Audrey Assad - The House You’re Building

Producer: Marshall Altman
Record Label: Sparrow Records/EMI Christian Music Group
Website: http://www.audreyassad.com

Let’s be honest - there wasn’t a whole lot to like about Chris Tomlin’s Christmas album Glory In the Highest. However, the one song that almost everyone mentions when they bring up that record is Tomlin’s inclusion of Audrey Assad on the song “Winter Snow.” There was something about her voice and hand in writing the song that really took things to another level. Assad landed herself a deal on Sparrow Records in addition to touring alongside acts like Chris Tomlin, Tenth Avenue North, and Matt Maher. Sparrow Records is now releasing her debut solo album The House You’re Building - an album that showcases the beauty of Assad’s voice and strength of her pen.  Assad’s take on music is like a breath of fresh air - recalling Brooke Fraser with shades of Bethany Dillon, Nichole Nordeman, and Sara Groves vocally. Assad’s sound is an interesting blend of Top 40 and artistic expression - especially on cuts like “For Love of You,” “Come Clean,” and “Breaking Through.” Assad’s articulate expression cuts through the simple melodies and keeps the listener engaged. Her love for literature no doubt helps keep her creative juices flowing - and she gleaned inspiration for these songs from likes of C.S. Lewis, St. Augustine, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and Francis Thompson, just to name a few. Lyrically, her songs touch on aspects of life that someone 10 years her senior should be talking about - especially on songs like the strikingly beautiful “Restless” and heart-felt “Show Me.” “The House You’re Building” is an extremely personal tune that talks about the misfits and outcasts all being a part of the Kingdom of God. Marshall Altman (Marc Broussard, Natatsha Bedingfield, Brooke Fraser) uses simple production and bare-bones tracks to really put these songs out there. They aren’t muddied down with over-production and heavy orchestration. The songs speak for themselves and Assad does a fantastic job of vocalizing them. It’s very rare that an album comes out of the chute with such mature lyrics and compelling music. Not since Nichole Nordeman has such an honest and compelling artist debuted on the Christian music scene. Audrey Assad is definitely on the right track with The House You’re Building.

Track listing:

1. For Love of You
2. The House You’re Building
3. Breaking Through
4. Everything is Yours
5. Restless
6. Carry Me
7. Ought to Be
8. Known
9. Come Clean
10. Run Forward
11. Show Me