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    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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    Music Out This Week


    This Tuesday, January 27, 2026
    SINGLES
    Philip Anthony No Parts - Single (independent)
    Pipe Bomb I Will Kill The Worst Parts Of Myself - Single (independent)

    This Friday, January 30, 2026
    ALBUMS
    The Binions Roots [StowTown]
    bodie NO SKIPS (DELUXE) [Provident/Sony]
    Peter Burton Where Would I Be - EP [Integrity]
    Dreamers let love be your highest goal. - EP [DREAM Worship]
    Deitrick Haddon & Voices Of Unity Chain Breaker 2.5 [Tyscot]
    Gaither Vocal Band How Sweet It Is: Live In Concert [Gaither]
    Kingdmusic JOY (independent)
    LO CLOUD Sleepwalker - EP (independent)
    Eddy Mann The Unveiling [MTS]
    Lizzie Morgan Not My Will (Deluxe) [Provident/Sony]
    We The Kingdom Dear Jesus [Capitol CMG]
    YWAM Kona Music Apostles Creed Global - EP [Integrity]

    SINGLES
    ANTHNY imposter syndrome (spiritual mix) - Single [Provident/Sony]
    Autumn Owls Thick as Thieves - Single (independent)
    Mark Bishop The Fishing Pole - Single [Sonlite]
    BRAG Worship, Trip Lee For Your Glory / Draw My Eyes - Double Single [Reach]
    Elan Brio Two Hearts - Single [Fly Dog]
    for KING + COUNTRY Ever And Ever Before (feat. MORIAH & Courtney) - Single [Curb]
    Grace + Max Flame - Single [WieRok]
    God Behind Bars Music Call Out To Jesus - Single [Provident/Sony]
    Philippa Hanna 'Til the Whole World Knows (feat. Israel Houghton) - Single [Integrity]
    Ellie Holcomb Hope's Gonna Find You (feat. Franni Cash) - Single [Capitol CMG]
    I.A.N. PRAISE THE LORD ft. 1K Phew - Single [Syntax]
    iNTELLECT, Procyse Fool's Gold - Single [Polished Arrow]
    Lexly Nirvana Alegria (ft. Shanta Fuentes) - Single [Syntax]
    John Long The Perfect Love of Christ - Single [Ocean House]
    Mainstream Worship & Josh Daughtry Fresh Start (Live) - Single [DREAM Worship]
    Bishop Paul S. Morton Go Through (feat. PJ Morton, Jasmine Morton Robinson) - Single [Tehillah]
    Alexander Pappas Hands Up - Single [Integrity]
    Saints in Exile Our Love is Dead & Our Luv is Dead? - Single [Syntax]
    Scapegoat End This Nation (Ft. Dayton Turner) - Single [Charon Collective]
    Seph Schlueter Life With You - Single [Provident/Sony]
    SNT. VINCENT SOCIAL YEAR - Single [Syntax]
    TKE3 Mr Unstoppable (feat. Omar Whippin) - Single (independent)
    TRU-SERVA Battleground - Single [Kingdom Impact]

    DVD
    Gaither Vocal Band How Sweet It Is: Live In Concert DVD [Gaither]

    Next Sunday, February 1, 2026
    SINGLES
    Like A Splinter x Righteous Talk Dark Sayings - Single (independent)
    Tanya Low Red Fresh Rose - Single (independent)
    MC Zappa Why? - Single (independent)

    Next Monday, February 2, 2026
    ALBUMS
    Lecrae Reconstruction (Deluxe) [Reach]

    Next Friday, February 6, 2026
    ALBUMS
    Ashes Awaken Rise [MTS]
    Life.Church Worship El Camino - EP [Ocean House]
    Ricky Dillard, Ron Carter Sweet, Sweet Spirit [Motown Gospel/Capitol CMG]

    SINGLES
    Freedom Church Good On Your Promise - Single [DREAM]
    Ben Fuller x KB Black Sheep II - Single [Provident/Sony]
    Josh Grove, KJ-52 Rain Or Shine - Single [Syntax]
    Hulvey Rooftop (feat. nobigdyl) - Single [Reach]
    Ian Austin, Heather Suzanne Apple Pie - Single [Ocean House]
    Love & The Outcome For the Beauty of the Earth - Single [Integrated Music Rights]
    Hunter Plake Lousiana Rain - Single [BEC]
    For all release dates, click here!
     

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