Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review


Audrey Assad, Eden EP
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Audrey Assad
Eden EP



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Indie Pop
Album length: 6 tracks: 25 minutes, 24 seconds
Street Date: September 4, 2020


READER RATING:   


Audrey Assad is a worship artist that has done it all at this point. Mainstream success, classic albums, a multitude of collaborations, a solid discography - she's accomplished as much as any musician in today's industry could hope for. Some might say there's not much ground left for her to traverse, but since 2018's Evergreen, it's clear that the focus of her work has become much more autobiographical. That release saw Assad struggle through a painful period of deconstruction only to emerge with a more wild, irrational faith. On the other side of that hill is Eden, which finds Assad at her most peaceful and regenerated, despite the songs being confined to a fairly bland electronic setting.

On the one hand, Assad's complete embrace of synths and drum pads is a bold choice. It's a move that sensibly adds color to her traditionally simplistic songwriting, and it contrasts well with her airy, vulnerable voice. On the other, the songs don't do enough with her new style beyond providing atmosphere and a sense of cohesion. "Shiloh" is electronic pop that goes as unremarkably as it comes. Following that is the best track on the EP, "Island." It's consistently upbeat, features the catchiest chorus here, and has a surprisingly funky bridge with a popping bassline. That momentary switch back to an acoustic setting doesn't completely fit, but it happens to be the best passage on the track list. As for the other originals, "Find You" is the most structurally intriguing with its primarily instrumental section persisting for most of its repetitive runtime. Unfortunately, the title track itself is pretty tame inspirational pop; it isn't bad, it's just largely forgettable.

On an EP mixed with hits and misses, the most interesting song choices are the covers. They sound exactly as you might expect, but hearing "The Middle" and "Yellow" recontextualized into spiritual settings actually works quite nicely. They clearly fit into the narrative Assad is depicting. Assad should be commended for diving headfirst into a fairly unfamiliar instrumental disposition, even if it doesn't always provide a unique listening experience. What's most pleasant about Eden is the lyrical peace Assad seems to have found. As she says on "Find You," "If I make my bed below the earth/I will find You." To be able to sing that and truly believe that takes a lot of work, and that faith process shines throughout the entirety of Eden.

- Review date: 9/14/20, written by Mason Haynie of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Try Pop Culture Coffee!

 

. Record Label: Fortunate Fall Records
. Album length: 6 tracks: 25 minutes, 24 seconds
. Street Date: September 4, 2020
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Google Play
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Shiloh (4:28)
  2. Island (4:34)
  3. The Middle (3:16)
  4. Find You (4:54)
  5. Eden (3:58)
  6. Yellow (4:12)

 

 JFH Album Sample Player

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Try Pop Culture Coffee!

Search JFH



This Tuesday, June 3, 2025
SINGLES
Sixpence None The Richer The Needle and the Damage Done - Single [Flatiron]

This Friday, June 6, 2025
ALBUMS
CCV Hollow (Deluxe) (independent)
Ben Fuller Walk Through Fire [Provident]
Hopeful. The Wild One - EP (independent)
Christy Nockels King Who Never Sleeps; Anthems for Rest [The Fuel]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down My Will - Single [BEC]
Bill B. & Cyrus Sonata Kevlar - Single [Syntax]
Elan Brio I'm Satisfied (ft. Henry Israel) - Single (independent)
Aaron Cole NOBODY BUT GOD - Single [Provident]
Equippers Worship Living in Freedom (Live) - Single [DREAM]
Good Weather Forecast Pray - Single [DREAM]
Ic3rd & EJ Swavv Woke Up (ft. CJ Emulous & George.Rose) - Single [Syntax]
King David tha Vessel Consistant - Single (independent)
Brandon Lake Daddy's DNA [Provident]
Myles Maestro Flood (ft. Ace Savage & Shruumi) - Single [Syntax]
Mell Omii Wave - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Mr. Pilot - Single [Syntax]
River Valley Worship Time For Revival - Single [BEC]
Roy Tosh Everything's Gonna Be Alright (feat. PEABOD) - Single [RMG Amplify]
Solachi Voz All I Need - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Genesis (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]
Ayiesha Woods I Have Hope - Single [Backsider]

VINYL
Ironwrath Master Storyteller Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, June 13, 2025
ALBUMS
Coqui Death to Your Ego [DREAM]
King's Hammer To Speak In Tongues - EP [Rottweiler]
Brandon Lake King Of Hearts [Provident]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]
War of Ages Eternal (15th Anniversary Edition) [Facedown]

SINGLES
CalledOut Music Worthy of It All - Single [Integrity]
Equippers Worship Garment of Praise - Single [DREAM]
Mainstream Worship Near - Single [DREAM Worship]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images