The Fruitful Darkness has been characterized by Trevor Hall as “a journey,” “a story of cycles” and an exploration “of light and dark, of life and art.” It’s also his first independent release, funded via Kickstarter by over 2,200 fans. Through 15 tracks the singer reflects on astrology and the cosmos—among other things—name-dropping celestial bodies on songs like “Moon/Sun” and “Jupiter’s Call.” Specifically, the album is named after Roshi Joan Halifax’s book of Buddhism, shamanism and eastern spirituality. Hall even went as far as to seek Halifax’s permission to use the phrase. After opening meditations on the title track “The Fruitful Darkness” and “Sagittarius,” Hall finds himself on “Arrows,” singing defiantly, “The dark is all around me, but I’m so glad it found me.” It’s a theme that reverberates through the LP (and the book it was named for): Oftentimes, pain begets progress and the darkness of the unknown can be embraced. On the mid-album, “What I Know” Hall observes, “You see, the answer I am no more seeking/ Only love I’m keeping.” Hall has made a career out of being a seeker-turned-musician but, on this new outing, he seems more centered than usual, surrendering to the ways of the universe and embracing the titular “Fruitful Darkness.” That maturity is encapsulated in the LP’s mantra-like closer “Everything I Need,” where he repeats, “I have everything I need.” It’s not an act of denial, but contentment. In 51 minutes, The Fruitful Darkness takes stock of Hall’s inner world and, as you observe him wade through the abyss, he challenges you to do the same.