Faint Not

On the surface, the married duo of Jenny and Tyler Somers leans towards sweet grooves and sunny lyrics, but there’s real meat to be found in their songs. Their third album Faint Not confronts real-life heartaches on both personal and societal levels without surrendering to easy answers. “Dreaming of Peace” and the title tune in particular tackle questions of world conflict and social justice in honest terms. Jenny’s lilting, vibrato-tinged vocals and Tyler’s earnest, vulnerable singing-style convey the open-hearted tone of their songwriting, as does their emphasis on acoustic instrumentation and light yet firm rhythms. Songs like “This is Just So Beautiful” (a starry-eyed glimpse of an ordinary day) and “Holding On to Hope” (a minor-key anthem alluding to Nashville’s 2010 floods) reflect a nuanced spiritual outlook. “Carry Me” (featuring the gruffly prophetic voice of Third Day’s Mac Powell) and an enraptured cover of the Carter Family’s “Anchored In Love” are more explicitly God-centered. Overall, Jenny and Tyler radiate positive energy and Faint Not offers substance along with the good vibes.