Reviewed by Andrew Wallace

Seeking more creative freedom the synth/percussion player for Jackson, Missouri's indie worship band Seeker & Servant takes the independent route with 'The Prevailing'. Gautier has synesthesia, a sensory phenomenon that causes him to sees sounds visually, often as moving shapes, colors and textures. He pours himself into his debut, an outworking of his experiences of his condition, while inviting the listener into his world of sight and sound. Self-produced, 'The Prevailing' is made up largely of instrumentals, epic cinematic compositions which would suit many a film score. These follow a repetitive pattern, building slowly layer by layer from sparse piano or drum beat intros and increasing in dramatic intensity until they become sweeping, ambient arrangements and rich, sonic soundscapes of strings, drums, synths and vocals. Typical is the aptly named "The Processional", a grandiose, orchestral piece. Listening to "Wild Wood" you can almost feel the wind whistling through the trees. Gautier adds his rock vocals to some cuts, textured and nuanced to match the musical backdrop. Lyrics are self-penned; mystical, poetic musings on life, God and relationships written during a time of struggle in university. "Before You" is the most straightforward, a worship song to the God who saves.

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