Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Stephen B. Steward is an emerging worship artist whose contemporary worship styling has seen him touted as one of the genre’s top rising acts. Bursting onto the scene with his triumphant debut single, “With My Whole Heart,” the high-spirited collaboration with GRAMMY® winner/gospel icon Andraé Crouch not only landed him a hit on the Billboard Top Gospel Singles Chart and three 2013 Prayze Factor People’s Choice awards, but also went on garner three 2014 Rhythm of Gospel Award nominations in “Worship/Praise Artist of the Year”, “Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year”, and “Songwriter of the Year” categories.
ENTER YOUR GATES, the tune’s parent album, plays host to a collection of gems made up much like “With My Whole Heart.” Featuring ingredients of fulfilling testimonies, a dash of his unmistakable baritone, and skillfully crafted worship numbers ranging from contemporary to traditional, the album’s eclectic recipe combines flavors sure to meet the tastes of all praise-and-worship music lovers.
An energetic worship experience that takes off full speed from the listener’s first press of “play”, the album starts with its enchanting title track “Enter Your Gates.” Navigating listeners through inspiring narratives of worship, the journey is guided by a prominence of scriptural references. From the Psalm 100:4-inspired “Enter Your Gates” to the John 14:6-derived “The Way, The Truth, The Life,” ENTER YOUR GATES lets the Word lead the way. And, lead it does.
Entering praise pathways where tunes like the album’s animated “The Sound of Heaven” rings as a hand-clapping celebration, elsewhere numbers like “Sing Alleluia,” “I Feel Your Presence,” and “I Repent” employ modest instrumentation to keep the message at the forefront. As all of the aforementioned feature simple, elegant arrangements led by piano or string, the songs opt to leave behind the gloss of numbers like “With My Whole Heart” and instead are carried by Stephen’s supple baritone.
The likes of the aptly titled “Something Special (ft. Adetomi Akinbode),” “Jesus Reign (ft. Candace Moore, Gromyko Collins, Carol Dennis-Dylan, and Belle Johnson),” and “I Sense Your Presence (ft. Candace Moore)” see Stephen team with gifted musicians and singers to impart a worship session strengthened by numbers. But, one of the album’s most notable tracks comes in the form of its official second single “Purify My Soul.” A prayer-filled petition for purity, the song’s contemporary decorations only accent the heartfelt lyrics. Calling by name the temptations men face everyday, the song’s bold subject matter make it a daring record for Stephen. Yet, through its vulnerability, comes its beauty.
The standout track comes via the Andraé Crouch-assisted lead single “With My Whole Heart.” Boasting a cosmic guitar riff and lyrics that plea to the heart of God, the song shines as a testimony of loving the Lord with one’s entire being. A message that finds itself a mainstay on the album, the tune acts as a well-appointed midpoint on the musical journey that is ENTER YOUR GATES. Its equally impressive remix, delegated to close the album, offers subtlety without distracting from the message.
ENTER YOUR GATES shines as more than an album. It is a musical portal on hand to help listeners enter a place of pure praise and worship. Set for release on May 20th, this collection of evangelical tunes will certainly introduce to some and confirm for others why Stephen is a leader of the worship genre’s freshman class.
