bethel]
J.Solo All I Have (ft. Kaboose & MotionPlus) - Single [Syntax]
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Lecrae Bless You (feat. Torey D'Shaun) - Single [Reach]
TobyMac God Did It (feat. Jamie MacDonald) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Matt Maher Wait (Radio Version) - Single [Provident]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
QEW JOYXFIX (ft. Stevie Rizo) - Single [Syntax]
Naomi Raine God Will Work It Out - Single [Tribl]
Rave Jesus Runnin' - Single [Provident]
Saints in Exile Bad Vibes - Single [Syntax]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
Michael W. Smith Your Love Is A Flood - Single [The Fuel]
John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
Regina Vandereijk You're the Light - Single (independent)
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zach Williams Killed A Man - Single [Provident]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]

This Saturday, July 26, 2025
SINGLES
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno What Would You Do? - Single (independent)

Next Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

SINGLES
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Get all of JFH's indie compilation now totally free!
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images