` Jesusfreakhideout.com: You Are a Soul, "The Dance of Faith and Doubt" Review
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

You Are a Soul, 'The Dance of Faith and Doubt'
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE


You Are a Soul
The Dance of Faith and Doubt

Street Date: March 29, 2024
Style: Indie Post-Rock
Buy It: Amazon Music



Post-rock has become my go-to music during a season of business and spiritual fatigue. The expansive soundscapes and emotive melodies help calm my emotions, providing a serene backdrop that allows me to meditate on the good things God has brought into my life. This genre's instrumental nature creates a peaceful space for reflection, helping me find solace and gratitude amidst the chaos. You Are a Soul boldly wades into this chaos with their latest release, The Dance of Faith and Doubt.

You Are a Soul is the solo project of multi-instrumentalist/producer Isaac Adkins, who also runs the record label Perfect Fourth Records, which he established as an umbrella for all the projects (6 in total) in which he plays a part. Throughout his career, he has released hundreds of songs across various genres, focusing on the art and being outside the box in terms of how the music is made and presented. Being the sole member has allowed for a cohesive and singular vision to shine through, and his dedication to his craft and his label is evident in the meticulous production and the emotional depth of the album.

The first thing that hooked me about this new release was the transparent honesty that is present and conveyed even without lyrical communication. Adkins even said that this album was one of the most vulnerable that he has ever been a part of, and this vulnerability encapsulates a profound spiritual narrative that is at once deeply personal and universally relatable. There is also a strong sense of maturity reflected in the overarching theme that comes from the growth of a band that is twenty albums into what is considered an early career. While earlier albums focus more on individual stories, The Dance of Faith and Doubt has a unified narrative that is easy to follow. From the self-titled opener to the thematic turning point found in "The Ghost of Guilt," through the last barren and calming notes of "Last Adam," we get a glimpse of spiritual deconstruction but also of reconstruction.

Production quality is a significant consideration in the post-rock genre, and The Dance of Faith and Doubt is exceptional in mixing sound dissonance. Adkins' attention to detail is apparent in the lush soundscapes and the intricate layering of instruments that bridge the despondent and dystopian to the calm and hopeful. The album blends traditional post-rock elements with experimental touches, creating a rich, immersive listening experience. The use of reverb-drenched guitars, atmospheric synths, and dynamic drumming contributes to the album's expansive sound. Each track highlights the emotional nuances of the compositions, making the album not just a collection of songs but a cohesive auditory experience.

The Dance of Faith and Doubt by You Are a Soul provides a captivating musical experience and mirrors the journey many of us take during times of spiritual angst or deconstruction. The album's narrative, expressed through its evocative song titles and thematic consistency, resonates deeply with those facing the challenges of questioning and refining their beliefs. Just as the music ebbs and flows, reflecting moments of clarity and confusion, our spiritual journeys often involve shedding outdated or harmful ideologies. Though difficult, this process is essential for reconstructing a strong and orthodox faith grounded in truth and personal conviction.

Isaac Adkins' masterful storytelling through music underscores the importance of this journey. The album's emotional depth and intricate instrumentality create a space for introspection and healing, encouraging listeners to embrace the discomfort of doubt as a pathway to deeper understanding and faith. By navigating through the themes of faith and doubt, The Dance of Faith and Doubt serves as a reminder that it is not wrong to question and evolve our beliefs. Instead, it is a necessary step towards building a more resilient and authentic spiritual foundation, much like the transformative journey depicted in the album.

- Review date: 12/29/24, written by Matt Baldwin of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!


 

 

JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: Perfect Fourth Records
. Album length: 13 tracks: 55 minutes, 46 seconds
. Street Date: March 29, 2024
. Buy It: Amazon Music

  1. The Dance of Faith and Doubt (5:50)
  2. Moth and Rust (4:58)
  3. Lunar Cycle of Regret (3:29)
  4. Apathetic 12 30 (2:54)
  5. Reactant Happiness (3:28)
  6. Theories of Outcomes (3:48)
  7. Stained Glass House (3:14)
  8. Ghost of Guilt (3:35)
  9. Monochrome Lens (3:12)
  10. Gradual Numbing (4:44)
  11. Echo of a Skeleton (5:22)
  12. Melancholic Prayer State (5:15)
  13. Last Adam (5:58)

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images