Two years ago, Fepeste (A.K.A., Eric Jett) released What You Don't Know, an indie rock album with tinges of surf rock and shoegaze. It was a record focused on the hard things we deal with as adults (i.e., anxiety). For this reviewer, it was a timely God-send and made me an instant fan of Fepeste's work. Now, two years later, he's back-this time on Velvet Blue Music with his anticipated follow-up, This World Ain't Mine To Change. While the distinct "Fepeste sound" remains, Jett leans a little more into his surf rock influences, and having Jason Martin (of Starflyer 59) mastering the record makes this the best Fepeste has sounded yet.

If Fepeste's last album was a struggle with cares and worries, then This World... is a more settled view a little further down the road. To be sure, those troubles still exist and drive songs like "My Only Comfort" or "Doomsurfing," but all-in-all, Jett seems to have a firmer footing this time around. The tracks that bookend the record ("Be Forgotten" and "Be Remembered") encourage the listener to "Die and be remembered/By the one who created you." The other tracks detail how Jett is "dying" to be remembered. "That's Okay" shows his resignation at never being famous, instead opting to proclaim the Gospel. "Gotta Sing It" encourages the listener to persevere even when things seem worse. Meanwhile, Jett admits his faults on tracks like "All the Feels" and "Never Got Good." At times, Jett issues sterner warnings to the listener, as on "Who You Look To" and the imprecatory "Vengeance." Overall, the message is a mature next step from where Jett has been and thus makes This World… an excellent sequel.

It's not just the words and themes that make this album worth listening to, though. This record feels bright and full musically as well. Jason Martin's hand on the mastering process certainly helps, but the musicianship shines all the way through. On the tracks that could come off as repetitive (like "Things Change" or "Be Remembered"), the music keeps the listener engaged. Jett's world-weary vocals also feel more comfortable on this record. Leaning into the surf rock style was a good call, and Jett plays around with it to great effect.

This World Ain't Mine To Change is a bright and beautiful record, smartly executed and well-produced. It works as a solid sequel to Fepeste's last album and gives listeners a better idea of what the Fepeste style is. You have honest songs about life's struggles, strong allusions to biblical truth, and little gleams of humor sprinkled in for good measure. Aside from the surf rock stylings, you can see a little bit of Rich Mullins in the way Fepeste approaches music. Fans of mainline CCM and indie CCM will find Fepeste as one of the better examples of how you can do both without compromising artistry.