GRAMMY®-nominated artist and Christian Music’s best-selling new artist in 10 years, Francesca Battistelli releases her third studio album, If We’re Honest, everywhere today. Her two previous albums, debut release My Paper Heart and sophomore effort Hundred More Years, hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Albums chart and garnered Battistelli a GRAMMY® nomination and Dove Awards’ 2011 “Artist of the Year” honors. In addition, My Paper Heart received RIAA Gold certification marking the only debut album from a CCM artist in 10 years to receive the status.
Last Thursday, she also received a Gold record for her second single “Free To Be Me” which spent ten consecutive weeks at No. 1 on CHR and two consecutive weeks at No. 1 on AC Monitored. This Friday, Battistelli will perform the album’s lead single, “Write Your Story,” No. 1 this week at Hot AC / CHR and AC, on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.” Earlier this year she made her national morning TV debut performing it on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Battistelli is also featured on SiriusXM’s “The Message: Delivered Live” for a 60-minute special performing songs from If We’re Honest for a live studio audience today at 2pm ET and rebroadcast on Saturday at 8am ET and Sunday at 3pm and 9pm ET.
Produced by GRAMMY®-nominated and Dove Award-winning producer and her longtime collaborator Ian Eskelin, If We’re Honest reveals her most intimate and accomplished musical statement yet and showcases her trademark pop and soul-infused sound. “This album is a really good reflection of where I am right now,” said Battistelli. “My family and I moved back to Nashville in May, and I went right to work writing for this album. From my perspective, it felt like the pressure was off after that famously terrifying second album and all that was happening back then. This time around, I really just let go of all that self-imposed pressure. Somehow I felt as though I didn’t have to prove as much, even to myself, and I think that allowed me to do my best work.”
If We’re Honest has critics applauding:
“Powerhouse singer/songwriter Francesca Battistelli just keeps getting better…it appears the mutli-talented Battistelli has only dug further for this beautiful project. The result is perfection.”
– CCM Magazine
“With enough soulful familiarity to satisfy, and the careful touch of some new sonic elements to keep things fresh, listeners have much reason to rejoice with the release of this album. It is undoubtedly Francesca’s best yet, and one of the must-own highlights of the year.”
– New Release Tuesday (5/5 stars)
“If We’re Honest, produced by Ian Eskelin, is Francesca’s most mature and complete album to date, and my favorite album of the year.”
– Christian Music Zone
“A must-have, inspiring, and soulful album…If We’re Honest, is an uplifting masterpiece that digs deep into Francesca’s musical canvas…”
– Rockin’ God’s House
“If We’re Honest propels Battistelli to the next level sonically… [It] showcases Battistelli’s ability to pen shimmering pop songs filled with relatable lyrics, making Franny feel more like a friend than an award-winning pop songstress.”
– Living Light News & The Sound Opinion (5/5 Stars)
“The truths imparted on these tracks are vital to our spiritual well being.”
– Christian Music Review
If We’re Honest track listing:
- Write Your Story – written by Francesca Battistelli, David Arthur Garcia and Ben Glover
- When The Crazy Kicks In – written by Francesca Battistelli , Ian Eskelin and Tony Wood
- He Knows My Name – written by Francesca Battistelli, Mia Fieldes and Seth Mosley
- Unusual – written by Francesca Battistelli, Ian Eskelin and Tony Wood
- Choose To Love – written by Francesca Battistelli, Justin Ebach and Tony Wood
- Run To Jesus – written by Francesca Battistelli, David Arthur Garcia, Ben Glover and Jennifer Schott
- Find Rest – written by Francesca Battistelli, Jared Anderson and Ian Eskelin
- If We’re Honest – written by Francesca Battistelli, Jeff Pardo and Molly E. Reed
- Giants Fall – written by Francesca Battistelli, Jeff Pardo and Molly E. Reed
- Hands Of God (Feat. Matt Hammitt) – written by Francesca Battistelli, Matt Hammitt and Seth Mosley
- We Are The Kingdom – written by Francesca Battistelli, Casey Brown and Jonathan Smith
Deluxe Edition:
- Holy Spirit – written by Brian & Katie Torwalt
- Keeping Score – written by Francesca Battistelli and Ben Glover
- I Am Home – written by Francesca Battistelli, Ian Eskelin and Tony Wood
- Tonight (Feat. All Sons & Daughters) – written by Francesca Battistelli, Leslie Jordan and David Leonard
Battistelli just wrapped up the Word Entertainment / LightWorkers Media (Mark Burnett and Roma Downey) partnership “The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014,” in association with 20th Century Fox feature film “Son of God” and epic mini-series “The Bible,” with Sidewalk Prophets, Natalie Grant, Chris August, Meredith Andrews and Jason Gray. This spring/summer she can be seen throughout the country at numerous fairs and festivals prior to launching a headlining tour in the fall.
