You know that feeling when you're sick of rock music that sounds like it came from an AI factory? Well, Matt Sassano just dropped the antidote. His new single "Not Unreachable" (February 7th, 2025) is like that friend who shows up at 3 AM when you're having an existential crisis - raw, real, and exactly what you need. No fancy production tricks hiding empty lyrics, no spiritual guru wannabe vibes. Just a dude laying his soul bare through power chords and pure honesty. And man, does it hit different.
The track, produced by Disciple's Josiah Prince, marks a significant evolution in Sassano's musical trajectory. As a pastor's son from smalltown New York, Sassano's path to becoming one of Christian rock's most compelling voices has been anything but conventional. His musical DNA was shaped by the likes of Tooth & Nail bands such as Underoath, Seventh Day Slumber, and MxPx, influences that shine through in his signature blend of electronic rock and unflinching lyrical honesty.
"Not Unreachable" emerges from what Sassano describes as his darkest hour—a moment of spiritual crisis that left him questioning the very foundation of his faith. The song's genesis stems from a heated argument where Sassano found himself crossing what he perceived as an unforgivable line, hurling angry words at God himself. This raw confession serves as the emotional backbone of a track that resonates with anyone who's ever felt they've ventured too far into the darkness to find their way back.
The production masterfully mirrors this internal struggle. Prince's orchestral arrangements create a vast sonic landscape that captures both the isolation of spiritual doubt and the grandeur of potential redemption. The track builds from intimate verses, where Sassano's vocals carry the weight of regret, to explosive choruses that reach for something greater than human understanding.
This latest release follows an impressive string of successes for Sassano. His uninterrupted run of #1 tracks at rock radio includes hits like "Fuel," "Dear God," and "Not My Name." Each single has further cemented his reputation for crafting songs that tackle difficult subjects with both grace and grit. The release of his EP "In Defiance" in 2022 marked a turning point, establishing him as more than just another voice in the Christian rock scene—but as an artist willing to wade into the deeper waters of human experience.
"Not Unreachable" represents perhaps his most ambitious work to date. The track's signature line, "Go on and throw me a lifeline, I'll be sure to cut it and watch myself drown," encapsulates the self-destructive thoughts that often accompany spiritual crisis. It's a sentiment that will strike a chord with anyone who's ever struggled with forgiveness—whether divine or self-directed.
The song's arrangement draws favorable comparisons to Linkin Park's "Heavy" and Skillet's "Would It Matter," but Sassano's approach feels distinctly his own. There's an authenticity to his delivery that can't be manufactured, born from years of wrestling with anxiety and doubt. The production walks a delicate line between modern rock polish and raw emotional impact, creating space for both introspection and catharsis.
Central to both the song and Sassano's broader mission is the community he's built, known as The Defiant. This group of underdogs and warriors has become more than just a fan base—it's a support system for those fighting their own battles against doubt, anxiety, and self-condemnation. The song's message of hope, even in the darkest moments, serves as a rallying cry for this community.
What sets "Not Unreachable" apart is its unflinching look at the messier aspects of faith. Rather than offering easy answers or pat solutions, the song sits in the tension between doubt and belief, between self-sabotage and salvation. It's this honest approach that makes the track's ultimate message of hope all the more powerful—because it's hope that's been tested in the fires of real struggle.
For Sassano, the years following that moment of crisis were marked by crippling anxiety and self-doubt. Yet, through this experience, he's emerged with a message that resonates far beyond the confines of Christian rock. "Not Unreachable" speaks to anyone who's ever felt too far gone, too broken, or too lost to find their way back.
The track's release comes at a time when mental health discussions are increasingly moving to the forefront of public consciousness. Sassano's willingness to share his struggles, both through his music and his engagement with The Defiant community, provides a valuable voice in these conversations. It's a reminder that even our darkest moments don't define us—they can, instead, become the foundation for hope and healing.
As "Not Unreachable" finds its place on playlists and radio stations, its impact extends beyond mere musical success. It's a testament to the power of vulnerability in art, the importance of community in healing, and the enduring human capacity for hope. For Matt Sassano, it's another chapter in a career defined by turning pain into purpose. For his listeners, it's a reminder that no matter how far we think we've fallen, we're never truly unreachable.
The single is available now on all major streaming platforms, offering its message of hope and redemption to anyone who needs to hear it. In a music landscape often criticized for its superficiality, "Not Unreachable" stands as a powerful reminder of what can happen when artists dare to be honest about their struggles—and invite others to join them on the journey toward healing.