Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of September 4, 2026

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

Welcome to the latest edition of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s New Music Reviews! We got a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s start this party!  

 

I Must Be Dreaming by Alabama Shakes

Alabama Shakes are back! Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Brittany Howard, bassist Zac Cockrell, and lead guitarist Heath Fogg have released their first studio album in 11 years! I Must Be Dreaming features all-new tracks co-written by the band. Throughout the album, Brittany Howard showcases her dominant powerhouse vocals, while both Zac and Heath’s guitar arrangements continue to impress listeners. I Must Be Dreaming will leave listeners in a satisfying trance. This is the perfect comeback record! B+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Another Life,” “Easy,” “I Feel Hope Coming,” “Friends,” & “American Dream.”

 

WILDCHILD by Alex Warren

Alex Warren continues to rise in the pop music world! Recently, he dropped his sophomore album, WILDCHILD! Alex brought back his core co-writing team of Adam Yaron, Mags Duval, and Cal Shapiro) and welcomed both John Mayer and Nile Rodgers as session musicians for the title track and “Emerald Eyes,” respectively.  WILDCHILD is a spectacular album from start to finish, and Alex Warren is truly showcasing why he is his generation’s top music maker. A-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Emerald Eyes,” “Passenger,” “Cry Wolf,” “Fine Place to Die,” “I Miss You More,” & “Fever Dream.”

 

August 26 by Post Malone

Post Malone decided to re-release his August 26 mixtape to commemorate its tenth anniversary. As I listened to this mixtape, I was in awe of the superstar potential showcased by the future “Sunflower” and “Standing in the Sun” recording artist. 2 Chainz, FKi 1^st, Jaden Smith, Larry Jane, and Teo did a superb job working with Post and this mixtape showcases the beginning of Post’s collaborative relationships with longtime creative partners Charlie Handsome and Louis Bell. Happy Tenth Anniversary, August 26!  B

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Money Made Me Do It,” “F**k,” “40 Funk,” & “Hollywood Dreams”/ “Come Down.”

 

Timeless by Prince

It is hard to believe that it has been a decade since the world lost Prince. Over the years, fans learned that the “Purple Rain” and “Raspberry Beret” entertainer had a vault full of hundreds of hours of unreleased music. Timeless is the fourth posthumous album that Prince’s estate released. Billboard reported that this collection of music ranges from 1977 to 2016. The tracks include “With This Tear,” a song that he gave to Celine Dion; “Heaven,” a Prince + the Revolution track featuring vocals from Prince’s former Revolution bandmate and girlfriend Susannah Melvoin; and a live version of “How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore.” Timeless is an impeccable collection that features Prince at his absolute best! We miss you, Purple One! A

Tracks to Download or Stream: “I Am You,” “Tick Tick Bang,” “I Wonder,” “With This Tear,”  “Stone,” & “The Guilty Ones.”

 

Everything’s Falling by The Warning

The Warning is one of the best rock bands to come out of the 2020s so far. Sisters Daniela “Dany” Villarreal Velez, Paulina “Pau” Villarreal Vélez, and Alejandra “Ale” Villarreal Vélez make up this heavy metal trio. The ladies dropped Everything’s Falling, their third offering from Lava Records and Republic Records. The Villarreal Velez sisters reunited with Keep Me Fed producer and collaborator Anton DeLost, who assisted The Warning with production and songwriting. The quartet also welcomed Ali Tamposi, Andy Seltzer, Danielle Rubio, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Kat Leon, and Nicolas Perez into their camp to help shape the record. Everything’s Falling continues to showcase The Warning’s superb vocals, outstanding production, and splendid instrumental arrangements. A+  

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Ritual,” “Perfect Daughter,” “Everything’s Falling,” “Bite My Tongue,” “Break,” & “Kerosene.”

 

Artists to Watch:

 

Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are the bands and recording artists looking to shake up the music world!

 

“Careless Whisper” by Ella Boh

Los Angeles dark pop music recording artist Ella Boh released a cover of the late and greatly missed George Michael’s “Careless Whisper.” As I listened to this track, Ella’s vocals reminded me of Lana Del Rey’s vocal performances on “Summertime Sadness” and “Did you know there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd?” with a touch of Izzy Hale. I believe that fans will be caught in a mesmerizing spell as they listen to this perfect cover, and George would have been proud. A

 

“The Illusion of Love” by Laci Kaye Booth & Lukas Nelson

Laci Kaye Booth has come a long way since she performed for America’s votes during American Idol: Season 17. In addition to supporting both Brad Paisley and Ella Langley, Laci dropped her latest collaboration, “The Illusion of Love,” featuring Lukas Nelson. The hypnotic tune features superb vocals from both recording artists and transports listeners to a Tex-Mex nightclub for a chance at forbidden romance. B+

“Holy Smokes!” by SHOOP

Los Angeles-based alt-pop SHOOP is ending summer with a bang! He teamed up with co-writers Jonah Shy and Paul Dally and co-producer Suzy Shinn and released “Holy Smokes.” “Holy Smokes!” is a superb end-of-summer jam. A-

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