For our 6th annual Highlighting feature, we're doing things a little differently. Normally, we select our top 25 most anticipated releases for the whole year, but we realize that it's tough to really gauge EVERYTHING that may release throughout a given year when we're making the list in January. So, for 2012, we're splitting the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December (Click here for Part 2). Also, we're making each list 15 artists/releases for a total of 30 in 2012. So, without further ado, we give you Highlighting First-Half 2012!

	7 of 15   #7. Eisley Deep Space EP Release Date: February 14, 2012 After their latest remarkable album, The Valley, Eisley is quickly back with a group of new songs. Although the Deep Space EP doesn't excite me as much as another full length project, I'm officially stoked for whatever they have to offer.         - Nathaniel Schexnayder While I haven't necessarily loved anything from Eisley since Room Noises, I'm still impressed by the group's tight-knit musicianship and songwriting abilities (not to mention the angelic vocals could make most single guys swoon). The Valley is a very real, relatable album, which is always great, but from the sounds of it, the Deep Space EP may be a return to a more dreamy, Room Noises-esque sound. Uh...yes, please.         - Scott Fryberger With full-length projects becoming less and less of a given, truly excellent EPs are far more rare finds; if anyone can create one, however, Eisley will surely nail it. Given the masterful quality of last year's The Valley, we're confident that the DuPrees can pull off a great next act with Deep Space EP, even if the result is regrettably on the shorter side.         - Roger Gelwicks Nerd alert! If you haven't guessed it yet from their Star Wars-inspired band name (which started out as "Moss Eisley," named after the famous Tatooine space port), the DuPrees have a deep appreciation for many things deemed "nerdy" (subscribing to any of their individual Instagram feeds would reveal this as well too). After such weighty topics were tackled on the captivating The Valley, the intriguingly titled Deep Space EP should be an effort worth exploring.         - John DiBiase Visit our Eisley page for more information about them... 2012 Countdown: 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 ©January, 2012 Jesusfreakhideout.com