Welcome to the latest installment of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! (Bitmoji property of Jake’s Take)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Happy New Music Friday! We got a lot of items to unpack, so let’s start this party!
Joni Mitchell’s powerful return to the Newport Folk Festival is a must-listen for music lovers. (Album cover property of Rhino Entertainment Company)
Joni Mitchell at Newport (Live) by Joni Mitchell
On July 24, 2022, the Newport Folk Festival experienced a once-in-a-lifetime concert when Joni Mitchell returned to the stage after a 53-year hiatus. An all-star cast of musicians, including Brandi Carlile, Marcus Mumford, Shooter Jennings, Taylor Goldsmith, and Wynonna Judd, joined the “A Case of You” music legend for an epic evening. Several highlights include the haunting rendition of her 1969 classic “Both Sides Now” and the triumphant performances of “Big Yellow Taxi” and “The Circle Game.” Many music lovers will be so happy to experience what the Newport Folk Festival audience witnessed: Joni Mitchell’s magic. A
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Big Yellow Taxi (featuring Lucius),” “A Case of You (featuring Marcus Mumford),” ”Summertime,” “Both Sides Now,” & “The Circle Game.”
Tori Kelly launched a new chapter in her career with a new self-titled EP. (Album cover property of Tori Kelly Publishing & Epic Records)
Tori by Tori Kelly
Before I get to this review, I wish Tori Kelly a quick and speedy recovery, as it was reported on numerous outlets that the “Change Your Mind” singer-songwriter experienced a health scare. Tori Kelly released her self-titled EP on her new label: Epic Records. Tori significantly features a sound that dominated my middle school, high school, and early CU Boulder years: the bubblegum pop meets R&B hybrid – that MTV heavily rotated through before it succumbed to the Reality TV genre. Tori continues to showcase that Tori Kelly is at the top of her game and is in the running to be one of our generation’s top singer-songwriters. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “cut,” “missin u,” “shelter,” “unbelievable (featuring Ayra Starr),” & “young gun (featuring Jon Bellion).”
Travis Scott’s Utopia is fantastic album, but participation from known anti-Semites Dave Chappelle & Kanye West makes the album lose some of its shine. (Album cover property of Cactus Jack Records & Sony Music Entertainment)
Utopia by Travis Scott
Rapper Travis Scott dropped his fourth studio album: Utopia. A lot has changed since the “Butterfly Effect” performer dropped his 2018 record Astroworld including the November 5, 2021, Astroworld Festival crowd crush incident, which left at least ten people dead and hundreds injured. As listeners go through Utopia, the question will arise: “Can we separate Travis’ work from the controversy?” It might be challenging to answer that as controversial rapper (and anti-Semite) Kanye West worked on three tracks, including “Thank God,” “God’s Country,” and the SZA and Future-backed “Telekinesis.” In addition, listeners might be driven away from the album as Dave Chappelle as he ran into problems with anti-Semitism as well. However, Bad Bunny, Beyonce, Drake, James Blake, and the Weeknd’s involvement as featured artists and songwriters are Utopia’s sprinkles of hope. Utopia is an excellently produced album thanks to heavy-hitting producers such as Boi-1da, FNZ, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, Mike Dean, Pharrell Williams, and WondaGurl, who assisted Travis Scott in the production process. However, Chappelle and West’s inclusion in making the album holds it back from achieving perfection. B-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Modern Jam,” “My Eyes,” “Meltdown,” & “Delresto (Echoes).”
Broken: Playlist II by VeeAlwaysHere
Jake’s Take friend VeeAlwaysHere released his second playlist: Broken. The producer, recording artist, and songwriter continues to mix music genres with excellent results. Featured artists Maria Ellis and Ted Park help guide VeeAlwaysHere on this epic emotional journey that will redefine DYI music. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Pink Roses,” “I Don’t Dance,” “IRL,” “Joker,” & “Outside.”
“Good Good” by Usher featuring Summer Walker & 21 Savage
Usher released a new single: “Good Good,” with featured artists Summer Walker and 21 Savage. The “Yeah!” performer co-wrote the track with Tauren Stovall and Paul “Ghost” Dawson with production from Grammy-nominated duo Mel & Mus. “Good Good” will take listeners back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Usher began dominating both the R&B and Top 40 charts. Usher shines throughout the song, and Summer Walker and 21 Savage perfectly execute their verses. B+
Artists to Watch
Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are some of the recording artists that have the potential to shake up the music world.
“Thinking About You” by Brooklyn Juliana
Social media sensation and Canada-based singer Brooklyn Juliana dropped a pop-rock banger in the form of “Thinking About You.” The song has a slick production and a superb chorus that will repeat in listeners’ heads. Brooklyn Juliana will be one of 2023’s breakout performers! A
“Told U” by Cel NoLackin
Cel NoLackin is one of LLC4 Records and Capitol Records’ rising rappers. “Told U” is a fiery diss track that eviscerates every hater that doubted him. While the track contains explicit language, “Told U” showcases why Cel NoLackin is one of his generation’s latest rising stars in the rap music world. B+
“Dance of the Damned” by Gabriella Raelyn
Los Angeles-based recording artist Gabriella Raelyn released her single: “Dance of the Damned.” The song is part of a concept album following a stripper named Nephele. The track’s production perfectly fits either American Horror Story or even a Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights Scare Zone. The chorus – “Dance of the Devil” is extremely hypnotic and perfectly represents pop and synth music’s darker shades. B
“Yves Calls Her Betty” by Vakili Band
The Vakili Band concludes this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! Fronted by street poet Lily Vakili, the quintet comprises lead guitarist Ben St. Jack, harmonica player Joel Dorow, bassist Matt Jovanis, and drummer Gordon Kuba. “Yves Call Her Betty” is part of the Vakili Band’s upcoming album: Honey. When I listened to “Yves Calls Her Betty,” I was captivated by Lily’s vocals and how the group transported me to the time that Guy Trebay sat down for a conversation with Betty Catroux, designer Yves Saint-Laurent’s enigmatic “female double.” “Yves Calls Her Betty” is one of the most unique tracks I have heard so far in 2023 and could be one of the dark horses nominated for several music awards during the award season. A+
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