A Deeper Level cover

A Deeper Level

Israel Houghton · 2007

79 min · 17 tracks · contemporary Christian music

A vibrant blend of contemporary worship and gospel, filled with soaring vocals and heartfelt instrumentation.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    I Know Who I Am — This track is an anthem of identity and self-affirmation, featuring powerful lyrics and an uplifting melody that encourages listeners to embrace their worth.
  • →
    Prayers of the Righteous — With its deep spiritual message and rich harmonies, this song exemplifies the album's focus on prayer and divine connection, resonating deeply with congregational worship.
  • →
    You Are Not Forgotten — This poignant track addresses feelings of abandonment and hopelessness while delivering a message of hope and reassurance, making it a meaningful addition to worship services.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends worship and gospel elements effectively, though it follows familiar patterns within its genre.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a brief intro track that sets a spiritual tone, followed by a series of songs that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace.
  • Several tracks feature spoken interludes that provide context and reflection, breaking up the musical flow.
  • The last three tracks gradually decrease in tempo, creating a contemplative atmosphere as the album concludes.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • uplifting moments of spiritual connection
  • dynamic progression with emotional resolution
  • wave-like pacing for reflective listening
  • inviting anthems for group worship

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking quick, standalone tracks
  • prefer upbeat, high-energy sessions

Where this album fits

Career context
By the time Israel Houghton released A Deeper Level in 2007, he was already a respected figure in contemporary Christian music, having gained recognition for his previous work with the group Israel & New Breed. This album came after his Grammy win for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for his earlier project, Live from Another Level, marking a significant moment in his career as he continued to shape modern worship music.
Stylistic neighbors
Chris Tomlin· Michael W. Smith· Kirk Franklin

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 So Come (intro) 1:55
  • 2 So Come 3:45
  • 3 Prayers of the Righteous 6:22
  • 4 Say So 4:30
  • 5 With Long Life 6:06
  • 6 With Long Life (Speaking) 2:24
  • 7 Identity 4:11
  • 8 I Know Who I Am 5:58
  • 9 I Will Search for You 6:35
  • 10 Surely Surely 7:25
  • 11 Surely Surely (Speaking) 2:53
  • 12 If Not for Your Grace 7:50
  • 13 Deeper Prayer 2:13
  • 14 Deeper 6:45
  • 15 We Have Overcome 4:40
  • 16 Overcomerture 1:29
  • 17 You Are Not Forgotten 4:09

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata