Approaching this collection of songs with a sense of delicate appreciation balanced with artistic integrity, Audrey co-produces Inheritance with Daniel James (Canon Blue, Joy Williams, Among Savages). The resulting album projects a unique soundscape through a cinematic-styled approach featuring lush textures and wide, expansive rhythms that allow her voice to glide effortlessly over a diverse landscape of prayerful contemplation.
In many ways, a hymns album is a return home for Audrey who grew up learning to sing in a Plymouth Brethren community. “I was raised in a church where we didn’t use any instruments on Sunday mornings,” Audrey notes. “I learned to sing there, from the old hymnbooks, in four-part harmony, with my family and my neighbors. It was multi-generational, it was deep and rich and beautiful, and like most of my favorite worship music, it was steeped in community.”
All the songs on Inheritance infuse a modern sensibility with Audrey’s influences to form something entirely new.
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Soul Stirring and Stunning| Posted February 05, 2016
Audrey Assad is a critically lauded singer, songwriter and musician, as well as an author, speaker, producer and daughter of a Syrian refugee. Assad releases her second independent album, Inheritance, on February 12. This is a collection of hymns and original songs that both pay homage to her childhood heritage and to her Catholic faith and charismatic spirituality. From my first listen, I was totally captivated by this worship album by Audrey Assad. I'm really engaged by Audrey's emotional vocals and the deep, prayerful lyrics throughout the album. For me, Audrey brings sincerity and relatable themes that get deeper with each listen.
"Ubi Caritas" is sung in Latin and is a gorgeous offering to God, setting a reverent tone for the album. The album includes new recordings of some of Audrey's favorite songs of the faith. Don't miss her gorgeous renditions of "Holy, Holy, Holy" and "Be Thou My Vision." Both songs are absolutely incredible prayers, flawlessly delivered by Audrey's sweet and sincere vocals layered over textured and powerful musical arrangements.
I'm emotionally moved by the prayerful songs "I Wonder As I Wander," "How Can I Keep From Singing" and "O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus" as they proclaim my heart's cry to worship my King, Jesus. Those songs and their dependence on God have perfectly poetic biblical descriptions of God and are filled with piercingly difficult truths to believe all of the time. When you put yourself under a microscope and examine whether you really believe all of the words of these great songs, you'll find that it will challenge your faith and how closely you are walking with God. These songs also give insight into Audrey's walk as a fellow believer.
I find many of the songs, like "Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet" and "New Every Morning" are emotive and poetic descriptions of a beautiful picture of what Jesus did for us. You'll want to join fellow believers in singing these words. You'll be worshipping right along with Audrey. You can sincerely pray these biblical and prayerful words, clinging to the truth of these powerful songs. The word of the Lord doesn't return void, and this song puts God's Word in the mouths of believers, reminding them of the truth of God's promises.
My personal devotional prayer has been to have more faith, and "It is Well with My Soul" is my heart's cry and anthem to sing daily in praise to the Lord, regardless of my circumstances, doubts or worry.
I am very moved by "Even Unto Death," which features Matt Maher. Audrey's tender, emotive and powerful vocals take listeners on an emotional journey that gives me goose bumps every time I hear it. The song is a tribute to Christian martyrdom. The lyrics are very stirring: "Lover of my soul, even unto death, with my every breath, I will love You." The song is poignant and powerful with earnest, worshipful lyrics and reflects the boldness for Jesus to that I pray for my daughters to feel in their hearts as well. Join in with Audrey and proclaim, "Though I lose my life, though my breath be taken, I will wait for You...You are my glory!"
Closing Thoughts:
These excellent songs are all prayers and personal confessions of submission to God. These are great songs to pray along with Audrey and express your own yearnings for holiness and God's presence. There are no filler tracks, and this is easily one of my top "gourmet" albums of the year. If you want to experience an uplifting, soul-stirring, stunning and worshipful album, look no further. This is sure to be one of the top worship albums of the year. I'm sure it will continue to challenge, inspire and move me.
These are very passionate worship songs sung with vocal sincerity and reverence with biblically based lyrics. A sincere desire for the presence of God is found in every song. Every song will have you hanging on each word that Audrey tenderly sings. Her vocals will soothe your soul, and the vertical lyrics will direct your attention and focus to Jesus. This is a completely worshipful album. There are several personal songs that melt my heart, especially "Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet" and "New Every Morning."
There are several instantly sing-able and worshipful arrangements that you'll want to add to your Sunday morning set list. I especially recommend "Holy, Holy, Holy," "I Wonder As I Wander," "How Can I Keep From Singing," "O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus" and one of my top worship songs of the year, "Even Unto Death." All of the songs are memorable, reverent and worshipful. Inheritance is a must-have for your praise and worship collection. These are truly poignant songs of adoration for the Church.
Song to Download Now:
"Even Unto Death" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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