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    For our 9th annual Highlighting feature, we split the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December. Each list contains 15 artists/releases for a total of 30 in total for 2015. So, without further ado, we give you Highlighting First-Half 2015!



  2 of 15  



Album Cover
#2. Mat Kearney
JUST KIDS

Release Date: February 24, 2015
One of the unlikeliest of musical conglomerations, the singer-songwriter/pop/folk/rap artist has transcended the messy mix of genres he has been exploring with great success since his major label debut, Nothing Left To Lose, thanks in no small part to his mastery of channelling a vocal and lyrical combination of understated emotion. Just Kids begs to be his most vulnerable album yet.
        - Mark Rice

It's hard to stand out as a singer-songwriter in Nashville, but Mat Kearney does just that. He's always had his own style, and it's won fans over for years. There's no reason to suspect that Just Kids will be any different.
        - John "Flip" Choquette

Okay, I didn't vote for Mat Kearney either. I like his music, but I wasn't genuinely excited about JUST KIDS. Now that I've gotten a copy to review, I really wish I DID vote for it. This album is great. I'll probably jam "Heartbeat" for a good portion of the year.
        - Scott Fryberger

"Hey Mama" was my wife and daughter's favorite song in 2011, and Young Love took up a near-permanent residence in our mini-van's CD player. We're counting down the days till Just Kids, and I can't wait to take another road trip this summer with the album's lead single "Heartbeat" shaking the cups out of the cup holders.
        - Alex "Tincan" Caldwell

After following Mat Kearney's career over the years, one thing is for sure: he's certainly never boring, as Kearney seems to swing effortlessly among genres, meshing thoughtful songwriting with catchy pop sounds and smart hip-hop delivery. It's been almost four years since Young Love (THE summer album of 2011 for me). I am ready to hear what's coming with Just Kids.
        - Jen Rose Yokel

Kearney's ability to craft a song has grown through his career, and he remains a unique voice. His autobiographical songs are among his best, and Just Kids features some gems in that category. His hooks stay in your ears for days, and that's a good thing.
        - Mark D. Geil

From what I've heard of JUST KIDS, Mat Kearney is attempting to meld both his hip hop and pop tendencies into one uniform sound (not unlike "Ships in the Night" from Young Love). I'll be interested to see the long-term impact of this release as the year progresses, but for now, tracks like the thoughtful "Heartbreak Dreamer" and the '80's-inspired "Heartbeat" are solid entries in Kearney's catalog.
        - Roger Gelwicks

  • Visit our Mat Kearney page for more information about them...

  • 2015 Countdown:

    15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1
    Highlighting 2015
    ©January 2015 Jesusfreakhideout.com




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    This Tuesday, September 15
    SINGLES
    Grace Frances The Promised Land - Single (independent)

    This Friday, September 18
    ALBUMS
    Anthony Brown & group therAPy Full Disclosure [Tyscot]
    Cory Asbury Outsing The Angels [BEC]
    Bellsburg Sessions Back to Bellsburg (The Songs of Rich Mullins) [Old Bear]
    Franni Cash Here I Am [Capitol CMG]
    for KING & COUNTRY the most beautiful colours [Curb Records]
    Hillside Recording Proverbs & Prayers (Morning) (independent)
    Jaye King All God, Not Me [Centricity]
    Living Again Living Again II (independent)
    Joseph O'Brien What's Good For Me? [Gotee]
    Set For The Fall I Said What I Said [Vere]
    Zauntee GOD REMEMBERS [BEC]

    SINGLES
    2 Lane Summer Lean On Me - Single [QHMG]
    Alphein HIGHER - Single [Syntax]
    Chris Caro Outcast - Single [Syntax]
    ChristianXXII Lift Me Up - Single [Dream]
    Anne Elise Changing - Single [NCS]
    Evelyn Cormier + Rain City Worship The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23) - Single [BEC]
    Dex the nerd who loves Jesus I'm So Old School - Single [Syntax]
    Dreamers The God Who Goes Before Me - Single [Dream]
    eddieM Your Way - Single [Syntax]
    Exline Key West - Single (independent)
    Future of Forestry Density of a Star - Single (independent)
    Grace Graber Jericho - Single (independent)
    Josh Grove I'm Done Running - Single (independent)
    EJ Swavv, MAYIA WARREN & Bill B. God Did - Single [Syntax]
    Harvey Watkins Jr. and The Canton Spirituals Still Winning - Single [WayNorth]
    iNTELLECT, Elan Brio Good Vibe - Single [Polished Arrow]
    The Kingdom Heirs I Take It To The Lord - Single [Sonlite]
    Leem of the Earth The Greatest Gift - Single [Velvet Blue]
    The Lighthouse Boys America Bless God - Single (independent)
    Steven Malcolm Kick It To My Twin (ft. DreBreeze Da Godson & DKG KIE) - Single [Curb]
    Miles Minnick, Lecrae, nobigdyl. Christlike University - Single [Reach]
    Kevi Morse It's your time - Single [Syntax]
    Lloyd Nicks Can't Take My Eyes Off Heaven - Single [Curb]
    Northview Worship Praise God for His Mercy - Single [BEC]
    outr.cty Beautiful Dreamer - Single [Syntax]
    Matthew Plante GOD FEARING! - Single [Dream]
    Q-Flo Wild Flower 8 - Single [Syntax]
    QEW & Cyrus Sonata Majin - Single [Syntax]
    Xander Sallows hidden treasure - Single [Dream]
    Allan Scott Foxhole Prayers - Single [Dream]
    Victory House Worship Returning - Single (independent)
    Tauren Wells Here Comes the Church (feat. Tiffany Hudson) - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Matthew West Younger Me - Single [Story House / Provident]
    Whosoever South Y'all My People - Single (independent)

    VINYL
    Newsboys Not Ashamed [Magenta] Vinyl [Girder]

    Next Tuesday, September 22
    ALBUMS
    PFR Target & The Arrow (independent)

    Next Friday, September 25
    ALBUMS
    Altarheart Prone To Wander [Rottweiler]
    ANTHNY Worship Leader's Diary [SONY/Provident]
    Brotality Jaws of the Earth (independent)
    Forsaken Eternity Shades of Existence - EP [Rottweiler]
    gio. PROMISE LAND [Capitol CMG]
    Red Worship Witness (independent)
    Stryper Throne of Thorns [Frontiers]
    We Are Messengers Halfway Home [Curb]
    Matthew West Jesus is King [Provident]
    The Wood Drake Sessions East to West (independent)

    SINGLES
    Mackenzie Phillips Made - Single [Gotee]
    River Valley Worship King of the Empty Grave - Single [BEC]


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