Oozing spirit and individuality, Allen Stone has been compared to the likes of Stevie Wonder, and that statement in itself speaks volumes about his musical abilities. Stone has evolved from his gospel roots where he sang in his father’s small church in Chewelah, Washington to topping Billboard’s Heatseekers chart for emerging artists.

Stone grew up on hymns and worship music with little exposure to secular music. You wouldn’t catch top 40 hits playing in his earbuds but this seems to have shaped his musical endeavors. Influenced by classical music and golden age singers/songwriters, Stone found his niche and honed in it. Taking a detour, he enrolled in Bible college but soon realized it wasn’t a fit. Dropping out and moving to Seattle was the next move – and probably the best move. Stone focused then on curating his own music and forming a band he could be proud of. Their presence could be found up and down the West Coast and soon enough, they got a reputation for their compelling stage presence and potent lyrics.

Since finding his footing back in 2009, Stone has gained nearly 585,000 followers on Spotify and been touring across the country. He has released 4 successful albums and worked with dynamic musicians like Miles Davis’ Keyboardist, Deron Johnson as well as Andy Grammer. His route to fame has included appearing on noteworthy shows such as Conan, not once, but twice, and singing his hit titled “Sleep” on The Ellen Degenerous Show. Stone’s musical journey has been linear and progressed at an admirably consistent pace – one that has unraveled seamlessly and is abundantly deserving.

Stone truly outdid himself with recent album, Building Balance. All 14 tracks seem to hold true to his folk roots but traces of other genres peak through and it’s a joy to listen to – Some might say his best crafted album to date. One of my personal favorites, “Sunny Days” is very R&B driven and experimental. I find it to be reminiscent of Jon Bellion and it’s kind of sensual which is unexpected. This song is what we didn’t think we needed but is somehow exactly what we were hoping for. Songs like “Warrior” and “Sweater” are funky and upbeat but teeter on the verge of pop while still featuring Stone’s well-adored full-bodied vocals and compelling lyrics. “Brown Eyed Lover” is a fan favorite and is another genre-bending song. It is simultaneously neo-soul and pop and this combo is as fun as it gets! I want to hear it in the car and in the shower AND in the club. This kind of versatility is proof of a praiseworthy song and a praiseworthy artist.

Allen Stone is eclectic and daring in his musical efforts and for this, he is well admired. His ambition and vulnerability got him noticed but his spirited blend of rhythm, soul and funk will continue to project him to the top of charts.

To learn more about Allen Stone, purchase an album, or find dates for the Building Balance tour click here.

Equal Parts Spunk and Soul: A Review Of Allen Stone's New Album Building Balance