Nothing Left to Fear

Fans of Matt Redman, Matthew West, and similar Christian artists will find much to like in this Charlotte-based singer/songwriter’s work. Cherry’s lyrics emphasize God’s redemptive power over this world's vanity and materialism; the accent is on the positive even when scorning human weakness. The triumphant messages within “Our God’s Alive,” “City of Light," and “We’ll Sing Forever” is underscored by the nuanced production of veteran Christian-music hitmaker Jason Ingram, who closely matches Cherry’s soft-to-explosive vocal style with sympathetic pop/rock arrangements. The reflective acoustic folk strains of “Running to Our Savior” find balance with the luminous piano balladry of “Beautiful Morning” and the flowing groove of “Divine Embrace.” “Nothing but the Blood” finds Cherry transforming a classic hymn into a modern expression of devotion. A promising first effort by a substantial new talent, Nothing Left to Fear is notable for its polished songs, well-focused sound, and sustained mood of spiritual exaltation.