For 20 years, Ginny Owens has been a consistent voice in the waning CCM pop world. With 10 studio albums, a handful of EPs, and even books to her credit, Owens has been a prolific force. Now, after a 3-year gap from her last musical offering, Owens is back with her new EP, Different Kind of Water. Containing five tracks of piano-laden pop, Owens sets out to encourage the listener to not get caught up in worldly pursuits, but to seek a heavenly treasure instead.

The music of this EP is definitely in a classic piano pop vein, reminiscent of the 2000s. The opening title track feels the most like an overt throwback, while the rest of the EP feels more modern. "On Repeat" takes inspiration from the Gospel genre, feeling like a song Matthew West would do. "Let This Go" scratches the mid-tempo itch, while the closer, "Give It Away," pulses with the most energy. "God Will Meet You There" is the tender piano ballad that is ready for radio airplay. There isn't much that stands out musically on this EP, especially compared to what other CCM acts are doing right now. However, it's all expertly crafted and gives just enough variety to keep the songs from blending together in the listener's head. So, what the sound lacks in uniqueness, it makes up for in distinction.

Lyrically, this is also familiar territory for the seasoned CCM listener. The songs bookending the EP (the title track and "Give It Away") encourage living for God and others above your own ambitions. "On Repeat" focuses on gospel freedom and hope for hard times. "Let This Go" calls for forgiveness and reconciliation, though a listener could also interpret it in broader ways. "God Will Meet You There" is the most straightforward encouragement, emphasizing how close God is to us in our times of need. Like the music, there's not much here that stands out lyrically. However, also like the music, each track is distinct in its subject or how it approaches its message. Every line is competently composed -- though I do think the first line of the chorus for "Give It Away" is a little redundant: "If you want love/Then love love". Owens avoids cliches for the most part, and that helps strengthen the songs overall.

Ginny Owens has more than earned her keep in modern CCM. Different Kind of Water is an EP that shows off her 20+ years of experience in the industry. These songs won't cause a seismic shift on the radio or in how people approach writing Christian music, but they are a testament to doing something competently. At any rate, no listener can deny how encouraging these songs are for whatever point you find yourself in life. While this EP may be just another moment in Owens' storied career, for the present time, it's one worth checking out.

- Review date: 2/26/26, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com