By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the first September 2016 edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews!
We got a lot of ground to cover! So let’s get this party started.
(Album cover courtesy of Bobbi Marcus PR)
The Sting Variations by the Tierney Sutton Band
Seven-time Grammy-nominated artist Tierney Sutton and her band kick off this edition with their latest studio album. For their latest record, the band pays homage to one of the greatest singer-songwriters in modern day music: Gordon Sumner also knows as Sting! Throughout 14 tracks, the jazz band highlights the Police frontman’s nearly 40 years as both a solo artist and his work with the Police. The Tierney Sutton Band’s superb takes on classics such as “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free,” “Message in the Bottle,” and “Fields of Gold,” the band also did an impeccable job breathing new life into B-tracks such as “Shadows in the Rain” and “Language of Birds.” I applaud artists who want to take risks and publish material that could divide their listeners. I hope that both the jazz community and Sting’s fan base embraces this fantastic album. Congratulations, the Tierney Sutton Band! The Sting Variations is my Album of the Week! A+
Tracks to Download: “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free,” “Shadows in the Rain,” “Message in a Bottle,” “Fields of Gold,” & “Every Breath You Take.”
(Album cover property of Monkey Puzzle Records & RCA Records)
“The Greatest” by Sia & Kendrick Lamar
Sia released new music earlier this week! “The Greatest” is a song that the “Chandelier” and “Diamonds” singer-songwriter penned with longtime collaborative Greg Kurstin in honor of the 49 victims that were killed at Orlando’s gay nightclub The Pulse earlier this summer. Sia’s lyrics and Kendrick Lamar’s inspirational rap will lift up the victims’ families, survivors, and anyone who is struggling through hardships at this time. I could see this track turn into an anthem that will be an empowerment song for the LGBT community. A-
(Album cover property of Island Records)
“Hurt Like Hell” by the Heydaze
It has been a while since we have heard from friends of the blog: The Heydaze. Since the band sat down for “A Conversation” in July 2014, they have added two new band members and were signed to a recording contract with Island Records! Their latest single, “Hurt Like Hell,” shows how much progress the group has made over the past two years. The Heydaze’s sound is so much smoother, and the lyrics are catchier! I love when bands show their growth and The Heydaze are on their way to conquer the pop rock scene. Congrats, guys! “Hurt Like Hell” is my Song of the Week! A+
“Kids” by OneRepublic
One of Jake’s Take’s favorite bands is back! Three years after the release of 2013’s Native, the Colorado Springs, Colorado pop rock band is getting ready to release their fourth studio: Oh My My. Last night, OneRepublic premiered their official single, “Kids,” before the Denver Broncos took to the Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium and tackled the Carolina Panthers. Ryan Tedder and Brett Kutzle teamed up with Brandon Michael Collins and Steve Wilmot to transport their listeners back to their childhood. “Kids” brilliantly marries electropop and pop rock into a superb song that will put a smile on their audiences’ faces. I cannot wait to hear more material from OneRepublic soon! A-
“Bad Thing” by The Mowgli’s
Numerous bands have played a role in the first five years of this blog, but none of them have made a bigger impression than my friends: The Mowgli’s. I have interviewed both vocalists Colin Dieden and Katie Earl and have seen this impeccable band in action when they have performed in Kansas City. Recently, Yahoo Music debuted the band’s lead single: “Bad Thing” off of their upcoming third studio album: Where’d Your Weekend Go? From the hypnotic drum track that is weaved throughout the single to Dieden and Earl’s superb harmonies, “Bad Thing” is a brilliant track that showcases why the Los Angeles-based alternative band are still the Kings and Queen of Alternative bands. A
(Album cover property of Interscope Records)
“Perfect Illusion” by Lady Gaga
Eight years ago, the music industry was introduced to one woman who began to turn pop music industry upside down. From her outrageous outfits to party anthems, Lady Gaga quickly became a household name who has earned the respect of Little Monsters, music legends (Elton John, Rolling Stones, Sting, and Tony Bennett) and contemporaries (Beyonce, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera) alike. “Perfect Illusion” is Lady Gaga’s first single off of her upcoming fifth studio album. Co-written and produced by Gaga, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, Mark Ronson, and Kansas City, Kansas native BloodPop, the song is the same league as “Poker Face,” “Paparazzi,” and “Born This Way.” “Perfect Illusion” will ignite dance floors around the world and will probably the fall’s breakout track. Brava, Lady Gaga! A
“Banshees” by Pamela Hute
Jake’s Take always tries its best to introduce our readers to rising and upcoming artists. One artist that I am presenting to you today is Pamela Hute. The Paris, France indie rocker was described by veteran music producer John Angello (Cyndi Lauper, the Kills, and Sonic Youth) as “the queen of the pop hook.” “Banshees” is Hute’s latest single off of her upcoming EP: Today. “Banshees” is one of the most haunting tracks that I have listened to so far this year and her hypnotic hooks will put the listener into a psychedelic trance. I believe that Ms. Hute’s sound can compete with Tegan and Sara, but also the international music market should notice her boundary-breaking music. B+
“Sad Song” by Cindy Alma
Cindy Alma is closing out this week’s edition of New Music Reviews! The Marseilles, France singer-songwriter has slowly been taking the EDM world by storm after her high profile collaborations with EDM producer and DJ Armin van Buuren. Their partnership has taken the duo on a giant world tour that touched five different continents. This month, her single, “Sad Song,” will be featured in the upcoming film: Honey 3. Ms. Alma’s high octane vocals will blow listeners away and also commands the audience’s attention through the 3-minute and 54-second song. Ms. Alma’s career is just getting started, and I believe that we could be looking at one of the EDM’s top songbirds. B+
I do not own any of the clips that are featured in this article. They belong to the artists and their respective record labels.
