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It may have been three years between Natalie Grant's blockbuster release Awaken and her follow-up Relentless, but she's been far from idle. After hosting the 2007 Dove Awards (where she also took home Female Vocalist of the Year for the second consecutive year), the pop star continued her cycle of Women of Faith and Revolve conferences, while spearheading The Home Foundation to raise awareness about human trafficking—all while recording songs for her new album. And it's not like Grant's getting much sleep these days; she and husband/producer Bernie Herms welcomed twins Grace and Isabella into the world last year. That alone would be enough to wear out most, but as Grant shared with Christian Music Today, this hectic season fuels her "spirit of adventure" and her growing desire to reflect the love of God to a new generation.

Relentless continues in the direction you took with Awaken, growing from a singer into an artist who writes much of her own material. Do regret your earlier days as a pop diva?

Grant I wish I could make my first record go away, but at the same time, without that experience I would've never developed into a writer. So whether good or bad, it's here to stay and I always thank God for the second chance, third chance, and now fourth chance!

What is it you specifically dislike about your original sound nine years ago?

Grant At first, I just wanted to make a record, because I couldn't believe I got a record deal. But I wasn't driving the ship and the people working with me wanted me to be a [Christian] version of Celine Dion—I've always loved Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, but I never even listened to Celine! I think I was just so grateful to have that opportunity that I'd do whatever anyone would say in the studio and just show up and sing. I don't mean to blame anybody else for me being so dumb with my creative power, but when a young artist gives an inch to a record label, they'll go a mile. The reality is you're the artist and at the end of the day, you have to talk about what you want to be.

Obviously you've changed your tune and both critics and fans have caught on, particularly with your back to back Dove wins. Did the clout of those awards and the success of Awaken in general create any pressure when you were shaping Relentless?

Grant Curb is one of the few labels left that actually believes in artists. If you don't sell a ton of records, they believe in you anyway and let you try again when every other label would likely drop you. When you sign to Curb, you're there for the rest of your life. They've been great since the beginning, starting with Deeper Life in 2003. That album was actually the first time I was starting to write, and although it wasn't my favorite record, it was the first step in the right direction where they let me have a lot of say. Now every record we go in and they help accomplish the vision. So I can't say that the clout of the Doves had anything to do with it, but simply God blessing me with a great company!

What is the vision throughout this new project—stylistically and spiritually?

Grant Musically I wanted it be very live with lots of instruments—horns and other different elements I love to listen to. There are several different styles, but I wanted the production values to be raw and edgy. At the same time, the production and mastering quality was very important to me and I want it to stand up with the mainstream. If you were to put on Rihanna, Fergie, and then me, the quality would hopefully be no different.

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