Life experiences and her characteristic scripture base accentuate Bethany Dillon's confessional album Stop & Listen, another noteworthy effort by the acoustic pop artist. Since 2008's In Christ Alone, Dillon wed Shane Barnard of worship duo Shane & Shane, and found herself illuminating a new chapter as an artist. More than ever before, her lyrics speak of taking in the moments of life and acknowledging her faults in that effort. This album sees the songstress planting herself firmly within her musical comfort zone, penning track after track of introspection that continues to impress in its wisdom. And while she still commands that space, her conscious decision to remain on the lighter side of things yet again may satisfy some, while leaving other fans slightly deterred at the lack of more risk-taking or alteration in her sound. That said, Dillon is a master of her folk-pop sound and utilizes it well to convey powerful faith-based messages on this record. ~ Jared Johnson, All Music Guide
In the case of many 15-year-old performers, the pre-recorded tracks and dance moves serve as the backdrop to launch a career that's often void of authenticity. With that said, Bethany Dillon is absolutely the real deal. As a writer or co-writer on ten of her discs eleven tracks Dillon proves that an acoustic guitar and divine inspiration are food for the soul. Citing Jennifer Knapp as her main influence it's easy to see why as many of her cuts retain the same depth as Knapp's compositions. Songs like "Revolutionaries" and "For My Love" have an emotional intensity that is rarely featured in the psyche of most 15-year-olds. Cuts like "Great Big Mystery" are bolstered with effective electric riffs while Dillon's vocals push the songs' chorus into overdrive. Lyrically the depth of the disc is unsurpassed. Dillon's offerings on tracks like "Beautiful" and "A Voice Calling Out" are two of many lyrical gems. What's so appealing about this release is the bevy of musical textures. On some cuts the mandolin and banjo are utilized, while on others strings and bagpipes layer the voicings. Bethany Dillon's debut opus is an incredibly rich example of unadulterated passion for her Creator, a passion that permeates every single cut. ~ Steven Douglas Losey, All Music Guide