Endearing in its vulnerability, the debut of the 27-year-old singer/songwriter reveals a woman with lots of questions and a love of literature. These two sources of inspiration fuel
Assad's modern coffeehouse vibe with themes of uncertainty.There's a girl-next-door air about her that makes her sound authentic and meaningful. Whether flexing her vocal muscles on the powerful first single "For Love of You," or channeling her inner
Stevie Nicks on the title track, she sings of her faith with infectious melody. The album is dominated by her modern, earthy folk-pop, and her tales of pressing on despite a lack of answers. Producer
Marshall Altman (
Marc Broussard,
Natasha Bedingfield,
Bethany Dillon) brought out many vocal intricacies that
Assad herself wasn't aware of until the recording of the album. Her love of literature inspired many tracks, from the poetry of Gerald Manley Hopkins and Francis Thompson to grander works by St. Augustine and C.S. Lewis.
Assad shows promise with her refusal to compromise and refreshing new sources for lyrics. ~ Jared Johnson