Despair but hope, doubt but faith. Life gives us unbelievable joys and deep sorrows, yet God keeps on. The band Carrollton, tells this truth through honest, open-handed songs born of questions, wonders and struggle.

Carrollton’s second album, Sunlight and Shadows, set to release September 18, is a hopeful testimony about that life in which beautiful, mountaintop days of sunshine mix with days in the shadows. Band members Jordan Bailey (bass), Michael Loy (drums), Jeremy Menard (lead guitar) and Justin Mosteller (lead vocals and guitar) bring listeners on the journey with them through powerful, faith-filled lyrics and driving beats. “The message of what we’re doing is that we believe God is with us in the good and the bad, and often in the mundane in-between” Justin says. “We’re trying to share that with people. We just want to put our hearts out there and see hope rise up.”

Trust in each other, in God and in their label, Centricity Music, led the band through the intense creation of Sunlight and Shadows. The band and producer Tedd T (for King & Country, Newsboys), collectively decided to start almost from scratch in the studio in spring 2015, rewriting songs they already had and creating new tunes over a total of eight days. “We knew from day one that we could have nothing at the end of it,” says Justin. “But what we came out with was stuff we loved.”

The four singer/songwriter/musicians formed the band seven years ago, leading worship at numerous youth camps, conferences and churches. The band takes its name from Carrollton, a small town in Kentucky, marking the half-way point between their hometowns of Cincinnati and Louisville.

The honesty and energy in their live performances have made Carrollton a sought-after worship band. “When a crowd comes in with expectancy to open-handedly worship with us, it’s amazing,” says Justin. “It’s different with every crowd. Sometimes I talk more. Other times, we just let the music talk. We think about what the room feels like and the energy they bring. How do we engage each other?”

Carrollton leads worship with a maturity that focuses less on performing the perfect set but more on following the Spirit’s lead. The men know they are not on stage for themselves. “Our whole goal behind everything is to do our best to get out of the way and just present an honest night,” says Michael. “All four of us write; all four of us are experiencing life. The good, the bad. We want to sing songs every night that tell that story,” says Justin.