The award-winning North Carolinian Meredith Andrews kicked off 2016 with Deeper, the fifth and newest addition to her ever-expanding discography. Considering the fact that Meredith currently leads worship for Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago, it's no surprise to find the album firmly grips the aesthetic that normally pursues contemporary worship music - but only to a point. As has been seen in albums past, like Worth It All, Andrews has an affinity for allowing electric and acoustic instruments to work together, serving to create a continuous and always expanding collection of sound.

Since 2008, it's become apparent that Meredith flourishes under these circumstances. Each song manages to stand strongly on its own as the production and arrangements flawlessly render a landscape filled with hopeful lyrics and a bright lining. Adding to that, Meredith clearly knows how to tackle more than just one emotion to satisfy her like-wise three-dimensional fans. Tracks vary as far as the inspirational ("Deeper") to the repentant ("Take Me Back") to the plain excited ("Sunrise") and all with a genuine spirit in her voice to give it vigor. I especially enjoyed the track "Impossible". While recalling the old-testament accomplishments of God, Meredith builds up in a beautiful chorus to exclaim that it's evident God will never fail in his endeavors, whether that be to slay the giants of old or instill faith into the doubting believer.

Though Deeper may be polished to a near perfect degree in production and performance, I still find it lacking greatly in originality as far as the actual content is concerned. It favors a tame and easy-listening approach over a challenging or engaging one. I believe Meredith still has an incredible amount of potential left in her career as a musician. My hope is that with her team of musicians, producers, family and ultimately God continuing to support her art, Andrews will learn to abandon conventionality and embrace a more bold palette to accompany the artist within her that so yearns to express itself outside of the walls that tradition has built. Take that leap of faith, for the Lord is with you. After all, "it's impossible for You to fail."

- Review date: 3/15/16, written by Bersain Beristain of Jesusfreakhideout.com