Not many artists today can claim to fit into multiple musical genres like alternative, folk, pop, and soul while still contributing solid music with an artistry worthy to be heard by almost anyone. Well, Shawn McDonald is one such rare talent and he is back at it again with his sixth full-length album, the aptly titled Brave.

The title track starts off this album and listeners are quickly thrown into a blend of upbeat dance style pop tunes with the idea of being brave on the forefront. Lyrics like "we're not defined by the fall, keep pressing through these walls" give good reason to listen and enjoy this finger snapping tune. "End Of The Day" follows, slowing the album down, a pattern that will occur throughout most of the listen: upbeat track to chill mode track. Shawn sings "never stop fighting, never stop dreaming, never stop giving, never stop speaking" while painting a picture of what kind of legacy he wants to leave on this world in another solid song. The next few selections are standard fare and easily enjoyable. The only songs that lacked a bit were "Worlds Apart" and "Through It All," with the former being too simplistic and the latter too repetitive in its verses. Other standout tracks, however, are "Learning How To Lose" and "Flower In The Snow," both containing great musical elements combined with stellar and moving lyrical content. Ending the 11-track album is "Your Love Is Saving Me," a quickly-paced song that carries a chorus worthy to be played in clubs and is overall a great track about God's love.

If you're already a fan of this veteran musician, then you certainly will enjoy Brave. While this may not be McDonald's most multi-faceted work to date, the music is diverse enough to catch listeners' ears, and though it's not the deepest album lyrically, the content is positively focused. Brave arrives just in time to help warm things up this spring.

- Review date: 4/7/14, written by Kevin Hoskins of Jesusfreakhideout.com