Stephen Foster – “Sharing Perils”

Stephen Foster’s album, “Sharing Perils”, is a strong first full-length release from the Santa Cruz-based songwriter. It’s a mix of acoustic moments, layered instrumentals, and emotional contrasts that comes across clearly. There’s a lot of variety across the record, but it all feels tied together by a sense of calm and intention. Some tracks expand into fuller band sounds, while others pull back into something much quieter, almost bare. It shows he’s comfortable letting a song breathe without forcing it into anything bigger than it needs to be. Standouts like “Chimes” and “The Light” can easily stick in your head.

To be honest, I love how much his background in trumpet and classical training adds to the overall tone. Even when it’s just voice and guitar, there’s a measured pacing and attention to detail. The artwork deserves mention, a surreal black-and-white scene with a man and woman floating in front of a glowing moon, a dove above them, and a small glowing orb between their hands. It perfectly matches the balance of intimacy and expansiveness found in the music.

If you enjoy this album, it’s worth keeping up with Stephen Foster online and make sure to follow the artist on social media to hear about upcoming releases in 2025.