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

    For our 10th annual Highlighting feature, we split the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December. Each list contains 10 artists/releases for a total of 20 in total for 2016. So, without further ado, we give you Highlighting Second-Half 2016! -- Please keep in mind that any artists that placed in the First Half (like Skillet, Paper Route and winner House of Heroes) won't be re-listed here!



  2 of 10  



Album Cover
#2. NEEDTOBREATHE
H A R D L O V E

Release Date: July 15, 2016
H A R D L O V E is a mixed bag of high quality and standard tunes, but it is nonetheless a fun album that has something for everyone.
        - Christopher Smith

Rivers In The Wasteland was a tour de force of emotion, healing and great songs. “Difference Maker,” “Brother,” “Wasteland,” “The Heart” and “Magnified” were fantastic songs that were as different in tone as they were great in structure. H A R D L O V E finds the boys from South Carolina in a better place as friends and family, and the album has a distinctly lighter feel. Fans may not be as taken with the happy material (see Bruce Springsteen’s “happy phase” in the 90’s), but the soul swing of “Money And Fame” and “Happiness” hint at a funky, soulful and joyful record.
        - Alex Caldwell

It was going to be difficult to replicate the sheer intelligence and sensibility of Rivers in the Wasteland, but then again, is that really what we wanted? H A R D L O V E has noticeably thicker production, which might rub some southern rock purists the wrong way, but I'm willing to entertain the idea of a poppier chapter in NEEDTOBREATHE's journey. At the minimum, it'll sound like nothing else put out this year, and that's a hard goal to achieve by itself.
        - Roger Gelwicks

Six albums in and there hasn't been an album from NEEDTOBREATHE I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. Each album seems to improve upon the last, shaking things up just enough to keep it interesting while continuing to draw inspiration from their roots. H A R D L O V E is a solid contender for album of the year and possibly the Carolina band's best.
        - Lucas Munachen

Who among us has the willpower to ignore new tunes from one of today's most consistent mainstream Christian rock groups? Crafting a worthy follow-up to 2014's Rivers in the Wasteland, perhaps their best work to date, is a daunting task to say the least, but NEEDTOBREATHE have proven time and time again their incredible ability to summon melodies that are borderline irresistible. If paired with measured amounts of creativity and growth, H A R D L O V E could truly be something to admire.
        - Jeremy Barnes

Though I've heard the album already, and it's not their best, new NEEDTOBREATHE never truly disappoints. And H A R D L O V E improves with each listen.
        - Scott Fryberger

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

  • 2016 Countdown: July to December

    10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1
    Highlighting 2016
    ©January 2016 Jesusfreakhideout.com



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    This Friday, October 17, 2025
    ALBUMS
    ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
    AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
    Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
    Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
    Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
    Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
    Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
    Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
    Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
    Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]
    Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

    SINGLES
    Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
    F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
    Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
    LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
    No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
    Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
    Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
    REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
    Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
    Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
    Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
    SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
    Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
    Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
    Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
    Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

    DVD
    Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

    Next Friday, October 24, 2025
    ALBUMS
    John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
    Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
    Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
    God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
    Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
    gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
    Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
    Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
    Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
    Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

    SINGLES
    29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
    Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
    Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
    Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
    darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
    Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
    Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
    Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
    Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
    Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
    Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
    Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
    The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

    VINYL
    Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]


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