Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of April 11, 2025

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com  

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

 

Who Believes in Angels? By Elton John & Brandi Carlile

Sir Elton John released the second collaborative album of his career with longtime friend and music legend in the making, Brandi Carlile. The duo recruited the legendary Bernie Taupin and the top millennial generation producer Andrew Watt to work on Who Believes in Angels? There are several standouts, such as the Little Richard tribute track, “Little Richard’s Bible,” the title track, “Swing for the Fences,” and “Never Too Late,” which was also featured in Elton’s Disney+ documentary: Elton John: Never Too Late. Elton and Brandi hit new strides with Who Believes in Angels? and will leave fans wanting a sequel. A-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Little Richard’s Bible,” “Swing for the Fences,” “Never Too Late,” “The River Man,” & “Who Believes in Angels?”

 

Based on a True Story by Will Smith

Actor-rapper Will Smith released his first album in 20 years! The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Men in Black performer has been in the tabloids for the past few years, and scrutiny against the entertainment icon only intensified after his controversial slap incident with Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. Now, Will Smith shares his story with 14 new songs. Will’s son, Jaden, Big Sean, Jac Ross, Joyner Lucas, the Sunday Service Choir, and Teyana Taylor make cameos throughout the album. While Will Smith offered several gems throughout the Based on a True Story listening experience, the album does not provide as much excitement as his successors’ albums. C+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Rave in the Wasteland,” “Bulletproof,” “You Can Make It,”  & “Tantrum.”

 

“Let Him in Anyway” by Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton embarks on a new era in his career. The former and founding coach of The Voice USA is set to release his first album, For Recreational Use Only, under his new record label, Wheelhouse, on May 9. His second single, “Let Him in Anyway,” focuses on the regrets of not saving his friend in time. Hardy, Zack Abend, Kyle Clark, and Carson Wallace co-wrote this superb song. It is one of Blake’s most powerful songs since “God Gave Me You.”  B+

 

“Rain in the River” by Bruce Springsteen

Rolling Stone reported that rock legend Bruce Springsteen will release a box set of unreleased songs on June 27. The singer-songwriter’s Tracks II will feature songs recorded between 1983 and 2018 but wound up in the “Dancing in the Dark” icon’s archives. “Rain in the River” is the first single from this massive box set. This powerful drum and electric guitar-back track gave me chills, and both The Boss’s fanbase and music aficionados would devour this ear candy. A+

 

“Azizam” by Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran surprised fans by releasing his first single from his upcoming album, Play. “Azizam,” which translates to “my dear” or “my beloved” in Persian, is a collaboration between the “Perfect” singer-songwriter, his longtime friend Johnny McDaid, and hitmakers Ilya and Savan Kotecha. The quartet did an impeccable job of transforming Ed and his wife Cherry’s love story into a song. Like its predecessors, including “Sing” and “Shivers,” “Azizam’s” infectious production will leave listeners entranced, potentially dominating radio and streaming playlists throughout 2025. A-

 

“YIPPE-KI-YAY” by Kesha featuring T-Pain

Kesha will drop Period, her first album off her self-titled record label, on Independence Day 2025! The “Tik Tok” singer-songwriter teamed up with T-Pain for the album’s third single, “YIPPE-KI-YAY.”  Both artists have used autotune in the past. However, this song showcases their respective vocal prowess and superb lyrics that could take listeners back to the early 2010s. B+

 

Artists to Watch:

Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are the recording artists and bands shaking up the music industry!

 

A Hometown Odyssey by Livingston

Livingston is one of the top breakout artists of 2024. I first discovered him when I listened to his interview on The Zac Sang Show. He released his debut album, A Hometown Odyssey, in March 2024. Since then, this alternative pop sensation has gained a massive following on both Instagram and TikTok and has achieved top spots on both the US and Global Spotify charts. A Hometown Odyssey is one of the most impressive alternative pop albums I have heard this decade. Livingston and his production team have found a way to capture listeners’ attention with superb lyrics and phenomenal musical arrangements. I can see him inspiring countless musicians of his generation and becoming a significant power player in the years to come. A+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “The Game,” “Nightlight,” “Brainstorm,” “Reverse,” “Glow,”  & “Gravedigger.”

 

 

“Black to Gold (Stripped)” by Dear Rouge

Vancouver-based alternative rock duo Dear Rouge comprises JUNO Award-winning artists Danielle and Drew McTaggart. Recently, they released a reimaging of their breakout single, “Black to Gold.” By stripping the song down, Dear Rouge was able to transport their audience to Narina and into the character Edmund’s shoes. A-

 

“Tombstone” by Nadia Younes

Saratoga, California native turned Los Angeles transplant Nadia Younes wraps up this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews performed in operas before making her way into pop & R&B music. Her latest single, “Tombstone,” reminds me of classic 2000s hits such as “Family Affair,” “Fine,” and “So What.” “Tombstone” is a catchy song, and I hope it finds its way to various radio and streaming playlists. B+

 

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