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    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 First-Half 2015!



  2 of 15  



Album Cover
#2. Mat Kearney
JUST KIDS

Release Date: February 24, 2015
One of the unlikeliest of musical conglomerations, the singer-songwriter/pop/folk/rap artist has transcended the messy mix of genres he has been exploring with great success since his major label debut, Nothing Left To Lose, thanks in no small part to his mastery of channelling a vocal and lyrical combination of understated emotion. Just Kids begs to be his most vulnerable album yet.
        - Mark Rice

It's hard to stand out as a singer-songwriter in Nashville, but Mat Kearney does just that. He's always had his own style, and it's won fans over for years. There's no reason to suspect that Just Kids will be any different.
        - John "Flip" Choquette

Okay, I didn't vote for Mat Kearney either. I like his music, but I wasn't genuinely excited about JUST KIDS. Now that I've gotten a copy to review, I really wish I DID vote for it. This album is great. I'll probably jam "Heartbeat" for a good portion of the year.
        - Scott Fryberger

"Hey Mama" was my wife and daughter's favorite song in 2011, and Young Love took up a near-permanent residence in our mini-van's CD player. We're counting down the days till Just Kids, and I can't wait to take another road trip this summer with the album's lead single "Heartbeat" shaking the cups out of the cup holders.
        - Alex "Tincan" Caldwell

After following Mat Kearney's career over the years, one thing is for sure: he's certainly never boring, as Kearney seems to swing effortlessly among genres, meshing thoughtful songwriting with catchy pop sounds and smart hip-hop delivery. It's been almost four years since Young Love (THE summer album of 2011 for me). I am ready to hear what's coming with Just Kids.
        - Jen Rose Yokel

Kearney's ability to craft a song has grown through his career, and he remains a unique voice. His autobiographical songs are among his best, and Just Kids features some gems in that category. His hooks stay in your ears for days, and that's a good thing.
        - Mark D. Geil

From what I've heard of JUST KIDS, Mat Kearney is attempting to meld both his hip hop and pop tendencies into one uniform sound (not unlike "Ships in the Night" from Young Love). I'll be interested to see the long-term impact of this release as the year progresses, but for now, tracks like the thoughtful "Heartbreak Dreamer" and the '80's-inspired "Heartbeat" are solid entries in Kearney's catalog.
        - Roger Gelwicks

  • Visit our Mat Kearney page for more information about them...

  • 2015 Countdown:

    15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1
    Highlighting 2015
    ©January 2015 Jesusfreakhideout.com




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    This Monday, September 7
    SINGLES
    Michael W. Smith There She Stands - Single [The Fuel]

    This Wednesday, September 9
    ALBUMS
    Natalie Layne Still Running To You - EP [Centricity]

    SINGLES
    Limoblaze Super Power II (feat. Rua Young) - Single [Reach]

    This Friday, September 11
    ALBUMS
    Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA Unscripted (Live) [Motown Gospel]
    Limoblaze Do It Now (Acoustic) - EP [Reach]
    The Rock Music Not Alone (independent)

    SINGLES
    Johan Asgarde No Other - Single [Gotee]
    Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Free Indeed - Single [Syntax]
    K3hlab The Realm of Grief - Single [Syntax]
    Myles Maestro SOUTHPAW - Single [Syntax]
    Charly Perry Masterpieces - Single [Gotee]
    Matthew Plante HAND ON ME! - Single [Dream]
    QEW & Cyrus Sonata Chamber Exit - Single [Syntax]
    Saints in Exile Stay For You - Single [Syntax]
    Carly Ann Taylor Something Good Is Coming - Single [Curb]

    Next Tuesday, September 15
    SINGLES
    Grace Frances The Promised Land - Single (independent)

    Next Friday, September 18
    ALBUMS
    Anthony Brown & group therAPy Full Disclosure [Tyscot]
    Cory Asbury Outsing The Angels [BEC]
    Franni Cash Here I Am [Capitol CMG]
    for KING & COUNTRY the most beautiful colours [Curb Records]
    Hillside Recording Proverbs & Prayers (Morning) (independent)
    Living Again Living Again II (independent)
    Joseph O'Brien What's Good For Me? [Gotee]

    SINGLES
    ChristianXXII Lift Me Up - Single [Dream]
    Dreamers The God Who Goes Before Me - Single [Dream]
    Josh Grove I'm Done Running - Single (independent)
    Steven Malcolm Kick It To My Twin (ft. DreBreeze Da Godson & DKG KIE) - Single [Curb]
    Lloyd Nicks Can't Take My Eyes Off Heaven - Single [Curb]
    Matthew Plante GOD FEARING! - Single [Dream]
    Xander Sallows hidden treasure - Single [Dream]
    Allan Scott Foxhole Prayers - Single [Dream]
    Victory House Worship Returning - Single (independent)
    Whosoever South Y'all My People - Single (independent)

    VINYL
    Newsboys Not Ashamed [Magenta] Vinyl [Girder]


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