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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 22
    ALBUMS
    PFR Target and the Arrow (independent)

    This Thursday, September 24
    SINGLES
    Bloodlines So Much To Lose - Single [Facedown]
    NEEDTOBREATHE Can't Apologize (feat. Jonah Kagen) - Single [UMG]

    This Friday, September 25
    ALBUMS
    Altarheart Prone To Wander [Rottweiler]
    ANTHNY Worship Leader's Diary [SONY/Provident]
    Elan Brio Sound Waves [Polished Arrow]
    Brotality Jaws of the Earth (independent)
    Forsaken Eternity Shades of Existence - EP [Rottweiler]
    Gaither Bill & Gloria Gaither and their Homecoming Friends Present You Are Loved: A Tribute to the Songs of Bill & Gloria (Live) [Gaither]
    gio. PROMISE LAND [Capitol CMG]
    Pomegranate More To Find - EP (independent)
    Red Worship Witness (independent)
    Stryper Throne Of Thorns [Frontiers Music]
    Tommis & Company The Wonder of You, Vol. 2 - EP (independent)
    We Are Messengers Halfway Home [Curb]
    Matthew West Jesus Is King [Story House Music]
    The Wood Drake Sessions East to West (independent)

    SINGLES
    Sarah Anthony Jesus is King - Single (independent)
    AustinThaNoble Mommy, I’m Praying for You - Single [Syntax]
    Chris Caro DID WHAT I SAID - Single [Syntax]
    Jenn Chenoweth Still Small Voice - Single [WieRise]
    Peter Ebraheem The King is Risen (feat. K.N.O) - Single (independent)
    Kirk Franklin This Time (feat. GloRilla) - Single [Uptown]
    Kelo Real Love - Single [Syntax]
    Perry LaHaie Well Done - Single [Frontiers]
    Rachael Lampa Permission - Single [Centricity]
    Jamie MacDonald Used to Be - Single [Capitol CMG]
    MŌRIAH Kick - Single [F2]
    Neal Morse & The Resonance Walk On Water - Single [InsideOutMusic]
    Mackenzie Phillips Made - Single [Gotee]
    Presence Music Fight or Flight - Single (independent)
    QEW & Cyrus Sonata Nu Nimbus Vibez (ft. Scribe Music) - Single [Syntax]
    Jenna Raine I See What You're Saying - Single [Warner]
    River Valley Worship King of the Empty Grave - Single [BEC]
    Seph Schlueter All In - Single [Provident]
    Sleeping At Last Go On Easy - Single (independent)
    The Sean Coleman Project Might Just Be My Day (feat. Brad Goff) - Single (independent)

    DVD
    Gaither Bill & Gloria Gaither and their Homecoming Friends Present You Are Loved: A Tribute to the Songs of Bill & Gloria (Live) DVD [Gaither]

    Next Friday, October 2
    ALBUMS
    Charles Billingsley Replay [StowTown]
    Amy Grant The Me That Remains (Deluxe Edition) [Thirty Tigers]
    The Light Superior Dayspring [Rottweiler]
    Jake MacAdam Source of Life - EP (independent)
    Josh Snodgrass Praise (Instrumental Guitar) - EP (independent)
    Tauren Wells Here Comes The Church (Live) [Capitol CMG]

    SINGLES
    Francesca Battistelli Won't Miss A Moment - Single [Curb]
    Gracie Binion & Bella Fabrizio Recompense - Single [BEC]
    Koryn Hawthorne God Is Real - Single [Motown Gospel]
    Olivia Lane Mother's Eyes - Single [BEC]
    Chandler Marie Ride Away - Single (independent)


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