On his major label debut, Jason Gray proves a talented and vulnerable newcomer, serving up a solid first offering, All the Lovely Losers. Using his struggles with chronic stuttering and a broken home life as a backdrop for his full-disclosure style songwriting, Gray consistently delivers pop-infused folk tunes that bridge genres and break musical boundaries. On opener “Blessed Be,” Gray’s mellow, rock-tinged voice and melodic song style pair up for a memorable and thought-provoking hook that is bound to stay with you long after the first listen. The second track, “Sing Through Me,” takes the listeners on an acoustical journey of heartfelt lyrics and solid rhythmic nuances. On the love-inspired “Grace,” a pleasant nod to Gray’s vulnerability in songwriting, he sings “I’ll never be good enough for her,” and one can’t help but feel his sincerity through the purity of his vocals. Other highlights come from the impressive guest collaborators, such as PFR’s Joel Hanson, Andrew Peterson, Waterdeep’s Lori Chafer, and Sara Groves, who joins forces with Gray on the CD climax “The Cut” to deliver a double punch of passion and power. Gray is sure to succeed with his simple formula of honesty and good music.   —ELISABETH BURNS

Complete

Artist: LaShun Pace
Label: EMI Gospel

Well known as a member of the groundbreaking The Anointed Pace Sisters, LaShun Pace comes from a family of powerhouse singers. Now a solo artist, she’s just released her seventh project, Complete. This live recording allows her to shine in her element. Having endured broken marriages, a lengthy illness and the sudden loss of her daughter, Pace knows suffering. But on cuts such as the lead single “All Things Working,” she declares that it all works for our good. She continues to go back to her church roots on songs such as “The Blood Completes It All” and “The Old Fashioned Church Medley.”  A vocalist extraordinaire and the album’s principle songwriter, LaShun becomes transparent throughout the project’s 10 tracks. “Close to You,” preceded by a personal testimony, is a certain highlight. Although most cuts are traditional in nature, the title song borrows sounds from today’s contemporary gospel music. Few can deliver a gospel song like Pace. She’s known for putting her all into each song and Complete is no exception. Fans of her ministry will not be disappointed.     —ANDREA R. WILLIAMS