Christian artist Joseph Habedank is no stranger to writing songs about real life. However, for the first time, the decorated vocalist is diving deep into his storytelling tendencies for an album that's, quite possibly, his most personal undertaking yet. Aptly titled autobiography (Daywind Records), Habedank's fifth studio effort effectively sets his own story to music.

Habedank has been weaving his life into melodies since his acclaimed solo debut, Welcome Home, bowed in 2014. He's gone on to garner two GRAMMY® nominations and three GMA Dove Awards, but it's his signature honesty that's captured the attention of listeners for the past two decades of his professional tenure.

The Ohio native remains an open book on autobiography. Lyrically, the record's 12 tracks are transparent chapters in Habedank's story. Sonically, they lean into CCM pop territory, while staying true to the Southern Gospel hitmaker's immense vocal talent, on full display across the collection's dozen originals. Produced by Nick Schwarz (CAIN), Bernie Herms (Natalie Grant, Josh Groban) and David Leonard (Matthew West, MercyMe), autobiography guides listeners on a chronological journey though Habedank's childhood all the way to his present-day testimony of sobriety.

"What I've always found is that when I write something about my life -- whether it's a song about losing my grandmother or it's a song about my addiction -- it somehow resonates with people. I guess it's because everybody has a grandma and everybody's got somebody in their life who struggles with addiction," the award winner observes. "When people listen to this record, somehow I want my life to intersect with their lives."

Intentionally sequenced, autobiography is front-loaded with songs about Jesus, starting with "worthy," an unabashed worship anthem Habedank co-wrote with Tony Wood and We The Kingdom's Andrew Bergthold. From there, it walks listeners through his introduction to Jesus, the consistency of God's character throughout His life and how, ultimately, he chose to follow Christ for the rest of his days. Album standout "ain't that the truth" boasts co-writing credit by sibling trio CAIN. Habedank reworked some of the group's original lyrics to make it his own, and the result is a selection that suits the vocalist as if it was tailor-made for him. "The truth is," he asserts, "Jesus is the most important thing in my story."

The middle portion of the project gets to the heart of Habedank's upbringing, forming the true heart of the collection. "the church" brings to mind Cornerstone Baptist Temple in Dayton, Ohio, the congregation that formed the steady foundation for Habedank's faith. Meanwhile, "Jesus wasn't leaving" marks the first time he's ever written about his parents' divorce. Penned with Michael Farren and Wood, the gut-wrenching selection might reflect on something that occurred more than 35 years ago, but it was a life-defining milestone that continues to affect the singer. "One of the lines of the song says, 'Looking back, they had their reasons, but at least they both agreed on Jesus,'" he shares. "That's the central message of it. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for agreeing on the one thing that matters most, and that's Jesus."

The pair of deeply personal tracks is interrupted by notable "interlude (little me)," which features six-year-old Habedank singing with all the innocence and gusto of the child he was back then. Further down, the feisty "tell the devil" unfolds like an eviction notice to the enemy as Habedank discovers his identity in his Creator and declares his allegiance to Christ.

The back half of the offering delves into salvation, forgiveness and, ultimately, the redemption he's found in Jesus. "the basement," a fitting benediction, closes autobiography. "I felt like it was important to put that song at the end of the tracklisting," Habedank says of the beautiful ode to life after addiction. "One, the basement's at the bottom of a home; and two, it describes the last part of my story, which is recovery, and that's where I live now."

Hoping to bridge the gap between genres -- even in faith circles -- Habedank invited multiple artists to lend their unique contributions to the LP. Herms, whom he calls a "bucket list collaborator," is featured on simple and pure "going with Jesus," where just his piano combined with Habedank's vocal makes for one of the album's most poignant moments. Additionally, Chris Blue, a previous winner of "The Voice," adds his soulful touch to "Jesus walked in," and Houston's First Worship joins Habedank for a powerful declaration on "forgiven."

"I wanted to do something where I could bring several different worlds together. There's enough division in our world, even among Christians, right now. I wanted to reach across the aisle," Habedank remarks of the album's guest features. "I wanted there to be a feel of unity on this record with the people I collaborated with."

The solidarity among diverse collaborators shines though, certainly, but it's the harmony he builds with his fans that makes autobiography a career-defining collection for Habedank. 

"I think as much as we all think we're different, a lot of us are the same. Maybe some people can't really relate with how I craft and write a song, but they can relate to the fact that I'm a broken sinner who needs Jesus," he offers. "Even though I was raised in church, life's messy, and that's OK. If we weren't a mess, Jesus would've never had to go to the cross to pay for it. Brokenness is OK, but redemption is better."

Like turning pages in a memoir, song by song autobiography proves his words true. Each line is etched in gratitude. Despite being a product of divorce, Habedank is thankful for the parents who raised him, the church that shaped him, the Savior who sustained him, and the wife who stayed by his side during the darkest days of his addiction.

"It's the story of my life," says Habedank of autobiography, "but it's also the story of all Jesus has done in my life."