What a week it has been for Sparrow Records singer-songwriter Audrey Assad, whose critically adored sophomore album, Heart, bowed on Valentine’s Day to across-the-board praise and her highest sales-week numbers to date. Heart ranked in at No. 3 on the Christian Soundscan chart, selling over 7,300 units, giving her a 185 percent sales increase over the debut week of her last album, The House You’re Building. The CD also crowned the iTunes ® Christian & Gospel Albums chart and reached No. 18 on the overall iTunes ® Albums chart. In addition, before Heart’s release, Rhapsody named it one of their “Most Anticipated Albums of 2012.”
Here is just some of the acclaim being heaped on Assad:
“This thoughtful, cerebral singer-songwriter has a unique approach… In an industry that can be confining at times, Assad shines as a true original.” -Rhapsody
“…the New Jersey native adopts a gorgeously understated and stripped-back approach that allows her fragile ethereal vocals to take center stage…Heart is, on the whole, an impassioned and sincere affair worthy of joining recent efforts from Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles…” – All Music Guide
“Albums this thoughtful and mature are very rare on just your second try, and Assad has clearly spent time cultivating a sound and message that are completely true to her artistic vision. Even fans of edgier music can’t deny the powerful honesty and authenticity of Audrey Assad’s Heart.”
– Christian Musician
“Reminiscent of Joni Mitchell and Carole King, Heart, is a great sophomore effort by a talented artist…” – Worship Leader
“If Audrey’s debut album was to show the world what a talented singer and songwriter she is, then Heart does this in abundance, adding an extra edge of maturity. “Breaking You”…shows Audrey at her best. And when she is at her best, no other singer gets close to her.”
–LouderThanTheMusic.com
“Sparrow,” the debut single from Heart, is currently No. 5 on Soft AC/Inspo Monitored chart, with it being the most-added track on that chart this week.
The singer-songwriter and multiple GMA Dove Award nominee recently wrapped a stint on Matt Maher’s “The Love In Between” tour, having performed in markets including St. Louis, Washington D.C., and New Orleans, among others. Beginning March 23 in Red Bluff, Calif., Assad will pair with singer-songwriter JJ Heller for a spring co-headlining tour that concludes on April 26 in Raleigh, N.C. For all tour information, visit www.audreyassad.com.
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About Audrey Assad:
28-year-old, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Audrey Assad propelled to the forefront of Christian music with her debut album on Sparrow Records titled The House You’re Building. Produced by Marshall Altman (Brooke Fraser, Natasha Bedingfield, William Fitzsimmons, Marc Broussard), the record released in the summer of 2010 to much acclaim. Assad’s fresh sound was named among the best of 2010 from Relevant Magazine, Rhapsody.com, Gospel Music Channel online and more and was profiled on CNN Online. In addition, The House You’re Building was named Amazon.com’s “Best Christian Music of 2010” and iTunes ® Christian & Gospel “Breakthrough Album of the Year.”
Recently married, Audrey found her songs expressing the joys and struggles of fighting for lasting love. She draws her inspiration from this introspection, as well as classic literature and songwriters like Paul Simon and James Taylor. Her collaborations with everyone from Chris Tomlin to Jars of Clay have marked her celebrated songwriting and vocal talent. Assad released an exclusive iTunes ® Live from SoHo album in August. She released her sophomore album, Heart, on February 14, 2012, also produced by Altman.
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