|PIC1|Popular US Christian artist, Bethany Dillon, who released her 2004 self-titled debut album to commercial and critical acclaim at the age of fifteen, returns today (April 3) in the US with a new studio project, Waking Up.

Interactive online magazine Suite 101 has already deemed the set "deeply satisfying on several levels".

Led by first single "The Kingdom", now available at iTunes, Waking Up reflects Dillon's artistic and spiritual growth. Now eighteen, she claims to have experienced faith in profound new ways, especially after a recent mission trip to India.

Says Dillon: "I feel like God is widening my eyes as I'm walking in this new season."

Waking Up is produced by Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin), John Alagia (John Mayer, Dave Matthews), and Will Hunt (Shane & Shane). Other standout songs on the album include the vocally dynamic "Let Your Light Shine" and the emotional "Are You Sure" which Bethany described to Christian Retailing magazine as "the first real love song that I've written . . . It's one of my favourite moments on the record."

Suite 101 also points out the "beautifully arranged" track "On Our Side", that "will stop you cold with its gutsy honesty . . . our little Bethany Dillon is all grown-up now".

For more information on Dillon, go to bethanydillon.com.