Flyleaf - New Horizons

Announcing that Lacey Sturm was leaving Flyleaf right before the release of the band's third full-length, New Horizons, really brings a different perspective to the album name and title track. It brings an interesting perspective to listening to the album.

New Horizons might be a new chapter for Flyleaf but fans of the bands won't be disappointed with Sturm's final outing. While there are more melodic elements on New Horizons, the album is still all Flyleaf. Fire Fire has a great riff that brings the album in softly before exploding into the chorus. New Horizons was a perfect lead single. A great melody and catchy hook keep the track light and fresh, perfect for radio play. Lyrically New Horizons is about a fresh perspective and hope. No matter how bad life seems, there's always some better to come. And it's a reminder that lyrically is where Flyleaf could really miss Lacey. Her hope and faith, always coming through in every song she wrote, was the real draw and appeal of the band and is going to be a hard to replace her honesty.

There are some great ballads (Cage on the Ground, Great Love, Saving Grace) and some really nice hard hitting tracks (Call You Out, Green Hearts) that really make New Horizons a balanced record. It's a great way to close this chapter of Flyleaf. Lacey will be missed for sure but it's good to hear her voice one last time.