Life can be brutal, but there is hope. God is good. And wise. And He can and does turn turmoil into treasure. Bruises Become Bronze, vagrant moon’s sophomore release, explores the themes of suffering and grace, testifying to the truth that there is light at the end of every slow, dark tunnel. A native of Louisville, Ky., vagrant moon delivers his usual acoustic-inspired, rootsy sound with some sonic surprises thrown in along the way. The essence of the music is surely folk, with the lyrics front and center. The journey is bittersweet. “Been Dyin’” finds vagrant moon exploring his rock n’ roll side with Louisville band The American Freedom Machine, complete with twangy guitars and a rockin’ rhythm. The overall theme of the album is embodied in the folksy standouts “The Harder They Come” and “Radiate,” where the artist proclaims troubles always pass, but only after improving the human experience. All in all, Bruises Become Bronze should prove to arrest both heart and soul, as it challenges popular notions with a musical grace.