Background
The album released on November 17, 2009 by Fair Trade, Columbia and Integrity, and it was produced by Charlie Peacock. This was the sixth studio album and ninth album overall from the songstress.
Critical reception
Fireflies and Songs garnered critical acclaim from music critics. At Christianity Today, Andrew Greer rated the album five stars, evoking that the release "probes yet deeper, and even more beautifully, into the fears, doubts, and joys of the human soul."[5] Andree Farias of Allmusic rated the album three-and-a-half stars, highlighting that "Groves' big break may still be farther than ever before, but it's doubtful she cares: Fireflies and Songs is proof she is in this for the long haul." At Cross Rhythms, Peter Timmis rated the album ten out of ten squares, and felt that "the listener is left wanting more."
Kevin Davis of Christian Music Review gave the album a 95-percent, calling it an "excellent work" on which "Sara’s excellent songwriting and captivating piano-based singer-songwriter style have made her my favorite female artist in all of Christian music." At Jesus Freak Hideout, Laura Nunnery Love rated the album four stars, affirming that the release "is an excellent addition to the Sara Groves catalogue." Jen Rose also of Jesus Freak Hideout rated the album four stars, calling the album "some of her most poetic, vulnerable, and transparent music to date." At The Phantom Tollbooth, Bert Saraco rated the album four-and-a-half tocks, felling that her music "stings like a bee." Brian A. Smith also of The Phantom Tollbooth rated the album four-and-a-half tocks, saying that he's "never been displeased with a Groves album, but some stand out more than others", and this "is one of them."
At Christian Broadcasting Network, Monique Derr rated the album three-and-a-half spins, noting how the listener will find "Smooth vocals, comforting words, and strong instrumentation" on the album, and it contains Groves' "rich melodies and silky tone quality make for a relaxing, inspiring, and positive listening experience." Ken Wiegman of Alpha Omega News graded the album a B+, commenting that "The new album is peaceful and a joy to listen to and the personal approach is a welcomed new tool for an already superior artist such as Sara Groves." However, Louder Than the Music' Suzanne Physick rated the album two stars, criticizing that "It's hard to differentiate between most of the songs and the outcome is purely an album of pleasant background music with the occasional lyrical high.
