I guess 5 years is a long time without a new album, so Scott Stapp has all the time in the world to come up with something strong and personal, like he did with his last album, “The Space Between the Shadows”, which was probably his best solo album to date. Greek guitar maestro Yiannis Papadopoulos, who has been working with Scott since 2015, also plays on the new album.
So, what can we expect from a new Scott Stapp album? First and foremost, exceptional vocals, as Scott is an amazing vocalist with a distinctive voice that is recognized all over the world. Second, amazing ballads since Scott is a natural when it comes to slow, poetic, atmospheric, and emotional songs, and third, great guitar solos from Yiannis. The production is crisp, dynamic, and polished. Of course, Stapp’s vocals shine on the album.
The album’s lyrical content is deeply introspective and confessional. Stapp navigates his past struggles with raw honesty, both vulnerable and courageous, as he did on his previous release.
Personally, I prefer ballads and mid-tempo tracks that are melodic and have memorable refrains, such as “What I Deserve”, “If These Walls Could Talk” (a duet with the astonishing Dorothy), “You’re Not Alone”, “Dancing in the Rain”, and “Weight of the World”. Rockers such as “High Power”, “When Love is Not Enough”, and “Deadman’s Trigger” are also enjoyable. I do think that the previous album, “The Space Between the Shadows”, is better overall, not that the new one doesn’t have its moments.
Nonetheless, “Higher Power” is a solid album that is sure to resonate with fans of Stapp’s work as well as anyone who has gone through tough times and enjoys ballads with catchy melodies.
