Welcome to the latest installment of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews of 2024! (Bitmoji property of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Happy New Music Friday! We got a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s get this party started!
J Balvin’s Rayo features the rapper’s return to his Reggaeton roots. (Album cover property of Capitol Records)
Rayo by J Balvin
Colombian superstar J Balvin dropped his sixth studio album, Rayo. The “6 AM” performer returned to his Reggaeton roots and released a hypnotic batch of tunes that would have listeners groove to the dance floor. Artists like J Balvin made me fall in love with Reggaeton, and I cannot wait to see what the “Mi Gente” performer does next. B+
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Cosa De Locos,” “Bajo y Bateria,” “Lobo,” “Doblexxó,” & “Gaga.”
Latto’s spitfire delivery and superb production from Go Grizzly, Pooh Beatz, and the Stereotypes on Sugar Honey Iced Tea will satisfy rap fans. (Album cover property of Streamcut and RCA Records)
Sugar Honey Iced Tea by Latto
Latto is one of the 2020s top breakout rappers. The “Bitch from da Souf” performer has collaborated with the likes of 21 Savage, Childish Gambino, and Lil Wayne. The iHeartRadio Music Award-winning artist dropped her third studio album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea. Latto’s spitfire delivery and superb production from Go Grizzly, Pooh Beatz, and the Stereotypes will satisfy rap fans. Latto also received superstar help from Cardi B, Ciara, Coco Jones, Mariah the Scientist, and Megan Thee Stallion, which enhanced the listening experience. B/B+
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Georgia Peach,” “Settle Down,” “There She Go,” “Ear Candy,” & “Put It On Da Floor Again.”
Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion is one of the top 2024 albums and cements his status as one of the millennial generation’s most versatile artists. (Album cover property of Republic Records)
F-1 Trillion by Post Malone
Post Malone’s long-awaited country music album, F-1 Trillion, is out! The “Circles” singer, songwriter, and rapper, along with producers Louis Bell and Charlie Handsome, recruited an all-star group of collaborators, including Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Dolly Parton, HARDY, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, and Tim McGraw, to join Post in the studio. Alexander Izquierdo, Ashley Gorley, Brad Paisley, Ernst, Rhett Akins, and Ryan Vojtesak assisted with songwriting. F-1 Trillion showcases why Post Malone is one of my generation’s versatile recording artists. I hope he releases another country record in the future. A+
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Wrong Ones,” “I Had Some Help,” “Pour Me a Drink,” “Have the Heart,” “Nosedive,” “Losers,” & “California Sober.”
“Bad Side” by Frankie Zulferino
I love it when Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar friend Frankie Zulferino drops new music. His latest single, “Bad Side,” perfectly blends EDM and funk in an excellent song with shades of Adam Lambert and Prince. Well done, Frankie! A-
“Die with a Smile” by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars are two of my generation’s (millennials) biggest recording artists. I always wanted to hear them sing a song together, and boy, I got an early birthday present when I read the news on the Entertainment Weekly website. The duo co-wrote “Die with a Smile” with James Fauntleroy, D’Mile, and Andrew Watt. I have one word to describe this collaboration, and it is spectacular! A+
Artists to Watch:
Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews is back! Here are the artists that are looking to shake up the music industry:
KATSEYE’s SIS (Soft is Strong) showcases that they are ready to be the next biggest pop music group. (Album cover property of HYBE X Geffen)
SIS (Soft is Strong) – EP by KATSEYE
KATSEYE (Manon, Sophia, Daniela, Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae) is the first girl group with its members representing different countries (the United States, Korea, Switzerland, and the Philippines). SIS (Soft is Strong) showcases their potential to follow in Fifth Harmony and Blackpink’s footsteps. Between the slick production and superb vocals, KATSEYE showcases that they are ready to be the next biggest pop music group. B+
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Debut,” “Touch,” & “I’m Pretty.”
Short n’ Sweet cements Sabrina Carpenter as a power player for years to come. (Album cover property of Island Records and Universal Music Group)
Short n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter has come a long way since her Disney Channel days. She dropped her second album off Island Records, Short n’ Sweet. The performer recruited pop music heavyweights Jack Antonoff, Julian Bunetta, Ian Kirkpatrick, and John Ryan to produce the album and assist her, Amy Allen, and Julia Michaels in crafting the album’s songs. Short n’ Sweet is a very sturdy pop record that will appease both her fanbase and, just like Circus, Lemonade, and Reputation did for Britney, Beyonce, and Taylor Swift, respectively, this album will cement Sabrina Carpenter as a power player for years to come. A
Tracks to Download: “Taste,” “Please Please Please,” “Good Graces,” “Coincidence,” “Juno,” & “Espresso.”
“Zombie CV” by Ilya Popenko
Mad Meg frontman Ilya Popenko released his autobiographical anthem: “Zombie CV.” When music lovers listen to this song, they would see that Ilya has shades of both Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash in storytelling. “Zombie CV” is one of the most fascinating songs I have heard this year. B
“Spoke Like Summer” by The Neighbourhood Watch
Toronto-based band The Neighbourhood Watch rounds out this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews. They dropped their latest single: “Spoke Like Summer.” The band brilliantly blends folk and indie rock with a superb string arrangement by Brendan Thomas. “Spoke Like Summer” is a hauntingly beautiful song that would give listeners the chills. B+
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