Welcome to the latest installment of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! (Bitmoji property of Jake’s Take)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the latest edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! We got a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s start this party!
Dan + Shay’s Bigger Houses is one of their best albums to date! (Album cover property of Warner Music Nashville)
Bigger Houses by Dan + Shay
Dan + Shay’s Bigger Houses marks a new chapter for the country music duo. Earlier this year, the “From the Ground Up” performers shocked fans with a People Magazine report that they almost broke up after their 2021 tour. Bigger Houses is the duo’s fifth studio album, and the record would make fans reminisce about the duo’s early days. The goosebump-inducing “For the Both of Us” and the title track might be perfect follow-ups to “From the Ground Up,” while “Save Me the Trouble” has gleams of “Road Trippin’.” Kudos to songwriters including Andy Albert, Ashley Gorley, Jimmy Robbins, Jordan Minton, Jordan Reynolds, and Lori McKenna, who assisted the duo with the songwriting duties, while music industry veteran Scott Hendricks helped Dan with the album production. Bigger Houses is a potent record and one of the duo’s best pieces of work. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Save Me the Trouble,” “Heartbreak on the Map,” “Always Gonna Be,” “For the Both of Us,” & “Bigger Houses.”
Demi Lovato gave some of her classics a rock updated in the REVAMPED EP. (Album cover property of Island Records)
Revamped by Demi Lovato
Last year, Demi Lovato marked a new shift in her career. The former X Factor USA judge went into the rock music lane with a new label (Island Records) and sound, which was reflected on her eighth studio album, Holy Fvck. Revamped, Demi’s first remixed album takes some of her top hits and transfigures them into rock anthems. A lot of the songs featured in Revamped, including “Cool for the Summer,” “Confident,” “Skyscraper,” and “Heart Attack,” benefit from their rock makeover. Keep an ear out for Bert McCracken, The Maine, and Slash, this album’s featured artists. Well done, Demi! A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Confident (Rock Version),” “Cool for the Summer (Rock Version),” “Heart Attack (Rock Version),” & “Give Your Heart a Break (Rock Version).”
“Bongos” by Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion
Two of hip-hop’s top recording artists, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, reunited for another song: “Bongos.” The duo delivered a superb sequel to 2020’s “WAP,” which contained a hypnotic background that will make everyone dance in their seats.” While it might take a while for “Bongos” to grow on people, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion superfans will be more than satisfied with this collaboration. B
“I Got a Problem” by Drake Milligan
Last year, Drake Milligan made waves on America’s Got Talent (AGT) and nearly won Season 17. The breakout country music artist recently returned to the NBC talent competition to premiere “I Got A Problem.” In a world filled with “Fast Cars” and “Rich Men North of Richmond,” “I Got a Problem” is the perfect toe-tapping country song that will dominate the country music charts and streaming playlists for months to come. B+
“Angry” by The Rolling Stones
Rock legends the Rolling Stones will release a new studio album full of new material for the first time since 2005’s A Bigger Bang. “Angry,” the first single of the rockers’ upcoming twenty-sixth studio album, features classic lyrics from Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, who co-wrote the track with rising superstar producer Andrew Watt. “Angry” has “Start Me Up” shades mixed with superb guitar licks and drumming. I am looking forward to hearing the rest of the record. A-
Artists to Watch:
Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are some of the recording artists and bands that have potential to dominate the music industry.
Honey by Vakili Band
The Vakili Band dropped their third studio album, Honey. The band comprises vocalist Lily Vakili, lead guitarist Ben St. Jack, harmonica player Joel Dorow, bassist Matt Jovanis, and drummer Gordon Kuba. Lily produced the entire album for the first time in band history, and Honey perfectly captures the legendary punk rock sound that dominated the 1970s New York City music scene. Velvet Underground fans will connect with “Yves Call Her Betty,” while “To the Park” pays homage to Lou Reed perfectly. Honey is a superb listening experience from start to finish, and I hope many of these songs find their way to many streaming and radio playlists. A
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Mapplethorpe,” “Yves Call Her Betty,” “To the Park,” “Honey,” & “Pyro Luv Attack.”
“When You’re Gone” by the Alter Kakers
Toronto indie rock band The Alter Kakers released a new song they have held onto for years. Steve Bronstein (guitarist and vocalist), Cary Corvair (bassist and vocalist), and Dan Barsi (drummer) make up the band. Steve initially wrote the song’s lyrics 30 years ago but stashed it away. Fast forward to the present day, and the band decided to unearth the tune. “When You’re Gone” is one of the best indie rock pieces I have heard throughout 2023. I loved the guitar licks, and the lyrics are top-notch! B+
“When It Comes to You” by Kellie Loder
Singer-songwriter and Canada’s Got Talent: Season Two Runner-Up Kellie Loder released a new single: “When It Comes to You.” The song focuses on when Kellie reconnected with an ex-love during the pandemic. The Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada-based performer tugs at listeners’ heartstrings and marks a strong start for a new chapter in the career. A-
“Fasi” by Matteo Bocelli
Capitol Records recording artist wraps up this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews. His latest single, “Fasi,” which is part of his self-titled album, Matteo, reminds me of a marriage of Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars” and Andrea Bocelli’s “Because We Believe.” “Fasi” is an irresistible piece of ear candy and showcases Matteo’s pop star potential. A
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