Faith Hill made it public knowledge that she would be releasing a new album in 2012 around the same time that her husband, the legendary Tim McGraw, made a similar announcement. It's the first album since 2005 for the 'Breathe' icon, so it's a fresh start and a pretty great New Year's resolution. Now that 2012 is almost here (she promised "by March," but we'll see), we're gathering all of the pieces of information about the 2012 new album to give our readers an idea of what to expect from Hill's "deepest album yet" -- in her words.

The Inspiration
"I’m a lover of soul music,” Hill revealed in an interview with an Australian newspaper back in October. The singer, who turned her name into a pop music crossover in the '90s, is ready to get something different on the shelves, something which is deeply inspired by her childhood. "I was brought up in the church and that was the first music I ever heard and ever performed. I’ve tried to infuse that into my albums over the years but I haven’t been able to do that until this one," she admitted. "I feel like I’ve dug a little deeper than previously. I fought for that space within myself and I found it.”

The Songs
Hill was understandably 'psyched' to perform at the 2011 CMAs back in November, given that it was her first time on that stage in five years and she packed a new song to unleash to her fans. As expected, Hill brought everyone in the Bridgestone Arena to their feet that night as she delivered 'Come Home,' the premiere single from the new album. The ballad is soft on the ears and surprisingly modern, despite her absence from the scene. It's a powerful tune which describes someone who works hard for a good cause, without ever specifying who that person is or what they do, which makes it especially easy to relate to for country fans of all walks.

Listen to 'Come Home'

What to Expect
Expect something quite different from Faith Hill's 2012 album, rumored to be titled 'Illusion.' The album will follow 2005's 'Fireflies,' which was a No. 1 chart-rider on both the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums lists. With plenty of time to reflect, plan and gather her thoughts, we're anticipating a similar turnout from Hill's next release, even though a lot of time has passed. Hill is undoubtedly one of those artists who never loses her sparkle and is never forgotten. It seems that she's feeling especially pumped up about what's to come in the new year, and we're more than anxious to hear this revised sound -- and this deeper album -- which she's been harping about.

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