Audrey Assad’s robust voice, which recalls Paula Cole, can climb from gentle to gutsy in the same song—as it does on the opener, “Blessed Are the Ones.” Heart is a sunny pop affair, and Assad expresses herself with unadorned simplicity. On the piano-driven title track, she asks, “Why should I be lonely? / Long for heaven and home / When Jesus is my portion / And a constant friend I know.” The closer, “New Song,” builds over five-plus minutes into a satisfying coda of longing and weariness turned to praise.

Louis R. Carlozo

Louis R. Carlozo is a music producer in Chicago.

All articles »