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

    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 Friday, November 14, 2025
    ALBUMS
    Bethel Music We Must Respond (Deluxe) [Bethel]
    Emery White Line Fever (Remastered) - Disc One (independent)
    FYR FYTR Snow After Fire - EP (independent)
    HolyName Three Bar Cross - EP (independent)
    Jake and Mates Songs of Deliverance (independent)
    JERICKO Ups and Downs - EP [Syntax]
    Kings Kaleidoscope Asaph's Arrows II EP [BEC]
    VIC LUCAS The Journey (Deluxe Version) [Syntax]
    Ronnie Martin Evergreen Melodie [Velvet Blue]
    NF FEAR - EP [Capitol]
    Blessing Offor To All A Good Night [Capitol CMG]
    Rave Jesus I MET GOD ON THE DANCEFLOOR [Provident]
    Kristian Stanfill Come to Jesus [sixstepsrecords]
    We Are Messengers Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas) [Curb]
    The Young Escape Not Done Yet [BEC]

    SINGLES
    ADRIEL CRUZ & JAMIL Praying For My Enemies - Single [Syntax]
    BILL B. My Lord - Single [Syntax]
    Biscuits Drifting Off (Hayloft) - Single [Circle Back]
    Holly Brand Tennessee Christmas (feat. Warren Peay) - Single [Integrity]
    Leanna Crawford Still Waters (Strings & Choir Version) - Single [Provident]
    Melvin Crispell III, Jason Clayborn Whatever It Is - Single [Tyscot]
    CUTRIGHT, ZIPPY, & QEW Pick it Up - Single [Syntax]
    DRENAE Like U Do - Single [Syntax]
    Eighteen Mile What Mercy Means - Single [Mountain Home Music]
    His Kingdom Suffers There's No Light In This House - Single [Charon Collective]
    KNALADEUS, SELAH THE CORNER, & AYO SHAMIR Let it Be (ft. JOSEPH SD) - Single [Syntax]
    LEXLY NIRVANA Perdoname - Single [Syntax]
    Richard Lynch Why Me Lord - Single [MTS]
    Jamie MacDonald My Family - Single [Capitol CMG]
    NEEDTOBREATHE Where You Call Home - Single [Omnivore]
    Hunter Plake Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Single [BEC]
    Skillet O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Single [Hear It Loud]

    Next Sunday, November 16, 2025
    ALBUMS
    Bir Witness 26.13 (independent)

    Next Thursday, November 20, 2025
    SINGLES
    The Rocky Valentines Happy Thanksgiving - Double Single [Velvet Blue]

    Next Friday, November 21, 2025
    ALBUMS
    Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Ellie Holcomb I'll Be Home for Christmas - EP [Magnolia]
    Joseph Habedank The Great Adventure: A Tribute to Steven Curtis Chapman [Daywind]
    Andrew Marcus Christmas - EP (independent)
    Stryper The Greatest Gift Of All [Frontiers]

    SINGLES
    Cliff & Antoinette Murray Happy Thanksgiving - Single [DREAM]
    Good Weather Forecast Little Christmas - Single [DREAM]
    Jake MacAdam, Mark & Sarah Tillman Christ Has Come - Single [Ocean House]
    Life.Church Worship A Thousand Blessings - Single [Ocean House]
    Seph Schlueter Cling To The Cross (feat. Matt Maher) - Single [sixsteps]

    VINYL
    Stryper The Greatest Gift Of All Vinyl [Girder]


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