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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
    ŠJanuary 2015 Jesusfreakhideout.com




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    This Tuesday, July 29, 2025
    ALBUMS
    Magdalene Rose The Heart That Bloomed After Death [Rockfest]

    SINGLES
    Josiah Queen Cloud and Fire - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Stryper Still The Light - Single [Frontiers]

    This Friday, August 1, 2025
    ALBUMS
    Above the Clouds The Messengers [Polished Arrow]
    Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
    Illbrio Part Two (independent)
    Ronnie Martin Moth - Instrumentals [Velvet Blue]
    McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
    Brandon Mitchell GAMETIME [Syntax]
    Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
    Rachel Purcell Mercy & Me - EP [Centricity]
    V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

    SINGLES
    Ayo Shamir, tonyxtrotter, Yung Drew, Christyan Scarborough All Dog$ Go To Heaven - Single [Syntax]
    Josh Baldwin Salvation Song - Single [Bethel]
    BASECAMP Lord's Day - Single [Polished Arrow]
    bodie NO SKIPS - Single [Provident]
    Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
    Colony House OK OK OK OK - Single [LastDaze]
    Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
    Dave Hall Safe Part II (ft. Megan Tossi & Kayo Bracey) - Single [Syntax]
    JusRzd Receipts (ft. GB) - Single [Syntax]
    K3hlab iPraise (Remix) (ft. CJ Emulous & Xay Hill) - Single [Syntax]
    The Kingsmen Go and Tell Somebody - Single [Horizon]
    Jamie MacDonald Left It In The River - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Mell Omii Trav Hit His Parlay - Single [Syntax]
    Jeannie Ortega Back to Brooklyn - Single [Syntax]
    Q-Flo Hilltop Cypher (ft. DJ Mykael V, Glenn Ray, Parris Chariz & Prodi Da Prodigal) - Single [Syntax]
    Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)
    Tenkiller Break Up Song - Single [Charon Collective]
    Vineyard Worship Swing Wide - Single [Vineyard UK]
    Solachi Voz Knew Me (ft. GODSVOIC3 & Key'ijah) - Single [Syntax]
    VOTA Try - Single (independent)

    VINYL
    Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]

    Next Friday, August 8, 2025
    ALBUMS
    CXMMXNS All The Praise Belongs [Provident]
    Blessing Offor Real [Capitol CMG]
    Zane Walls Think About Me - EP [DREAM]

    SINGLES
    Coqui LIVING 2 DIE - Single [DREAM]
    We Are Messengers Losing You - Single [Curb]



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