Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of November 5, 2026

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

Happy New Music Friday! We got a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s start this party!

 

Watertown by Brothers Osborne

I must credit both The Bobby Bones Show for introducing me to the Brothers Osborne and to the Zac Brown Band, who gave the duo the opportunity to open their Love and Fear Tour. TJ and John Osborne released Watertown, their fifth studio album. The Brothers Osborne drew inspiration for this record from their hometown of Deale, Maryland (population 5,333). Cody Johnson (“Born & Raised Hell”) and Steven Wilson, Jr. (“Tough Kid”) are this album’s featured artists, and the duo reunited with Pawn Shop, Port Saint Joe, and Skeletons executive producer Jay Joyce for production. Watertown is a superb record that showcases why Brothers Osborne remain an important voice in country music. B+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Born & Raised Hell,” “R.I.P,” “High,” “Doors,” & “Tough Kid.”  

 

Apple Music Live by Sir Elton John

The legendary Sir Elton John was the first performer to christen the Apple Music Hall stage in London on September 28, 2026. The British Piano Man played his classics such as “Your Song,” “Bennie and the Jets,” and “Rocket Man,” along with a rare performance of “The Greatest Discovery,” a gem from his 1970 self-titled debut.  While I am disappointed he didn’t include “The Bitch is Back,” “I’m Still Standing,” or “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” Sir Elton showed he still has the powerful vocals and impeccable piano-playing that made him a household name for decades. A+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Your Song (Live),” “The Greatest Discovery (Live),” “Bennie & The Jets (Live),” “I Guess That They Called it the Blues (Live),” “Tiny Dancer (Live),” “Rocket Man (Live),” & “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Live).”

 

The Way We Were: My American Songbook by Itzhak Perlman

16-time Grammy-winning violinist Itzhak Perlman released his first set of new music in a decade – The Way We Were: My American Songbook.  The 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient took listeners on an impeccable journey, showcasing his interpretations of the Great American Songbook. From George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, and Stephen Sondheim to Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, the living legend brilliantly delivers a superb tribute to America’s Golden Age of Music.  Listeners should also keep an ear out for his collaborators Jon Batiste (“Summertime”), Josh Groban (“Some Enchanted Evening”), and the late Ella Fitzgerald (“Someone to Watch Over Me”). Bravo, Maestro! A-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “The Way We Were,” “Summertime,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” & “Someone to Watch Over Me.”  

 

You & I – EP by Labrinth

British musician and producer Labrinth dropped the five-song EP You & I as part of his campaign with fashion powerhouse H&M. This new set of music brilliantly showcased his ability to merge EDM with baroque pop and hip-hop musical elements. A highlight is his take on Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is.” You & I – EP brilliantly transports listeners directly to the runway. B

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Historic Romance,” “Sleek Noir,” & “I Want to Know What Love Is (Lab Version).”

 

Everything Under the Sun by Nickelback

30 years after their debut album, Curb, 12-time JUNO Award-winning rock band Nickelback released their eleventh studio album, Everything Under the Sun. Vocalist and guitarist Chad Kroeger, bassist Mike Kroeger, vocalist and guitarist Ryan Peake, and drummer Daniel Adair brought in an all-star team of collaborators for this milestone album. Carlos de la Garza, Dallas Davidson, Ernst, Ido Zmishlany, John 5, and Lovelytheband all helped Chad co-pen the tunes. Meanwhile, John 5 (“Rattle the Cage”), and music heavyweights Sammy Hager, Joe Bonamassa, Zach Myers, and Tommy Lee (“Lift Somebody Up”) are this album’s featured artists.  Everything Under the Sun is one of Nickelback’s strongest records in years, and it reminds me so much of the first time I listened to 2005’s All the Right Reasons when I attended Blue Valley Northwest High School. A-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Rattle the Cage,” “Bones for the Crows,” “I Already Know,” “Leave Me Behind,” “Make Me Love You,” & “Lift Somebody Up.”

 

“Takin’ This City Back” by Brian Falduto

Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar friend Brian Falduto will release his latest EP, I Could Be Happy, on Friday, November 13. One song on the seven-track project is “Takin’ This City Back.” Brian’s velvet baritone transports listeners back to a city that once broke his heart but now seeks a second chance at redemption. It is one of the most beautiful original tunes I have heard all year. A

 

“She’ll Never Be Me” by Britney Spears

25 years ago, Britney Spears released her first self-titled studio album that shook up the pop music world! To commemorate Britney’s silver anniversary, RCA Records re-released the album with new material from the vault such as “She’ll Never Be Me.” The “I’m A Slave 4 U” icon co-penned this song with her ex (JT), Bradley Daymond, and Alex Triggs (who also co-produced the tune).  As a millennial that grew up watching Britney in her prime, this song would have been a massive hit for her, and it perfectly states that while many pop recording artists come and go, there will never be another Britney! A+

 

“Breaks Open” by Dove Cameron

Disney’s Descendants and Schmigadoon alum Dove Cameron’s debut record, Final Girl, has been released from the Columbia and Disruptor labels’ vault. The starlet co-wrote the promotional single, “Breaks Open,” with Pete Kelleher (who also produced the tune), Megan Bulow, and Annika Bennett. “Breaks Open” is a superb tune that lets Dove channel her inner Adele, Florence Welch, and Lana Del Rey, and Kelleher’s orchestral pop build-up makes “Breaks Open” a delightful piece of ear candy! B+

 

Artists to Watch:

Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are several musicians who are ready to shake up the music world:

 

Bleach by Haiden Henderson

Haiden Henderson dropped his debut album, Bleach, via Lava and Republic Records last month. Haiden teamed up with producer Benny Cassette on this 13-track project that focuses on attention, masculinity, relationships, and sex, all while maintaining a presentable public persona. Bleach showcases Haiden and Benny Cassette’s mastery of blending R&B/hip-hop and guitar-driven pop into delicious, bite-sized tracks.  It also shows that Haiden has a lot of promise, and he could be around in the music world for years to come. A-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Dumblond,” “I Wanna Be Your Girl,” “NSFW,” “The Show,” & “Kick My A—.”

 

“Emotion” by Ae! Group

J-rock band Ae! Group is dominating social media! Over 415K TikTok and 666K Instagram followers have fallen in love with Yoshinori Masakado, Seiya Suezawa, Ken Kojima, and Masaya Sano.  The Universal Music Japan quartet just dropped their latest single: “Emotion.” It brilliantly combines J-pop elegance with heavy metal guitars that would make fans dance! Ae! Group has the potential to dominate the global music market in the remaining 2020s and early 2030s. B+

 

“Hey Little Frankie” by Bif Naked

Canadian platinum recording artist Bif Naked is known for rocking out, but for her new single, “Hey Little Frankie,” she traded her heavy guitars for EDM. Produced by Jason Darr, “Hey Little Frankie” allows Bif Naked to own the dance floor with a hypnotic chorus and beats. B

 

“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by Sam Fender

Sam Fender rounds out this edition of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s New Music Reviews! The UK-based rising star tackled one of the Rolling Stones’ most iconic songs: “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” The three-time BRIT Award-winning performer teamed up with his bandmates, Joe Atkinson and Dean Thomson, along with his alma mater (John Spence Community High School)’s choir. This cover is pure brilliance and tugs at your heartstrings! A

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