13TH ANNUAL WE LOVE CHRISTIAN MUSIC AWARDS: Live Ceremony Tuesday, April 6, 2025 - Franklin, TN - Get Tix Here
Join The NRTeam
Songs of Assurance
Posted July 07, 2024
By KevinDavis_NRT, Staff Reviewer


What You Need to Know
Leanna Crawford is an up-and-coming pop artist who has captured the attention of many with her unique sound. GRAMMY-nominated and Dove Award winner Matthew West recognized her talent and began working with her to develop her skills. Her self-titled EP, released in 2020, featured the hit songs “Truth I’m Standing On,” “Photoshop," and "Mean Girls.”
 
Leanna recently married NBA player Cody Zeller. She has also released new singles, including “Before I Knew Jesus,” “Simple,” “Jesus Is,” and “How Can You Not,” which are part of her new album Still Waters.
 
Her encouragement shines through every song, with upbeat and infectious melodies layered beneath her strong and distinguished vocals.
 
Her songs are very upbeat and catchy, and Leanna is a great role model for girls. Her songs are loaded with positive grace-filled messages of hope, and they address the pressures of life. Leanna understands that true happiness and her identity only comes from her relationship with God including her catchy new single, “I Know a Place,” from Leanna’s much anticipated full-length studio album, Still Waters.

 
What it Sounds Like
“Still Waters (Psalm 23)” is an engaging song with Leanna’s passionate vocals setting the tone for this exceptional album. Several of Leanna’s songs over the years are accessible pop and worship songs that are deep in meaning and content and this album is no exception. So many people can relate to the messages of these songs. The standout songs also include “Before I Knew Jesus,” “Simple,” “How Can You Not,” "Rest," and “Jesus Is.” All of these songs and their dependence on God have perfectly poetic biblical descriptions of God and our identity in Him as His sons and daughters. Leanna’s vocals are so strong and pure.
 
The production on these ultra-catchy pop songs could easily be featured in mainstream music alongside top-selling artists. The album showcases Leanna’s gifts as a songwriter, and her shimmering, emotion-laden voice. This album is loaded with positive grace-filled messages of hope. Her songs address the pressures of life, and she understands that her identity only comes from her relationship with God.
 

Spiritual Highlights
Leanna has consistently impressed me with her mature faith and sincere desire to serve Jesus. You'll be blessed by these powerful songs which are all stand-out anthems with convicting declarations. “Jesus Is” reflects the thematic and biblical proclamations found in Hebrews 13:8. When you abide by His grace, you will experience a profound change in your life. His grace has the power to remove your worries, feelings of guilt, and shame. Remember that being His is sufficient. As the song says, regardless of the season or how you are feeling, you can be confident with all your heart: “With the scoundrels and drunkards/Lepers and me/On a hill far away/Between a couple of thieves/The last place on earth/You think He would be/But that’s right where Jesus is.”
 
The message of “How Can You Not” has lyrics that say you can always have assurance in your heart no matter the season or emotions you're feeling, “Everything is evidence/Showing me that You exist/All creation singing hallelujah.” The song is based on several biblical truths, including Psalm 19:1 and Lamentations 3:22:23. This song reminds us that God is in every little thing and moment of our lives. We can confidently say that we see God everywhere and feel loved by Him.
 
I find myself closest to Him in my times of prayer and reflection, especially with songs of praise and adoration like "Before I Knew Jesus." This song celebrates the day that we were saved from our sins, causing listeners to reflect on and celebrate their salvation experience. As Christians, we all can loudly proclaim: "Now I know freedom/Now I know hope/Now I know love that will never let go/Forever forgiven/Forever I'm changed/And there's no going back to the day/Before I knew Jesus."

 
Best Song on the Record
“Make It Through” is best described as an upbeat, empowering anthem to sing over ourselves and against fear, worry and anxiety. Musically the song builds to match the intensity of the lyrics and if you like “Truth I’m Standing On,” this song also has a striking message that stays with you throughout the day. This song is an excellent companion to sing over your life. The moving musical bed and biblical lyrics of “Still Waters (Psalm 23)” takes me on an emotional journey that causes me to excitedly sing along with the stirring lyrics every time I hear the song. “Jesus Is” is another standout ballad. My personal favorite song on the album is “Simple.” When you abide in His grace, you won’t be the same. His grace takes away anxiety, guilt, and shame. Know that being His is enough. As the song goes, no matter what season you are going through or how you are feeling, you can know with all your heart, “I know you think/One more bad move /And God will finally/Wash His hands of you/hold on/That couldn’t be more wrong.”

For Fans Of
Lauren Daigle, Hannah Kerr, Natalie Grant,  Riley Clemmons

Final Word
I absolutely love Leanna’s intentionality and complete focus on God's provision in her life. She is a uniquely gifted singer/songwriter with a big voice that is memorable and dynamic, yet intimate. These songs all have biblically-based lyrics that poignantly capture life's simple yet vital messages. I'm really engaged by the emotional vocals and the prayerful lyrics found in these sacred songs. Leanna’s vocals will soothe your soul, and the vertical lyrics will direct your attention and focus on Jesus. There are several personal songs that melt my heart, especially “Still Waters (Psalm 23),” “How Can You Not,” “Simple,” “Jesus Is,” "Rest," and “Vow to be Yours.” If you like female singers that make you think while you enjoy their catchy and empowering songs, then Still Waters is for you. I have three young daughters, and this is a solid upbeat album with positive biblical messages which is a great alternative to mainstream pop artists. This is easily one of my top albums of the year and the album is filled with songs of assurance.
 

View All Music And Book Reviews By KevinDavis_NRT | View KevinDavis_NRT's Profile

Christian Music, Facebook Christian Music, Twitter Christian Music, YouTube Christian Music, Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT

13TH ANNUAL WE LOVE CHRISTIAN MUSIC AWARDS: Live Ceremony Tuesday, April 6, 2025 - Franklin, TN - Get Tix Here

Christian Music

©2025 NewReleaseToday
A Division Of NRT Media Inc.

 

Secure
CHRISTIAN MUSIC
Discover New Artists
New This Week
Coming Soon
Playlists
Free Music
Album Reviews

NEWS
New Music
Movies / Media
Events
Tours
General

PODCASTS
NRT Now Podcast
NRT Podcast Network

VIDEOS
Music Videos
Exclusives

EXCLUSIVES
Articles
Devotionals
Interviews
Concert Reviews
We Love Awards

MORE INFO
RSS
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Advertising
Staff
New Music Email
Contact

RESOURCES
Music Studies
Artist Training

CONNECT
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube