Welcome to the latest installment of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews of 2025! (Bitmoji property of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Happy New Music Friday! We got some new music to unpack, so let’s start this party!
Several songs of Ava Max’s Don’t Click Play could be the children of Britney Spears’s Blackout era and Lady Gaga’s early days. (Album cover property of Atlantic Records)
Don’t Click Play by Ava Max
Ava Max is back with her third studio album, Don’t Click Play. The “Kings & Queens” performer teamed up with pop music heavyweights Delacey, Jason Evigan, Joshua Coleman, Melanie Fontana, Ryan Tedder, Sam Martin, and Scott Harris to craft the album’s 12 tracks. Meanwhile, Frequency and Pink Slip produced Don’t Click Play. As I listened to the record, I found several songs that could be the children of Britney Spears’s Blackout era and Lady Gaga’s early days, while also claiming to be the grandchildren of the 1980s synth-pop anthems. I could see this record being in contention for major accolades during the 2025-26 award season. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Don’t Click Play,” “How Can I Dance,” “Lovin Myself,” “Know Somebody,” & “Lost Your Faith.”
Ciara’s CiCi is one of 2025’s strongest R&B records that many future hitmakers are going to use as a road map for years to come. (Album cover property of Beauty Marks Entertainment)
CiCi by Ciara
Ciara dropped her first full-length album (eighth overall), CiCi, for the first time in six years. The “Level Up” performer enlisted an all-star group of collaborators for this endeavor. Andy D. Park, J.R. Rotem, Precision Productions, Theron Thomas, and Tommy Brown are some of the producers who joined her in the production booth. Meanwhile, Big Freeda, Busta Rhymes, Chris Brown, and Latto are some of the featured artists who make appearances throughout CiCi. The album has the potential to be this generation’s All for You. CiCi is one of 2025’s strongest R&B records that many future hitmakers are going to use as a road map for years to come. A+
Tracks to Download or Stream: “How We Roll,” “Run It Up,” “Type A Party,” “Wassup,” “Drop Your Love,” & “This Right Here.”
Dark Universe by Danny Elfman & Universal Destinations & Experiences
Earlier this year, the Universal Monsters received their first dedicated land, Dark Universe, at Universal’s Epic Universe. Legendary composer Danny Elfman crafted the atmospheric music that welcomes visitors as they explore Darkmoor Village, home to the Universal Monsters and Dr. Henry Frankenstein’s great-great-great-granddaughter, Dr. Victoria Frankenstein. The iconic composer behind Batman (1989), The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Simpsons, and Spider-Man (2002) did an exceptional job capturing the essence of music from Universal’s classic monster films such as Dracula, The Wolf Man (1941), and Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, while adding a new chapter to this historic pop culture franchise. Visitors will feel like they’re shopping in Pretorius Scientific Oddities or meeting the Frankenstein Monsters, the Invisible Man, and Ygor around the village. They can also imagine facing their fears in either Curse of the Werewolf or Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. The Dark Universe soundtrack is the perfect addition to any horror fan’s playlist, so they can feel like they are in Darkmoor Village 24/7. B+
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Victoria’s Monster,” “Pretorius Scientific Oddities,” “Henry’s Legacy,” & “Open the Doors!”
With too many cooks in the kitchen, Offset’s Kiari lacks a clear roadmap to guide listeners. (Album cover property of Motown Records)
Kiari by Offset
Rapper Offset dropped his self-titled studio album, Kiari. The former Migos member amassed a variety of collaborators that included 33(!) producers and countless writers to produce the 18 beats that are a part of this record. While featured artists JID, John Legend, Ty Dolla $ign, and Youngboy Never Broke Again are welcome additions to the record, I found the record boring. With this many cooks in the kitchen, Kiari lacks a clear roadmap to guide listeners. C-
Tracks to Downloads or Stream: “Pills,” “Bodies,” & “Never Let Go.”
“Lonely Night in the Park” by Bruce Springsteen
As Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run celebrates its 50th birthday, Sony Music unleashed an unreleased song from the iconic album, “Lonely Night in the Park.” This song showcases Springsteen’s signature swagger and the E Street Band’s superb sound. “Lonely Night in the Park” could have had the chance of becoming a legendary song like the title track, “Thunder Road,” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.” B+
“Timber” by Davis Mallory + Depdramez
Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar friend Davis Mallory teamed up with music producer Depdramez to tackle Pitbull and Kesha’s “Timber.” Davis and Depdramez made a fun cover that would be perfect for either a dance party or workout streaming playlist. B
“Everybody Scream” by Florence + The Machine
Florence + the Machine are releasing a Halloween record! The “Cosmic Love” band will drop their fifth studio album, Everybody Scream, on October 31. Ms. Welch collaborated with Mitski Miyawaki and Mark Bowen on co-penning this tune, while James Ford and Aaron Dessner joined the band leader and Bowen in the production studio. As a longtime fan of this English indie rock band, this is the darkest material that I have heard from them. Once again, Florence Welch’s iconic voice will leave listeners in trances, and it is a great song to set the mood for the fall season. B+
“Mi Tierra” by Gloria Estefan & Kelly Clarkson
Earlier this week, the legendary Gloria Estefan appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show’s nightly spin-off, Songs & Stories with Kelly Clarkson. The music powerhouses performed a brief cover of the “Conga” performer’s 1993 hit, “Mi Tierra.” I loved hearing Kelly sing in Spanish, and their voices beautifully blended together. A-
“A Song to Sing” by Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Two country music superstars, Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton, came together for a new collaboration: “A Song to Sing.” The duo co-penned the track with Jesse Frasure and Jenee Fleenor, while Dave Cobb produced it. I got goosebumps immediately! “A Song to Sing” might be this generation’s “Islands in the Stream!” Bravo, Miranda & Chris! A
Artists to Watch:
Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are the performers and bands that are shaking up the music industry.
“Came Back Country” by Adam Warner
Nashville-based singer-songwriter and proud US Marine Corps veteran Adam Warner dropped his latest single, “Came Back Country.” He co-wrote the track with Jeb Gibson and Daniel Dennis (who also co-produced the track with Adam), focusing on the transformation of a Los Angeles superstar who embarks on a Nashville excursion. “Going Back Country” is a superb jam that will inspire others to go to Nashville. B+
“Eyes” by James Maslow
As James Maslow is wrapping up Big Time Rush’s summer tour, he released his latest solo single, “Eyes.” “Eyes” is a superb blues-pop ballad that showcases the performer’s songwriting chops while delivering a splendid vocal performance. A-
“Born to Run” by Sam Edelston & Dulcimer
Sam Edelston wraps up this edition of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s New Music Reviews. He is one of the most unique instrumentalists I have ever listened to, as he primarily uses the dulcimer, a three-string instrument, to create music. As Bruce Springsteen’s iconic anthem, “Born to Run,” celebrates its 50th birthday this year, I listened to his interpretation. As a massive Springsteen fan, this distinct cover is definitely out of the box, but it honors “Born to Run’s” legacy. B+
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