This week we premiere a pair of sophomore releases for opposite sides of the musical spectrum but both vertical in their message.

In the ensuing time since Day Of Fire’s debut album’s release, the band’s faith deepened with greater understanding. Along with this understanding, the ambition of the band evolved as well. With a new resolve, the band set out to create an aggressive rock record with an uncompromising message. Cut & Move is the result of that resolve, bringing the passion and the intensity that has defined Day of Fire to fans around the world. It is arguably one of the hardest-hitting rock album in years.

For most of his life, 24 year-old singer/songwriter Jason Morant has been a part of New Orleans church and its music. His second release, Open, underscores the artist’s gift for melody, as colorful and textured as the city he’s from. It’s equal parts rock, pop, folk and worship; he’s inspired by all of it. The album honours the city’s musical diversity through rich instrumentation that includes ambient strings and horns, along with piano, dobro, banjo and accordian. Lyrically, the songwriter exposes his range too, delving into personal subject matter and addressing the Church on issues near to his heart.

Cut And Move will be specially priced at $14.99 while Open will be priced at $17.99 at Canadian Christian retailers nationwide. Visit HearItFirst.ca to hear audio samples from these albums.