Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of October 9, 2026

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

Welcome back to the latest Fall 2026 edition of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s New Music Reviews!

We have a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s start this party!

 

Habibti (FOMO) by Drake

Drake continued to shock the music world by dropping a third studio album in the same calendar! Habibti follows Iceman and Maid of Honor, which were released this past May simultaneously. I hate to admit this, but Habibti (FOMO) bored me to tears.  The “God’s Plan” entertainer used seven different songs to sample and interpolate into new music, which is extremely uncreative.  D+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Solar Eclipse,” “Quebec,” & “Cold Shoulder.”

 

Crisco by Miranda Lambert

Country music queen Miranda Lambert dropped her tenth solo album, Crisco, at a very particular time. Her collaboration with Ella Langley, “Choosin’ Texas,” which she co-wrote, in the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 for nearly half the year. Back to Crisco, Ms. Lambert co-wrote all but one track on her new offering. This album’s collaborators include featured artists Chris Stapleton (“A Song to Sing”) and Ella Langley (“Snakeskin Boots”), as well as Ashley Monroe, Brendan McLoughlin, David Garcia, Jesse Frasure, Josh Osborne, and Natalie Hemby. Crisco showcases Ms. Lambert’s mastery of a country music kaleidoscope. The title track and “A Song to Sing” have disco elements, while “Till the Going’s Gone” feels like the millennials’ successor to Willie Nelson’s iconic “On the Road Again.” Crisco features some of Miranda Lambert’s best material in years! A-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Snakeskin Boots,” “Crisco,” “A Song to Sing,” “Cuttin’ Onions,” & “Till the Going’s Gone.”

 

Qromelife by Quavo

Rapper Quavo teamed up with Pharrell Williams for his third solo studio album, Qromelife. The Migos alum and the former Voice USA coach’s latest offering features an all-star group of pop and rap music’s finest in the studio. Fellow former Migos member Offset, T.I., Tyler, the Creator, ASAP Rocky, and Justin Timberlake all appear throughout the album. Qromelife features jaw-dropping tracks such as “Hit-A-Lik,” “Baby Breath,” “Trance (Walk It Down),” and “Sweep.”  Quavo and Pharrell are an impeccable team, and this duo could be this decade’s Michael and Quincy! A

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Backwards,” “Hit-A-Lik,” “Baby Breath,” “Trance (Walk It Down),” “Sweep,” & “House Music.”

 

The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore by Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift expanded The Life of a Showgirl era by adding four additional songs, which she re-released under The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore. However, to get to these new tunes, Swifties and music lovers have to re-listen to the album in its entirety. Don’t get me wrong, Taylor Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback are a superb songwriting team, but listening to all 12 songs again is just redundant. As for the four tunes, it feels like the “…Ready for It” singer dug into the vault and decided to put them in The Encore. Despite “Patient Zero” and “Pink Clouding’s” brilliance, it was so unnecessary for Taylor to release The Encore. C-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Patient Zero” & “Pink Clouding.”

 

The Hard Truth by Wynonna

It has been a decade since Wynonna dropped a new studio album. A lot has changed in a decade, including Naomi Judd’s passing in 2022, her alleged rift with her sister Ashley, and her daughter’s personal drama that has been tabloid fodder. The Hard Truth is Wynonna’s tenth solo record, and it is the most personal yet. Indie rocker Iron & Wine, southern rocker Patterson Hood, and country music duo War & Treaty help the “What the World Needs” performer make a comeback. The album’s lyrics hit listeners in the gut, and Wynonna’s heartbreaking honesty makes The Hard Truth an impeccable album and a guide to dealing with grief. A

 Tracks to Download or Stream: “All Downhill from Ashland,” “Everything,” “Am I Missing Out,” “Hear Me Out,” & “Kentucky Queen.”

 

“World’s Greatest!” by Lil Nas X

The past few years have been rough for the rapper-singer Lil Nas X, as the world saw him go through an alleged mental health crisis in tabloid headlines. Now, the “Old Town Road” superstar released a new single, “World’s Greatest!” Rolling Stone reported that the song is his first new single in two years. “World’s Greatest!” has elements of Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” mixed with Reggae and an addictive guitar hook. This was a superb surprise, and Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar continues to send good vibes to Lil Nas X. B+ 

 

“Flying Blind” by Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators

Next year, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators will celebrate their 15^th anniversary with a tour and their fifth studio album! The rockers released “Flying Blind,” the title track from the fifth record. Slash’s impeccable guitar licks and solos continue to deliver, while Myles Kennedy’s powerful vocals blend well with the iconic guitarist. “Flying Blind” is definitely one of 2026’s best rock anthems and sets an exciting tone for what is to come!  A-

 

Artists to Watch:

Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are four recording artists that are ready to rock the music world!

 

“Strength of a Woman” by Lee Newton

Country music singer Lee Newton released a new single, “Strength of a Woman.” The powerful tune focuses on the challenges that women and families face, including domestic violence, homelessness, and childhood cancer.  Lee’s vocals have a hint of Jennifer Nettles and Lee Ann Womack, which will delight listeners’ ears.  If “I Hope You Dance” is the top life-affirming song in country music, “Strength of a Woman” is an anthem for listeners to take life by the horns and overcome any obstacle in their path. B+

 

“Medicine” by OUT IN FRONT

Los Angeles alt-rock trio OUT IN FRONT is made up of lead vocalist Maddie Renner, bassist Ryen Wagner, and drummer Isaiah Volk have already opened for AJR, the All-American Rejects, and Yellowcard, and are looking to keep building their presence in the music world with their latest single, “Medicine.”  Wagner’s hypnotic bass, Volk’s superb drumming, and Renner’s vocals make this tune an impeccable banger! B+

 

“Rendezvous” by SUM SUN

New York City-based alternative pop duo SUM SUN (Nick Benton and Ilan Pomerance) are getting national attention thanks to major Spotify editorial support and opening for the Strike. The duo plans on dropping their debut album in early December. Their first single is the album’s title track, “Rendezvous.” The song is electric, driven by hypnotic melodies and a catchy chorus. SUM SUN have the potential to be this decade’s The Chainsmokers. A-

 

“The Great Unknown” by Tennyson King

Hong Kong-born, Toronto-raised Tennyson King concludes this edition of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s “New Music Reviews.” His latest single, “The Great Unknown,” showcases his mastery of fusing traditional Chinese instrumentation with Western folk music.  The lyrics and superb instrumental arrangements gave me chills.  “The Great Unknown “ is a beautiful, life-affirming song. A

 

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