Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of Dec. 20, 2024

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

Welcome to the final Jake’s Take’s New Music Review of 2024!  We have a lot of music to unpack for the final time in 2024!

 

Dua Lipa Live from the Royal Albert Hall by Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa released the first live album of her career. She teamed up with the 53-piece Heritage Orchestra and a 14-person choir conducted by Ben Foster at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Translating dance-pop anthems to incorporate an orchestra is always tricky, but Dua and her team did it effortlessly. Dua’s friend and music legend Sir Elton John appeared to perform their 2021 chart-topping “Cold Heart.” Besides the “Tiny Dancer” performer, I was impressed with the impeccable arrangements that make Dua Lipa Live from the Royal Albert Hall, one of 2024’s best live records. A

Tracks to Download or Stream: “End of an Era (Live from the Royal Albert Hall),” “Houdini (Live from the Royal Albert Hall),” “Training Season (Live from the Royal Albert Hall),” “Cold Heart (Live from the Royal Albert Hall),” & “Maria (Live from the Royal Albert Hall).”

 

Lucinda Williams Sings the Beatles from Abbey Road by Lucinda Williams

Three-time Grammy winner Lucinda Williams paid homage to Beatlemania when the “I Just Wanted to See You So Bad” singer-songwriter recorded a new album at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. The legendary rocker breathed new life into these iconic tunes with honest and, at times, vulnerable vocal performances. I believe Paul, Ringo, John, and George would have been proud of Lucinda Williams’ interpretations of their beloved material. B+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Don’t Let Me Down,” “Rain,” “When My Guitar Gently Weeps,” &  “Let It Be.”

 

Missionary by Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre

Snoop Dogg teamed up with longtime friend and collaborator Dr. Dre to release his twentieth album, Missionary. The duo recruited an all-star group of performers, producers, and songwriters to craft the 16-track album. BJ the Chicago Kid, Eminem, 50 Cent, Jelly Roll, Jhene Aiko, Method Man, Sting, and the late Tom Petty are featured artists throughout the album. While there are dozens of samples that range from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and Sly and the Family Stone’s “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)” to The Police’s “Message in a Bottle,” it enhances the listening experience instead of being there for shock value. Because of this, I believe that Missionary is the best rap album of 2024! A+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Fore Play,” “Outta Da Blue,” “Gorgeous,” “Last Dance with Mary Jane,” “Thank You,” & “Another Part of Me.”

 

 

“Over the Rainbow” by Loren Allred & Sydnie Christmas

Two of Britain’s Got Talent (BGT)’s best voices of the decade, BGT: Series 15 finalist Loren Allred and BGT: Series 17 champion Sydnie Christmas, united for an epic duet of the iconic Wizard of Oz anthem “Over the Rainbow.” Both Amanda Holden’s Golden Buzzer acts gave epic vocals, and their divine harmonies gave me chills! A+

 

 

“Georgia Ways” by Quavo featuring Luke Bryan & Teddy Swims

Rapper Quavo entered the country music world with Luke Bryan and Teddy Swims’s help. “Georgia Ways” is an intriguing concept, but I am not a big fan of the song. It comes out as a mess. D

Artists to Watch:

 

For the final time this year, Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch is celebrating artists and groups who are making waves in the music industry.

 

Rosie by ROSÉ

Blackpink member ROSÉ is stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist. Her debut studio album, Rosie, features an all-star group of co-writers. Amy Alen, Blake Slatkin, Greg Kurstin, Henry “Cirkut” Walter, Jason Evigan, Maureen MacDonald, and the Monsters & Strangerz all pitched in to assist the K-pop star in crafting superb pieces of ear candy. Keep an ear out for Bruno Mars, who co-wrote and co-produced the outstanding “APT,” an exceptional duet. I believe that ROSÉ is just getting started, and if she and her team continue to release this superb quality of content, she could dominate the rest of the 2020s. A

Tracks to Download or Stream: “number one girl,” “toxic till the end,” “drinks or coffee,” “APT,” & “stay a little longer.”

 

 

“Vogue” by Alabama Barker

Multi-instrumentalist and social media personality Alabama Barker dropped her first single, “Vogue,” off Republic Records. She recorded the tune with ATL Jacob. Alabama has a strong rap flow, and I think she is scratching the surface of her potential as a recording artist. B

 

 

“Back Home” by Bandits on the Run

Theatrical indie folk trio Bandits on the Run (Adrian Enscoe, Sydney Shepard, and Regina Strayhorn) will launch a monthly residency at NYC’s Bowery Electric on January 13. To prepare their fans for the residency, the trio released a new single, “Back Home.” Between the impeccable bluegrass arrangement and their phenomenal vocal harmonies, “Back Home” is a beautiful anthem perfect for the holiday season. A-

 

 

“Cats on the Ceiling” (Stripped) by Ruel

Sydney, Australia-based singer-songwriter Ruel has amassed over 1.1 million Instagram followers thanks to his superb music. His latest single, a stripped-down version of his hit “Cats on the Ceiling,” superbly showcases his upper vocal register, and his songwriting puts him at the same level of excellence as his peers, such as Charlie Puth and Shawn Mendes. I am looking forward to listening to Ruel’s music in the future. B+

 

 

“A Wicked Chanukah” by Six13

Jewish A cappella group Six13 closes out the final 2024 edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! The sextet combined Wicked and Chanukah into three beautiful original songs – “Defining Destiny,” “Defiant Maccabees,” and “Chanukah” – using Wicked: Part One’s iconic anthems “Defying Gravity” and “Popular” as the basis of their tunes. I got chills and “A Wicked Chanukah” should be played at every Chanukah and holiday party this season. A+

Thank you to everyone who read my takes on the music industry and the artists who shared my work; I appreciate all of you!

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