Murfreesboro-area minister, motivational speaker and singer-songwriter Sarah Taylor Young has released her second EP, Step Into Freedom, a contemporary Christian-pop-country release with an immaculate message.

Young released Step Into Freedom in conjunction with the inaugural Stepping Into Freedom Conference, a domestic violence awareness seminar held at Murfreesboro’s Life Lift Church, where she also serves as a worship minister. At the conference, Young and husband Adam focused on domestic violence issues and shared their own journey in marriage, and the trials of overcoming the past.

Ultimately, a “you’re not alone” goes far these days.

Young’s vocal performance throughout Step Into Freedom demonstrates a deeply controlled craft, articulately projecting a trained voice and a disciplined timing. Production-wise, the five-track Step Into Freedom, produced by Brian White and Matt Houston, was mixed well, allowing the vocals to shine.

The songs on the EP, all co-written by Young along with her production duo, the artist’s father—accomplished Nashville songwriter Bobby Taylor—and others, carry an empowering, faith-based theme.

These are primarily feelgood, contemporary Christian-based, pop-country worship bangers with foot-tapping potential.

Young rejoices as she explores her country roots inspired by her earthly father in the Dad-and-daughter co-write “Woman at the Well,” as she also credits her Father above for inspiration. The EP’s upbeat, tribal drum-filled title track, “Step Into Freedom,” as well as “I Still Believe,” displays some hints of powerhouse countrywomen such as LeAnn Rimes and Shania Twain. The artist even shakes out signs of Shakira’s inspiration in “Love One Another.”

The remaining track, “How Was I to Know?” delves into slightly darker territory. A friendship song projecting posthumous respects and the artist’s own grief, “How Was I to Know?” (which could fit within a reflective rain montage in a ’90s dra-mance film) carries an understandably urgent, heavy reveal.

As a whole, Step Into Freedom stands as the artist’s inspired, musical testament of her spiritual journey, intimately vocalized and utilized to spread a helpful, empathetic word to anyone in a domestic predicament similar to the one Young found herself in the past. It’s a proper, original EP of worship with a personal touch.

For more on Sarah Taylor Young, visit sarahtayloryoung.com. Find her podcast Celebration Conversations, at listennotes.com, amazon.com and other podcast sources.

Life Lift Church is located at 4116 Florence Rd., Murfreesboro.