Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

    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




       go to main page

     

                     
    Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

    Search JFH



    This Friday, February 13, 2026
    ALBUMS
    Adiós Cometa Un Destello De Luz [Velvet Blue]
    AOH Music Breathe (Acoustic Live) (independent)
    BRAG Worship, Trip Lee For Your Glory - EP [Reach]
    Colony House 77 (Pt. 2) [LastDaze]
    Elan Brio, DJ Proof Solid Frequencies [Fly Dog]
    Elevation Español El Nombre De Jesús [Provident]
    Jake MacAdam for megan [Ocean House]
    Myles Maestro St. Valentine EP [Syntax]

    SINGLES
    ADIA One The Way (Remix feat. Erica Campbell) - Single [Rock City]
    Ian Austin Make Me Like Your Son - Single [Ocean House]
    AustinThaNoble Painkiller - Single [Syntax]
    Pat Barrett Break Open (Live) - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Les and Joyce Carlsen He's God - Single (independent)
    idle threat Evermind - Single [Tooth & Nail]
    Jenn Johnson Here In Your Arms - Single [Bethel]
    KB BLOOD 2 - Single [Provident]
    The Kingsmen When Sunday Morning Dawned - Single [Bethel]
    Vic Lucas Love Like You - Single [Syntax]
    Jake MacAdam for megan - Single [Ocean House]
    Patrick Mayberry It Is Well - Single [Provident/Sony]
    Kevi Morse I'm Loved - Single [Syntax]
    NCS Collective, Dara Maclean Can You See It - Single [NCS]
    Lloyd Nicks Heal For You - Single [Curb]
    Passion What A Worthy Name / Watch Him Work - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Pastor Mike Jr. He Can - Single [Rock City]
    Dante Pride Just Believe - Single [TAMLA]
    Q-Flo Wild Flower 7 - Single [Syntax]
    Sanctus Real Steady - Single [Framework/The Fuel]
    Savaun & EJ Swavv More Than Friends (Reimagined) - Single [Syntax]
    John Waller All You’ve Ever Done - Single [DREAM]
    Darlene Zschech Shout To The Lord (All The Earth) (feat. Ana Paula Valadão and Ingrid Rosario) - Single [Integrity]

    VINYL
    Sixpence None The Richer Kiss Me / Perfect Day UO Exclusive 7-inch Single Vinyl [UO/Flatiron]

    This Saturday, February 14, 2026
    ALBUMS
    Dan Damon Needed Time: spirituals (feat. Kurt Ribak) (independent)

    Next Thursday, February 19, 2026
    SINGLES
    Marty Magehee Comin' Down - Single (independent)

    Next Friday, February 20, 2026
    ALBUMS
    Chosen Road American Morning: Side A - EP [Thoroughbred]
    Elevation Worship SO BE IT [Provident]
    Ginny Owens Different Kind of Water (independent)

    SINGLES
    29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel And Is To Come - Single [DREAM]
    Aaron Cole Peace At Last - Single [Provident/Sony]
    DOE Black Boy (feat. Jon Batiste) - Single [Provident/Sony]
    Heather Suzanne, Ian Austin Mad - Single [Ocean House]
    Hillside Recording Jesus You're Holy - Single [Ocean House]
    Run51 Feels - Single [DREAM]


    For all release dates, click here!
     

    Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!
    Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
    Check out depositphotos for royalty free images