We recently featured Heart Calls Love by Larry Karpenko, which served as a cosmic and euphoric exploration of love’s longing, so when we heard that the star was back with The River, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.
Drawing us in with a cinematic, orchestral energy, Larry Karpenko opens The River with a poignant and comforting message as he sings, “I have a place where I can run to and hide from this world outside, where I don’t pretend and in that place, I find security and peace…”
We learn that The River is about finding a special, peaceful sanctuary, symbolized by a river, where Larry can escape the hardships of life. There is a theatrical edge to production, and we could imagine the piece sitting perfectly in a Broadway play or at a church service.
This metaphorical depth of The River is designed to represent God’s love, offering comfort, strength, and healing during times of emotional struggle. Larry shares how he finds security and hope through faith, especially when feeling broken or weak. The message encourages us all to find our own sacred space, where we too can feel God’s presence and peace. In the end, the river becomes a symbol of spiritual connection and the promise of eternal comfort with God.
We love the soundscape that accompanies the message, it feels holistic, empowering and serene – in line with the concept of the song. Larry’s high emotional and spiritual quotient feels transcendental. With reference to the finale, Larry tells us, “A choir is introduced near the climax to bring emphasis to the emotional moment where one could imagine angels singing in heaven. It was a joy working with choir members of my local church to add their voices to The River.”
We learn that The River uses the serene Shenandoah River as both a literal and metaphorical setting for exploring the human longing for peace, safety, and spiritual connection. Through gentle instrumentation and vivid imagery, the song gradually unfolds into a powerful, emotional journey that culminates in a heavenly vision, blending original lyrics with the classic hymn Shall We Gather at the River.
Naturally, we have added The River to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Larry Karpenko‘s growing discography, and anticipate future releases from the talented creator!