Jake’s Take’s Music Reviews: Week of April 29, 2016

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

It is a new day as New Music Reviews has evolved into Jake’s Take’s Music Reviews!

To commemorate this special occasion, Jake’s Take has gathered some of the best new music from our favorite artists and two friends of the blog.

So without further ado…let’s get this party started!

Lemonade by Beyoncé

Beyoncé has done it again! For the second time in six years, she dropped a studio album when we least expect it. Lemonade marks her fifth studio album as a solo artist. For this effort, she recruited an all-star troop of producers and songwriters such as Diplo, Panda Bear, The-Dream, Hit-Boy, Rock City, Andre 3000 and Mike Will Made It to craft tracks for the album.  In addition, this marked the first time that Beyoncé recorded with collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, the Weeknd, James Blake and Jack White.  The tracks are edgy and the lyrics might hint that there’s trouble in paradise with her fellow superstar husband: Jay-Z. The only petite problem that I have with the album that Beyoncé and her supergroup used a lot of samples in the album making process. If you listen carefully, “6 Inch” contains material from Burt Bacharach & Hal David’s “Walk on By” and “Don’t Hurt Yourself” has Led Zeppelin’s “When the Levee Breaks.” While I love my Queen Bey, it worries me that there might be a lack of creativity in the studio. Other than that, Lemonade is a sturdy album. A-

Tracks to Download: “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” “6 Inch,” “Freedom,” “All Night” & “Sorry”

Reckless by Martina McBride

Country superstar Martina McBride’s thirteenth studio album marks the first time since 2011 that she released an album full of new material. After the fabulous album known as Everlasting, there were parts of Reckless that made me fall asleep. I counted on my fellow Kansan for making music that alternates between making me want to dance or reflect on my life, but unfortunately this album barely has any tunes that satisfies any of my requirements. C-

Tracks to Download: “Reckless” & “That’s the Thing About Love”

 

Better by Haley Reinhart

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to interview Haley Reinhart. Little did I know that after the interview that Haley would announce that she will release her sophomore album. Which she announced that would drop at the end of April. Well, the day is finally here! From the first notes of “My Cake” to her enchanting take on “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” Better is a record that should be played on the radio non-stop! Listeners would not get bored by this album. Her innate ability to blend multiple musical genres together would satisfy any picky music lover. Congratulations, Haley! Better is Jake’s Take’s Music Reviews’ Album of the Week! A+

Tracks to Download: “My Cake,” “Better,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “Bad Light” & “Talkin’ About”

“Just Like Fire” by P!nk

I love when P!nk releases new music! Her latest single, “Just Like Fire,” is the first single off of the upcoming Alice Through the Looking Glass soundtrack. P!nk co-wrote the track with longtime collaborator Max Martin (“U & Ur Hand,” “Who Knew,” “So What” & “Slut Like You”) and rising stars Shellback and Oscar Holter. This single showcased P!nk at her finest! Her fiery and passionate vocals mixed with Max Martin’s guitar heavy production makes this one of P!nk’s best pieces of ear candy in years. A-

 

“True Colors” by Zedd & Kesha

I am so happy that Kesha is recording dance music and a thousand kudos have to go to Zedd for getting the “Don’t Stop” singer back in the studio. Zedd breathed new life into one of his most forgettable tracks on his 2015 True Colors album by adding Kesha’s edgy vocals into the track. The result…a haunting single that might be a dark horse candidate for the song of the summer. A

“Control and the Urge to Pray” by Saosin

For the first time since 2009, post-hardcore rock band Saosin is fronted by founding member and lead vocalist Anthony Green. The quartet (Green, rhythm guitarist Beau Burchell, bass guitarist Chris Sorenson and drummer Alex Rodriguez) just unleashed their third single: “Control and the Urge to Pray” on Billboard’s website.  Normally, I am not a fan of post-hardcore rock, but their sound attracted my curiosity and I will definitely keep this band on my radar. B

 

“Never Gonna Beg For It” by Nick de la Hoyde

This edition’s rising artist hails from Sydney, Australia. Singer-rapper Nick de la Hoyde has been growing a powerful following on social media and now he is ready to breakout worldwide. I believe “Never Gonna Beg For It” is a great alternative for people tired of hearing the usual suspects (Bieber, Derulo, Mendes and One Direction).  Its catchy hooks and superb lyrics showcase why we need to keep an eye on Mr. de la Hoyde. B+  

“Tennessee Whiskey” by Clark Beckham featuring Madison Ryan

Friend of the blog and American Idol XIV runner-up Clark Beckham is back with a brand new cover: Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey.” Clark exclusively told me that we have to thank his mom for making this duet happen. “She just showed me Madison singing on Twitter and I freaked out! We connected and coincidentally, she came to Nashville after we met.” Clark also added that Madison did not have any formal musical training and when I first heard her voice, I nearly dropped my computer from pure shock. Her bluesy voice will blow you away! I loved this cover from the time that Clark played the first note on his guitar. Congratulations, Clark and Madison! Your cover of “Tennessee Whiskey” is my Song of the Week! A+

I do not own any of the clips that are featured in the article. They belong to the artists and their respective record companies.