Jesusfreakhideout.com celebrates 30 Years online in 2026... Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation August 13, 2026!

    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 Second-Half 2015! -- Please keep in mind that any artists that placed in the First Half (like TobyMac, Pillar and winner Paper Route) won't be re-listed here!



  5 of 15  




#5. Zealand
untitled

Release Date: Fall 2015
I've always been a fan of Phil Joel. From his Newsboys days, to his solo album, to his recent work with Peter Furler. The prospect of a straight worship record is honestly a little disappointing, but the appeal of Phil Joel himself makes it a worthy of a little excitement. I'm really interested to see what the New Zealand singer and bassist has up his sleeve for his newest musical venture.
        - Michael Weaver

Phil Joel was a huge part of the Newsboy's (classic lineup) sound for a decade or more, and his return (though he's never really left) to the CCM world with his new band (cheekily named after his homeland of New Zealand) is one to look forward to.
        - Alex "Tincan" Caldwell

Throughout his time with the Newsboys, Phil Joel always carried a powerful and motivating stage presence. After breaking off to spend more time on his solo projects, he demonstrated a deep lyrical prowess with continually reflective, insightful and worshipful messages. Aside from his albums specifically aimed at kids, it has been nearly seven years since he's released an original project, and this foray as "Zealand" seems poised to competently challenge the already massive worship industry.
        - David Craft

I loved Phil's influence on the golden years of Newsboys, and have enjoyed much of his solo work. It's not really a surprise that Phil's focus is worship with Zealand (but the bizzare branding "Zealand Worship" kind of is), and the sound of the band's recently released debut EP gives me hope for what lies ahead.
        - John DiBiase

It says something about the legendary status of the Newsboys that we're immediately interested in their former members' projects. Phil Joel was a mainstay of the band's approach, so we're happy to hear any new material from him. That being said, I think it's best to go into Zealand's record with as few expectations as possible.
        - Roger Gelwicks

  • Visit our Zealand page for more information about them...

    		•
    2015 Part 2 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

     

    Music News Headlines


    .Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Keyla Richardson, Erica Campbell, Kierra Sheard, Lil Rel at 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards
      Sat, 15 Aug 2026 23:57:47 EST
    .SIGNUM REGIS Reveal New Single, "Back to Zero"
      Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:54:44 EST
    .Keyodis Unveils New Full-Length "Enemy Skulls"
      Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:40:11 EST
    .Josiah Queen Returns with Fan-Chosen New Single "Sundays"
      Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:29:48 EST
    .DOE Unveils Final Single "You Will Have It All" Ahead of Highly Anticipated Third Album "Shiloh," Coming Aug. 28
      Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:23:06 EST
    .Presence Music and Saphire Bring Hope to Hidden Mental Health Struggles with "Mess of Mine"
      Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:14:01 EST
    .Rising Star Jenna Raine Releases Debut Album, "Jeans, Boys and Jesus," Out Now on Warner Records
      Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:56:29 EST

    .Click here All News Headlines | RSS Icon RSS

                     
    Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

    Search JFH


    Music Out This Week


    This Thursday, August 13
    ALBUMS
    Various Artists Songs We've Been Trying To Tell You About (And Others We Haven't), Volume Fifteen [JFH Music]

    This Friday, August 14
    ALBUMS
    2819 Worship For Christ Alone - EP [Reach]
    The Arcadian Wild Make It Out Alive [Rip Stitch]
    JusRzd, Cyrus Sonata, Mic Wise The State of the Art - EP [Syntax]
    Keyodis Enemy Skulls [Charon Collective]
    Poor Old Lu Straight Six (Deluxe) Limited Edition (independent)
    Jenna Raine Jeans, Boys & Jesus [Warner]

    SINGLES
    A Tribe Apart, Malcolm Rue, Nicole Muwanguzi Speak Lord - Single [Syntax]
    Atlaslight More - Single (independent)
    AustinThaNoble Not My Own - Single [Syntax]
    DOE You Will Have It All - Single [Provident/Sony]
    Exline True Love Stays - Single (independent)
    GLADDEN Free Fall - Single (independent)
    KXC X Brenton Brown, Megan Cockram Hallelujah Jesus Saves - Single (independent)
    Brandon Lake How Good God Is - Single [Provident]
    Myles Maestro SHOUT TO THE MOON - Single [Syntax]
    Presence Music, SAPHIRE Mess of Mine - Single (independent)
    Josiah Queen sundays - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Jon Reddick King of Heaven - Single [Gotee]
    The Rogers Family When Jesus Comes In The Clouds - Single [Horizon]
    Saints in Exile Wolf That Raised Me - Single [Syntax]
    SIGNUM REGIS Back to Zero - Single [Fireflash]
    Skillet Lift Me Up - Single [Hear It Loud]
    TRU-SERVA Always Look to God (feat. Mike Teezy) - Single [Trans4mation]
    V1 Worship You Alone, Jesus - Single [Dream]
    Mark Wills The Baptism of Jesse Taylor - Single [Gaither]

    This Saturday, August 15
    VINYL
    Mat Kearney Nothing Left to Lose (Deluxe) Vinyl

    Next Friday, August 21
    ALBUMS
    Band Reeves How To Forgive [Centricity]
    CalledOut Music The Room [Integrity]
    MotionPlus, Braille Still Dreamin' - EP [Gospel Banquet]
    Lauren Talley Walls (Part One) - EP [Horizon]
    Terrian Mad Big World [Gotee]

    SINGLES
    Bleach Once Again Here We Are - Single [Residence]
    ELEOS Anchor For My Soul - Single (independent)
    Grace Frances Waiting For Me - Single (independent)
    WallerCo, John Waller Daddy's Here (Journee's Dream) - Single (independent)
    For all release dates, click here!
     

    New Music Reviews

    Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!

    New Indie Reviews

    New Movie Reviews

    Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
    Check out depositphotos for royalty free images