For our 6th annual Highlighting feature, we're doing things a little differently. Normally, we select our top 25 most anticipated releases for the whole year, but we realize that it's tough to really gauge EVERYTHING that may release throughout a given year when we're making the list in January. So, for 2012, we're splitting the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December (Click here for Part 2). Also, we're making each list 15 artists/releases for a total of 30 in 2012. So, without further ado, we give you Highlighting First-Half 2012!

	14 of 15   #14. Audrey Assad Heart Release Date: February 14, 2012 Listening to plenty of worship albums of varying amounts of quality really makes the better ones shine even brighter, and Audrey Assad's 2010 debut The House You're Building directly fits the bill. Heart's lead single "Sparrow" mostly hints at a continuation of her sound, but it's indeed a style that deserves more exposure and expansion. I cannot wait to see what Assad's Heart reveals.         - Roger Gelwicks I loved Audrey Assad's debut. The thoughtful lyrics, fresh alternative pop sound, and lovely voice solidified it as one of my favorite records of 2010. The first single from her new record, "Sparrow," debuted last year, a delightful take on a classic hymn that left me eager for more. So for me, Heart is one of my most anticipated new releases of 2012.         - Jen Rose Visit our Audrey Assad page for more information about them... 2012 Countdown: 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 ©January, 2012 Jesusfreakhideout.com