An extended review of this full-length 2022 music recording
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BEC Recordings, 2022. $32 (or $14 at JordanStCyr.com)
Jordan St. Cyr’s journey to a career in Christian music got started when he was serving in another capacity with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). After the Niverville, Man., native realized music is something he wanted to pursue, he went on to release an EP independently and then became a contestant in the Great Canadian Song Search contest in Toronto. His music stood out among the competition, and he was named “one of three hot Manitoba music releases to watch out for” by the CBC.
Eventually he signed with BEC Recordings in Seattle, and with the label’s support in 2022 released his first full-length album, self-titled Jordan St. Cyr. He says the album was inspired by a season of difficulty for him and his family. “We’ve been gifted a deeper understanding of what pain and suffering can bring about, and I believe the message of my songs is a gentle reminder of our desperate need for a faithful God. No matter what our currently reality is, we can know with assurance that the present-working power of Jesus is with us every step of the way.” It’s a theme heard in the album from start to finish.
The album opens with “No Matter What,” a reminder of the faithfulness of God. The song “Yours” conveys that despite difficulty in life we belong to God and He is our shelter in the storm. “Turn It Around” finds St. Cyr pushing for faith because even in hopeless circumstances God can still turn it around. “Weary Traveler” is an encouragement to keep persevering but to not do so alone.
“Fires” addresses our doubts in the middle of a storm as he vulnerably sings: “I remember how You told me / That life may not be easy / And everything I need / You’ve already given me / I remember how You Told me / I can trust You completely / So why am I doubting / When You proved that You’d fight for me / When the smoke billows higher, oh and higher / And it feels like I can barely breathe / I’ll walk through these fires / Cause You’re walking with me.”
Knowing that St. Cyr was able to write these powerful songs, despite the challenges he and his family face after their youngest daughter Emery was diagnosed with Sturge Weber Syndrome, adds credibility to his testimony that God can meet us in the middle of the darkest storm.
As he sings in “Let Go, Let God:” “Somethings in life I can’t make right all by myself / Seems like an uphill battle / Feels like it’s just no fair / Something in life I can’t make right / But even then I’ve gotta / Let go and let God put me back together / I don’t think I can live like this forever / I’ve only got two hands / I can’t hold the world but He can / I know I’ve got to let go and let God.”
While some songs might find a home on the Adult Contemporary (AC) charts, this a pop album through and through with up-tempo and uplifting songs of faith from start to finish. Fans of Micah Tyler, MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Matthew West or Ryan Stevenson will really appreciate all this album has to offer.
St. Cyr’s music and the message behind it is clearly striking a chord with listeners. Last year he walked away with six wins at the GMA Canada Covenant Awards, the most wins out of any of the nominees. In 2022 he also was nominated as Best New Artist at the GMA Dove Awards alongside Anne Wilson, Blessing Offor, Ryan Ellis and DOE. While Anne Wilson walked away with the win, the fact that this Canadian artist was nominated shows his music is making waves south of the border too. This year Jordan received his first Juno Award for this very album, winning contemporary Christian / gospel album of the year, a great honour for a relatively new artist.
If this album is any indication, Jordan St. Cyr is just getting started and there are great things ahead for the young artist.
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