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 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
    ŠJanuary 2015 Jesusfreakhideout.com



       go to main page

     

    Music News Headlines


    .Passion Debuts New Track, "The Blood," from Passion 2026
      Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:55:00 EST
    .Dan Bremnes Releases New Album, "The Hero and the Villain"
      Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:35:00 EST
    .Steven Malcolm Celebrates Faith and Renewal on New Single, "Spatula"
      Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:05:00 EST
    .Post-Hardcore Newcomers floodlit Release Second Single, "AKo"
      Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:00:00 EST
    .B. Cooper Drops New Single, "Days," feat. Foure
      Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:35:00 EST
    .Cold Streets Channel 2000s Era Youth Group Punk on "Over and Over"
      Fri, 16 Jan 2026 13:00:00 EST
    .TAMLA's Lee Vasi Celebrates NAACP Image Awards Nomination
      Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:40:00 EST

    .Click here All News Headlines | RSS Icon RSS

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

    Search JFH


    Music Out This Week


    This Friday, January 16, 2026
    ALBUMS
    77s 7 [Mezzo]
    Anathoth Redención [Charon Collective]
    Dan Bremnes The Hero & The Villain [Curb]
    Amanda Cook The Blue Tent (Live) - EP [Wings]
    m1L, R.kitect 4ZERO7 - EP [Headnod Music Group]
    Petra Hope (CD) [Rown/Girder]

    SINGLES
    Alexxander otravueltaxx - Single [Reach]
    Anike He's Been Good - Single [Reach]
    Gracie Binion Hosanna - Single [BEC]
    Chris Caro To the Grave - Single [Syntax]
    Cold Streets Over and Over - Single [Small Step]
    Colony House Hummingbird - Single [LastDaze]
    B. Cooper Days (ft. Foure) - Single [RMG Amplify]
    Dex the Nerd Who Loves Jesus I Got the Light - Single [Syntax]
    Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Jonah Kagen Mississippi River Bluebird - Single [Magnolia]
    floodlit AKo - Single (independent)
    Ian Austin, Isaiah William Front Porch Wisdom - Single [Ocean House]
    K3hlab Wonderfully Made - Single [Syntax]
    Lecrae My Everything - Single [Reach]
    Life.Church Worship Digno De Alabar - Single [Ocean House]
    Limoblaze God Did It - Single [Reach]
    Vic Lucas Thank You, God. (ft. Lady Audri) - Single [Syntax]
    Jake MacAdam echoes - Single [Ocean House]
    Myles Maestro Not Satisfied - Single [Syntax]
    Steven Malcolm Spatula (feat. Futuristic) - Single [Curb]
    Passion The Blood - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Razzie When He Calls - Single [Syntax]
    Remnant House GO! - Single [Ocean House]
    Tedashii Dungeon - Single [Reach]
    Tenroc Playlist - Single [Provident]
    MAYIA WARREN Sanctuary - Single [Syntax]
    Phil Wickham, Crowder It Really is Amazing Grace - Single [Fair Trade]

    Next Friday, January 23, 2026
    ALBUMS
    Jamie MacDonald Jamie MacDonald [Capitol CMG]

    SINGLES
    CAIN So Long Sad Songs - Single [Provident]
    Jason Dunn Divided States of America - Single (independent)
    ELEOS Fool's Gold - Single [Ocean House]
    Amber Lynn Yahweh (Your Will Your Way) - Single [Sonlite]
    Ian Austin, Brice Davis Like The Prodigal (Come Home) - Single [Ocean House]
    Heather Suzanne Kingdom Walls - Single [Ocean House]
    Zane Walls NAH UH - Single (independent)
    Katy Weirich The River - Single [Wings]
    For all release dates, click here!
     

    New Music Reviews

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

    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