Audrey Assad – Heart (Review)

Sparrow Records

Release Date: February 14th 2012

Reviewed by Joshua Andre

Audrey Assad – Heart (Amazon Mp3/iTunes)

With Audrey Assad’s sophomore album ‘Heart’ releasing Valentines’ Day, this was one of the most anticipated albums of early 2012; and after first listen a few weeks ago, I can agree. Since the success of ‘The House You’re Building’ in 2010, with singles ‘For The Love Of You’ and ‘Restless’, 28 year old Audrey has released a Christmas Edition of her debut, an exclusive iTunes EP, and has also toured with Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher, Tenth Avenue North, and Jars of Clay. Her work thus far has been impressive, and ‘Heart’ does not disappoint, once again Audrey has collaborated with producer Marshall Altman crafting a batch of poignant songs.

Through her angelic voice and her skilful song writing, Audrey has depicted a story in 12 verses; a 50 minute tale about the human heart and relationships. What is challenging about Audrey’s songs, is that many of her songs are multi layered, her skill as a songwriter exemplary and in the league of Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, Brooke Fraser, and Bear Rinehart of Needtobreathe. This is highlighted all throughout.

In her first track ‘Blessed Are The Ones’, a piano driven jovial song; Audrey outlines her expectations of marriage, and this first song is a lyrical journey of such, given Audrey’s first year of marriage was a test beyond measure. As Audrey tells of God’s promise ‘…so further up and further in, we’ve got nowhere else to go, as we plant the seeds of toil and tears, it’s beauty we will sow…’ it is clear that she is talking about marriage between a man and his wife, as well as God and his believers. Both, when they start out, are as rosy as anything, but sometimes it takes hard work. In the end, the reward (an eternity with Jesus, as well as a lifetime with your spouse and children) in my opinion is well worth whatever cost to bear those benefits. As Audrey herself has testified through her husband’s ordeal of a battle with cancer, the listener is reminded of God’s promises. Audrey’s personal journey etched into the song is definitely a highlight on the album.

‘Even The Winter’, more so upbeat and hopeful, is next, and carries on from the theme of the first song. Talking about hardships, and choices when we are in a tough circumstance; Audrey also gives comfort to the listener, singing that the winter (symbolic of the storms in our lives) won’t last forever and that God has something in store for us following the storm beyond our wildest imaginations, which will be worth the pain. A closer glimpse at Audrey’s walk with God, Audrey pours her very soul out, and it’s hard not to get emotional when she cries ‘…we’ll wake up in April, ready and able, sowing the seeds and the soil of our love…’; we will all become stronger people through hardship.

These two songs set the bar high for the rest of the album, and Audrey continues to raise expectations further. ‘The Way You Move’, a slower ballad; tells a story of surrendering to Jesus, and how with all of our walls we build up and stubbornness in our ways, He will always catch us and ‘…[we] don’t stand a chance at all against the way You move…’ The first album single ‘Sparrow’ is next, a carefree happy-go-lucky pop song in which Audrey cheerfully paints a picture of how we do not need to be worried about the troubles of this world as God is here and his promises are always to be trusted and believed, as they are written in the Word. Because Jesus is in our lives we can ‘…sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, His eye is on the sparrow…He’s watching me…’

‘Breaking You’, one of the emotional songs on the album, is next, and Audrey puts herself in God’s shoes. From the opening stanza of this breathtaking piano driven slow ballad, Audrey, from the viewpoint of God, is telling us that even though we may have been let down, or suffered pain and hardship, through people that we love; while it breaks our hearts, it breaks God’s heart most of all. At this point, while the song may sound mellow, Audrey turns it around, and at the bridge tells the listener that help is on the way: ‘…lift up your eyes…it won’t pass you by, you just have to reach out your hand…’ Jesus is the remedy, and He will help us get through anything.

Rounding up the first half is the worshipful and peaceful piano based ‘O My Soul’, where Audrey reminds listeners that things of this world do not last, but God does ‘…O my soul, just love your God, your worries will never love you, they’ll leave you all alone, but your God will not forsake you, o my soul…’ A worthy end to a contemplative first half.

If the first half of ‘Heart’ was more introspective, then the latter half is definitely more outgoing and buoyant. In ‘Won Me Over’, driven by acoustic guitars and a southern sound on the electric guitar; Audrey joyfully sings about her testimony and salvation story which is sure to lift anyone up ‘…I was halfway gone and going nowhere, half alive until the day You won me over…’.

‘No Turning Back’ is where Audrey gracefully expresses, through acoustic driven piano pop; the changes in her lifestyle after becoming a new Christian ‘…I’m following behind You, I’m staying close beside You, I’ve got nothing to lose and I’ve got everything to find; There’s something is you laughter, that keeps me running after, I’m breathing to the beat of Your heart and leaving the world behind, no turning back…’ A song musically reminiscent of Brooke Fraser’s latest efforts of Flags; Audrey doesn’t compromise on her faith, clearly stating Jesus is the forefront of her life, as shown in the hymn re-write stanza of ‘I Have Decided’.

But the Christian walk sometimes doesn’t go to plan. As Audrey explains in the rousing ballad ‘Lament’, once we receive salvation and live for Jesus, sometime we subconsciously try to earn our way to God, and repeatedly try to be like Martha in the Bible, who was working to please Jesus all the time. Jesus wants us to be like Mary, who just sits at His feet and listens to what He has to say. Audrey wrestles with that tension in this song, and the lyrical content gives something to ponder.

‘Wherever You Go’, again from God’s perspective, is a confronting, but optimistic song about how you cannot hide from God, from what you have done, or what you feel, as ‘…I’m coming for you, wherever you go…’. Jesus promises to be everything we need, regardless if those that have loved you or others have betrayed you ‘…prophets and lovers don’t always hold true but I’m never going to stop falling for You…’

In the smooth and melodious ‘Slow’, Audrey unequivocally describes how we as Christians know that God is with us but in the fog of our life and our circumstances, somehow it hasn’t transferred to our hearts ‘…You’ve drawn so close it’s hard to find You, You speak so softly it’s hard to hear you…’ But what is highlighted later on is what Audrey stresses upon, that ‘…love moves slow…’ Sometimes God chooses to give us what we want at a later time that what we want, and a result of that is us trusting Him more with our lives, because our Father knows best.

The final song, ‘New Song’, brings the album to an epic finish. An honest anthem of praise to God that starts off with just the piano, but crescendos in the bridge to a full band; this is an utter praise song of abandonment and surrender to God. Audrey proclaims ‘…I need a new song…’ several times throughout, signifying the fact that God is bigger than we can ever imagine, so we continuously need a new song to praise Him. The choir and the drums added at the end of the song add a nice spontaneous touch.

As Audrey glorifies Jesus through song, I am marvelled at the maturity of her album compared her debut a mere 2 years ago; Audrey’s maturity, surprising most highlighted for me in the iTunes bonus track ‘The Other Side’, where Audrey cries out her frustrations about the brevity of life and how loved ones around us pass away. However hope is shown, as we know as Christians we will see each other in heaven.

What Audrey has accomplished over the past few years would make many other artists proud and happy for her. For me, Audrey as a songwriter and a teller of stories is in the same league as Jon Foreman from Switchfoot, Bear Rinehart from Needtobreathe, and Brooke Fraser; where she thoroughly deserves her place. With metaphors and imagery hiding in each crevice of each song, I am sure I will find more treasures as I delve into Audrey’s heart each time I listen to her warm and captivating voice. It’s hard to believe this is her second album, yet I am sure her third will even top this majestic effort! A Dove Award, or more, it’s definitely a no brainer…

Score: 4.75/5