Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of August 28, 2026

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

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

 

Hermoso by Benny Blanco

Producer and songwriter Benny Blanco has found success crafting blockbuster smashes for Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, and Rihanna. Now, the “Call Me When You Break Up” performer has released his third studio album, Hermoso. The record focuses on one of today’s rising music genres, Latin Pop. I always admire recording artists who spread their wings and tackle something challenging.  Hermoso features fantastic collaborations such as “Te Olvidio (La La)” [featuring Becky G and his wife Selena Gomez] and “DEGENERE” (with Myke Towers). He also introduces listeners to artists to watch such as Bb Trickz, Neton Vegas, and the Marias. Bravo, Benny! B

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Te Olvidio (La La),” “Memoria De Paz,” “Ay Bendito,” & “DEGENERE.”

 

Comes in Waves by Carly Simon

Pop music legend Carly Simon released her 24^th full-length studio album, Comes in Waves. This marks the first time she has released new material since 2009! The record comes as USA Today revealed that the famously private performer is living with Parkinson’s disease and underwent surgery for basal cell carcinoma.  For Comes in Waves, Ms. Simon co-wrote all the tracks and had songwriting assistance from her son Ben Taylor, Jacob Brackman, Natasha Bedingfield, David Spencer, and Andreas Vollenweider (who is also featured on “Slowly”). While the “You Belong to Me” singer-songwriter has been out of the limelight for years, her iconic voice still gives listeners the same set of chills when they hear “Mockingbird” or “You Belong to Me.”  Comes in Waves is a true masterclass! A+

 Tracks to Download or Stream: “Howl,” “Peaches,” “Love Has No Ending,” “Slowly,” “Love The Way I Do,” & “Do It Anyway.”

 

Young by Dan + Shay

Country music duo Dan + Shay are celebrating their 13^th anniversary as a duo this year! To commemorate this milestone, the “Save Me the Trouble” duo dropped their seventh studio album, Young.  The duo collaborated with industry heavyweights such as David Hodges, Hillary Lindsey, Jimmy Robbins, Liz Rose, and Lori McKenna in crafting the tunes, while Dan teamed up with Scott Hendricks to co-produce the album. Young tackles more mature topics such as the loss of loved ones (“Say So” pays tribute to the duo’s mentor, and the duo’s collaboration with Cody Johnson, “The Old Guys”), family, and faith (“Her, the Kids & Jesus”). Young is another grand slam for Dan + Shay.  A-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Young,” “Say So,” “Marry You Again,”  “Her, The Kids & Jesus,” & “The Old Guys.”

 

Hazel Eyes by Sam Smith

Grammy- and Oscar-winning singer-songwriter Sam Smith dropped their fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes. For the first time since their 2014 debut album, In the Lonely Hour, they reunited with Simon Aldred, who co-wrote and co-produced a majority of the album. They also recruited Leslie Feist (who appears on “Moondance”), David Odlum, Tommy Danvers, and Ruth O’Mahony Brady to pen and produce these 12 songs. Hazel Eyes marks a shift in Sam Smith’s musical style, as the album focuses less on EDM and blue-eyed soul and more on orchestral pop. While Sam Smith still has their spectacular vocals, I wish tracks six through eight (“Thief,” “Love is a Stillness,” & “Sugar Rush”) had been left on the cutting room floor. Overall, Hazel Eyes is a sturdy album and a solid showing from the “Too Good at Goodbyes” performer.  B-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Hazel Eyes,” “My Guy,” “When He’s Gone,” & “Oh Mother.”

 

Weezer (Gold Album) by Weezer

Alternative rock band Weezer dropped their 20^th(!) studio album, Weezer (Gold Album). The album features the return of the classic line-up – vocalist and guitarist Rivers Cuomo, guitarist and backing vocalist Brian Bell, drummer Patrick Wilson, and bassist Scott Shriner. Gold Album features offerings from Cuomo, Bell, and Wilson, along with tunes that the band co-wrote with Wednesday’s Karly Hartzman (who appears on “We Might as Well Be Strangers”), Luther Russell, Karl Kloch, and Klas Åhlund. Weezer (Gold Album) is one of 2026’s best rock albums thanks to superb lyrics, spectacular guitar arrangements, and fantastic production. A

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Say Yes,” “Shine Again,” “We Might as Well Be Strangers,” “C.E.O.” &  “The Show Must Go On.”

 

Artists to Watch:

Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s Artist to Watch is back! Here are the recording artists and bands that are shaking up the music industry!

 

Long Way Home by Stella Lefty

Stella Lefty is one of 2026’s breakout stars! When I first heard Bobby Bones speak about her song “Boston” and eventually had her on his Bobbycast, I needed to check out her music. Turns out, he’s right.  Stella is having a moment comparable to what Taylor Swift experienced when she dropped her self-titled album 20 years ago. Long Way Home is one of the freshest country-pop albums that I’ve heard so far this year. I predict Stella will have a lengthy career like Mrs. Swift Kelce.  Congratulations, Stella! A+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Lean in, Kiss Me,” “Whiskey,” “Thinking ‘bout You,” “Boston,” “I Know, I Know,” & “Slow Dancin’.”

 

“I Wanna Be Your Girl” by Haiden Henderson

Singer-songwriter Haiden Henderson is one of 2026’s most talked-about recording artists. The Los Angeles-based performer has opened for 5 Seconds of Summer, and his music has been praised by PAPER, Rolling Stone, and Vogue. His latest single, “I Wanna Be Your Girl,” showcases his electrifying swagger and bouncy guitar licks. He has the potential to be a major player as this decade winds down.  B+

 

“There’s Your Trouble” by Son of James

Son of James rounds out this edition of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s New Music Reviews. Frontman Shon Wong, guitarists and vocalists Adam Richards and Richard Pinto, stand-up bassist Johnny Walsh, cajonist Ed Whelan, Michelle Kwan on guzheng, Anna Fang on erhu, and vocalists Tannie Lam and Yung Coffey make up this Vancouver Chinatown-based band.  The band tackled the Chicks’ “There’s Your Trouble,” and the way they arranged it is splendid and would make the trio proud! B+

 

Want to support me? Subscribe to my podcast & follow my YouTube channel!