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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 Thursday, May 28, 2026
    SINGLES
    Stryper I'm Alright, (I'm Okay) - Single [Frontiers]

    This Friday, May 29, 2026
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    Eauclaire Changing - Single [NCS]
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    KNGDM REVIVAL Psalm 44 - Single [Dream]
    Hillside Recording Every Morning - Single [Ocean House]
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    Northview Worship Wildly Faithful - Single [BEC]
    Matthew Plante Like You Do - Single [Dream]
    Jenna Raine What Would I Say? - Single [Warner]
    Saints in Exile Need an Escape - Single [Syntax]
    Jordan St. Cyr Every Reason To Bellieve - Single [BEC]
    TRU-SERVA Put In Work (Steven Malcolm) - Single [Trans4mation]

    VINYL
    Newsboys Take Me To Your Leader (30th Anniversary Edition) [Red] [Girder]

    Next Tuesday, June 2, 2026
    ALBUMS
    John Joseph James God of the Second Chance (independent)

    Next Wednesday, June 3, 2026
    SINGLES
    Life.Church Switch Hunger - Single [Ocean House]

    Next Friday, June 5, 2026
    ALBUMS
    John Allan Live from Anaheim - EP [Centricity]
    August Burns Red Season of Surrender [Fearless]
    Zach Williams Revival Nights at Red Rocks [Provident]

    SINGLES
    CAIN Living Water - Single [Provident]
    The Emerging Sound, People & Songs Stand on Your Promise - Single [People & Songs]
    John Long, Jake MacAdam Jesus is Better - Single [Ocean House]


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