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
Welcome to the latest Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! We got a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s start this party!
Brittany Howard’s What Now is a phenomenal album. (Album cover property of Brittany Howard)
What Now by Brittany Howard
Brittany Howard is one of my generation’s top recording artists. She received critical acclaim for commanding bands such as Alabama Shakes and Thunderbitch and earned two Grammy nominations for her 2018 debut album, Jaime. Now, the “Don’t Wanna Fight” singer-songwriter has dropped her sophomore (and Island Records debut) album, What Now. The album features songs that combine soul, funk, jazz, and electro music. The songs’ hypnotic arrangements will draw listeners into Ms. Howard’s superb musical web. I cannot wait to see what the latest era of her recording career brings to fans. B+
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Earth Sign,” “What Now,” “Red Flags,” & “Another Day.”
Drake Milligan’s Jukebox Songs EP continues his rise in country music. (Album cover property of This is Hit d/b/a Stoney Creek Records)
Jukebox Songs – EP by Drake Milligan
Drake Milligan continues his post-AGT run with a new extended play. Jukebox Songs is a four-song collection that will satisfy country music fans everywhere. Between the superb songs, Drake’s charisma, and excellent voice, I could see him be one of the top country music acts of the 2020s. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “What I Couldn’t Forget,” “I Got a Problem,” “Don’t Leave Me Loving You,” & “Jukebox Songs and Barstool Beers.”
Jason Derulo’s Nu King features a mixed bag of tunes. (Album cover property of Derulo Music & Atlantic Records)
Nu King by Jason Derulo
Nu King is Jason Derulo’s fifth studio album (and first record in nine years). The former Voice Australia coach features a massive collection of 27 songs with a diverse group of collaborators ranging from Adam Levine and Meghan Trainor to Michael Buble and YoungBoy Never Broke Again. There are some strokes of genius such as “Spicy Margarita” (featuring Michael Buble), the epic dance track “Take You Dancing,” and the Dido-featured “When Love Sucks.” Nu King features some radio jams, but it is sometimes an exhausting listening experience. C+/B-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Spicy Margarita,” “Take You Dancing,” “When Love Sucks,” & “Lifestyle.”
Jennifer Lopez’s This is Me…Now showcases a new chapter in her storied career in the entertainment industry. (Album cover property of Nuyorican & BMG)
This is Me…Now by Jennifer Lopez
Twenty-two years ago, Jennifer Lopez released her game-changing album, This is Me. The album showed the “Waiting for Tonight” singer and former American idol judge entering the R&B/hip-hop world for the first time. Recently, Ms. Lopez released a follow-up album: This is Me…Now. Under J.Lo and the production team of Angel Lopez, Jeff Gitelman, and Rogét Lutfi Chahayed’s watchful eyes, hitmakers including Jason Derulo, Justin Timberlake, Scott Storch, Hit-Boy, and Melissa Storwick crafted tunes that showcase why the “First Love” singer remains one of the music industry’s top stars. B
Tracks to Download or Stream: “This is Me…Now,” “Can’t Get Enough,” “Hummingbird,” & “Midnight Trip to Vegas.”
Usher’s Coming Home is one of the best R&B albums of the 2020s. (Album cover property of mega/gamma)
Coming Home by Usher
Before entertaining over 123 million people during the Super Bowl Halftime Show, Usher released his ninth studio album, Coming Home. The Las Vegas headliner recruited an all-star group of music superstars to craft this album. Frequent collaborators Jermaine Dupri, Johnta Austin, and Bryan-Michael Cox joined Pharrell Williams, The-Dream, Nija Charles, Tricky Stewart, and Hit-Boy in helping Usher craft and produce the album. The-Dream also joined Burna Boy, 21 Savage, Summer Walker, H.E.R., Pheelz, and Jungkook as featured artists. Coming Home is a spectacular album and showcases that Usher is ready to guide the next generation of R&B superstars. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Good Good,” “A-Town Girl,” “Kissing Strangers,” “Keep on Dancin’,” “Risk It All,” & “Standing Next to You (USHER Remix).”
Zara Larsson’s VENUS is one of the best pop music albums of the 2020s. (Album cover property of Sommer House & Epic Records)
VENUS by Zara Larsson
Recently, Zara Larsson released VENUS, her fourth full studio album. VENUS features an elite list of pop and dance music songwriters and producers. Brittany Hazzard, David Guetta (the only featured artist on this record), Danja, Giorgio Tuinfort, John Christopher Fee, Patrick Smith, and Rick Nowels have songwriter or producer credits on this album. As I listened to VENUS, I was reminded of the first time I listened to both Britney Spears’ Oops! I Did It Again and Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream. Both albums redefined dance pop music in their respective decades, and I believe that Zara Larsson’s VENUS is a strong contender to shape dance pop music for the 2020s. A+
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Can’t Tame Her,” “More Than This Was,” “On My Love,” “None of These Guys,” “You Love Who You Love,” & “End of Time.”
“Texas Hold ‘Em” by Beyonce
During Super Bowl LVIII, Beyonce surprised fans by dropping two songs, including “Texas Hold ‘Em.” These two singles will be a part of her upcoming album, Act II, which is scheduled to drop on March 29. The “Break My Soul” performer collaborated with Brian Bates, Nathan Ferraro, Elizabeth Boland, Megan Bulow, and Raphael Saadiq on composing this song. “Texas Hold ‘Em” superbly blends country pop, western, and soul music, which delight listeners and make them smile and tap their toes. A-
“Dance Alone” by Sia & Kylie Minogue
Two of Australia’s dance music queens came together for one epic song. Sia and Kylie Minogue teamed up for “Dance Alone,” a pop and disco music blended track that the “Unstoppable” singer-songwriter co-wrote with longtime collaborator Jesse Shatkin. “Dance Alone” is a brilliant pop that will make listeners dance in their seats. I see “Dance Alone” play a significant role in particular music and pride playlists as 2024 continues. A
Artists to Watch:
Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are the performers that are going to shake up the music industry!
“Better Off Alone” by Boyce Avenue
Sarasota, Florida’s Boyce Avenue, has built a massive audience by breathing new life into pop music classics. Brothers Alejandro, Daniel, and Fabian Manzano tackled Alice Deejay’s Eurodance anthem, “Better Off Alone,” which is pure fire! The superb acoustic arrangement will make fans bounce with delight. A
“Spinning Out” by Camille Parker
Country music recording artist Camille Parker is back! She has gotten praise from several major music outlets, including Billboard and CMT. Camille’s latest single, “Spinning Out,” is a superb country pop-bop with a sturdy chorus and excellent vocals. “Spinning Out” has hints of both Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” and Jessica Simpson’s”With You.” You hit another home run, Camille! A+
“Back into Your Heart” by HOKO
NYC-based band HOKO is tearing up the alternative music charts. Vocalist Nathaniel Hoho and guitarist Jesse Kotansky make up the Republic Records-signed band. “Back into Your Heart” is a pop punk rock anthem that features superb guitar licks and a superb chorus that will enchant listeners. A-
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