Welcome to the latest installment of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! (Bitmoji property of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the Jake’s Take’s New Music Review of November 2023! We got A LOT of new music to unpack, so let’s start this party!
R&B music icon Brandy dropped her first holiday album: Christmas with Brandy. (Album cover property of Brand Nu Inc & Motown Records)
Christmas with Brandy by Brandy
R&B music icon Brandy dropped her eighth studio album and first-holiday record: Christmas with Brandy. The album features a combination of original music that the Cinderella performer co-wrote with Sebastian Kole, Theron Feemster, and David Williams II (both Feemster and Williams II produced the entire record with Jaha Johnson) and iconic holiday anthems. While “Christmas Party for Two” was a bit boring, I thought Brandy and her team did a superb job selecting songs for her record. B
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Feels Different,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Santa Baby,” “Shine Out Your Light,” & “Christmas Gift.”
Chris Stapleton’s Higher still showcases that he is a top triple threat but there are several songs that are starting to sound repetitive. (Album cover property of Mercury Nashville & Sound Records)
Higher by Chris Stapleton
Singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton has become one of country music’s premiere storytellers. The “Tennessee Whiskey” performer has amassed five Billboard Music Awards, eight Grammys, and 10 Academy of Country Music Awards throughout his career. Higher is his fifth studio album that features songs written by Stapleton and a superb group of songwriters. Miranda Lambert, Dave Cobb, Derek Mixon, J.T. Cure, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and Stapleton’s wife, Morgane, are the co-writers who helped Chris Stapleton shape this album. While Higher continues to elevate Chris Stapleton as a master musical triple threat (singer, songwriter, and musician), I am starting to notice that there are a few dud tracks. Hopefully, the “Broken Halos” singer-songwriter and his team have better quality control in the next go-around. B-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “What Am I Gonna Do,” “South Dakota,” “White Horse,” & “Think I’m In Love with You.”
Dolly Parton’s highly anticipated album, Rockstar, is finally out! (Album property of Butterfly Records LLC & Big Machine Group)
Rockstar by Dolly Parton
The Queen of Country Music is expanding her horizons in the music industry. Dolly Parton is heading into the rock music world with Rockstar. This massive 30-track album features an all-star group of collaborators that range from British rock music legends including Sir Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, Sir Elton John, and Sting, and American rock queens Ann Wilson, Joan Jett, Melissa Etheridge, Pat Benatar, and Stevie Nicks. Also, current chart toppers Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Lizzo, P!nk, and Dolly’s goddaughter Miley Cyrus appear. There are some surprises on Rockstar, including Dolly’s interpretation of Prince’s classic “Purple Rain,” her “Ray of Light”-inspired cover of the Rolling Stones’ “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” with P!nk and Brandi Carlile, and her duet with Sir Elton – “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” which marks their first collaboration together in 18 years! Rockstar is an excellent album that is probably the equivalent of a mic-drop. Well done, Dolly! A
Tracks to Download or Stream: “World on Fire,” “Open Arms,” “Magic Man (Carl Version),” “Either Or,” “What Has Rock and Roll Ever Done for You,” “Purple Rain,” “Wrecking Ball,” “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” & “Let It Be.”
The Zac Brown Band showcases their music mastery with ‘From the Road, Volume One -Covers.’ (Album cover property of Master of None LLC)
From the Road, Vol. I: Covers by Zac Brown Band
The Zac Brown Band dropped their first volume of tunes recorded while on tour. From the Road, Vol. I: Covers features performances from the band’s stops in iconic arenas that range from Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Boston’s Fenway Park to the OVO Arena Wembley in the United Kingdom. The Zac Brown Band also surprised fans with featured artists, including John Mayer (“Neon”), Marcus King (“Whipping Post”), Mark O’Connor (“Eleanor Rigby”), and Steven Tyler (“Sweet Emotion”). From the Road, Vol. I: Covers cements the Zac Brown Band as one of the best music ensembles to see live, and they take fans who cannot attend the concerts by bringing them tasty pieces of ear candy. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Enter Sandman,” “Sweet Emotion (featuring Steven Tyler),” “Margaritaville,” “With a Little Help from My Friends (featuring Darrell Scott & Mark O’Connor),” & “Eleanor Rigby.”
“Now and Then” by The Beatles
The Beatles changed rock and roll music forever when they dropped “Love Me Do” back in 1962. Fifty-one years later, the iconic rock band dropped their final song: “Now and Then.” In February 1995, the Beatles’ Anthology was about to be released; Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the late George Harrison returned to the studio and recorded “Now and Then,” a song that the late John Lennon demo recorded in the 1970s. Sadly, the trio failed to complete it. After remaining dormant for years, Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson, who directed the band’s hit Disney+ documentary series Get Back, used a piece of technology to separate the “Imagine” singer-songwriter’s voice from the piano part. I got chills listening to this haunting song, and its music video is a perfect retrospective of Beatlemania. RIP, John and George, and thank you for the memories. A+
“Look Ma, No Brains!” by Green Day
Green Day is back! The legendary punk rock band will drop its fourteenth album, Saviors, on January 19, 2024. “Look Ma, No Brains!” is the second single from the album, and it would remind longtime millennials of the band’s American Idiot era. The Green Day trio and producer Rob Cavallo did a fantastic job crafting this superb jam. B+
“What Christmas Means to Me” by Hannah Waddingham
On November 22, Emmy-winning entertainer Hannah Waddingham will release her holiday special: Hannah Waddingham – Home for Christmas on Apple+. The special’s kickoff song is “What Christmas Means to Me,” it is a bombastic track from start to finish. The Ted Lasso alum’s version of the holiday tune will shake up your holiday party playlist. A-
Artists to Watch:
Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are the recording artists that are looking to shake up the music industry.
Jung Kook’s GOLDEN cements the BTS member as K-Pop’s top superstar. (Album cover property of BIGHIT Music)
Golden by Jung Kook
K-pop superstar Jung Kook dropped his debut album, Golden. The former BTS member featured music from an all-star group of collaborators. Ali Tamposi, Andrew Watt, BloodPop, Cirkut, Diplo, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McCaid, and Jon Bellion contributed songs and production duties. Meanwhile, DJ Snake, Jack Harlow, Latto, and Major Lazer are the featured artists who make cameo appearances throughout the record. Golden is a sturdy record that will satisfy Jung Kook and BTS fans. It also reminds me of the first time I heard Justin Timberlake and Nick Jonas’ debuts. I look forward to hearing from Jung Kook in the future. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “3D,” “Closer to You,” “Seven (Explicit Version),” “Yes or No,” & “Too Sad to Dance.”
“girl in a china shop” by Caroline Romano
Nashville-based alternative pop recording artist Caroline Romano dropped her roller coaster anthem: “girl in a china shop.” It is a fiery song that features superb guitar riffs, stabbing lyrics, and outstanding vocals from Caroline. A-
“Ruins” by Eighty Ninety
Brooklyn-based Indie pop music duo Eighty Ninety dropped their opening track off their upcoming December 15 self-titled debut album. Abner (vocals and production) and Harper (guitar and production) James’ “Ruins” weaves a song about a cycle of “What Ifs” that the duo faced throughout their life. I loved Harper’s superb guitar riffs, and Abner’s vocals could hit listeners like a gut punch. I cannot wait to listen to the album. A-
“Part Two” by iskwē
iskwē rounds out this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews. Since dropping her debut album in 2017, Canadian singer-songwriter iskwē received praise from various media outlets, including the CBC, Entertainment Tonight Canada, and NPR. Her latest single, “Part Two,” is a hypnotic genre blending jam that deals with the aftermath of a heartbreaking end to a relationship. B+
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