"[4] Christianity Today's Andy Argyrakis said "When Matthew West was putting together 2010's The Story of Your Life, he asked fans for their stories—and received thousands of responses.

Those replies continue to inspire on Into the Light, in which the singer/songwriter gives a voice to listeners dealing with abusive relationships, drug addiction, and even a mother who forgave then befriended a drunk driver who killed her daughter.

The muses may be second hand, but West has no problem personifying the gut-wrenching emotions, plus a few praise affirmations, over a backdrop of crisp guitars, assertive pianos, and compassionate vocals.

The songs maintain the anthemic quality of the previous album but have a distinctiveness of their own and they each provide thought provoking lyrics without descending to clichés about the situations they describe.

With a strong emphasis on the power of stories to fuel inward change through the continual work of Christ inside each of us; this album is lyrically and musically Matthew’s best".

[7] In addition, Andre wrote "with ‘Forgiveness’ almost certain to win ‘Song of the Year’ at the 2013 Dove Awards, Matthew's melodies have become an anthem and an encouragement for many, reminding us all of the beckoning of Christ as we step from normalcy to extraordinary, from mundane to impacting, from usual to unusual.

Well done Matthew for creating 12 songs full of lyrical richness, reminding everyone that ‘…there’s a break in the clouds, the sun’s raining down, it’s calling me out, this is my hallelujah…’ (‘Into the Light’)!

Potential new converts aside, Into the Light is, at its heart, a textbook example of thoughtful, well-performed pop and arguably stands as West's strongest - and, ironically, most consistent - release to date.

"[10] In addition, Davis wrote that "if you want to be challenged, moved, and step 'into the light' with songs inspired by real life stories, then don’t miss this album.

[10] New Release Tuesday's Kelly Sheads said "it's rare when I can honestly say every song on an album has the ability to be a single, but in the case of Into The Light, it's true.

"[11] Worship Leader's Jeremy Armstrong said "West plies commanding pipes to power-guitar-pop with a post grunge ready-for-mainstream pleasantness.

If you mix Stephen Curtis Chapman’s tight songwriting with MercyMe’s power rock you come out with Into the Light, Matthew West’s fourth studio project.

And though there is a clear production sheen and accessibility, the key with West goes beyond his catchy writing style—he fills his radio-ready tunes with a heart and depth rarely heard on the waves.

"[12] Furthermore, Armstrongs wrote "the stories in the songs lean closer to expositions than unfolding plots, but the heart and the intent is still as potent as a well-crafted sermon that has been put to catchy three-and-a-half-minute melodies.

At once heady and emotional, entertaining and provocative, Into the Light is a braided coil where West charges headlong into deep issues and Christ’s world-saving solution, all with a listenable musical quality.