Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of February 21, 2025

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

 Welcome to the fourth 2025 edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! We got a lot of music to unpack, so let’s start this party!

 

Love & Hyperbole by Alessia Cara

Alessia Cara dropped her fourth studio album, Love & Hyperbole. The “Scars to Your Beautiful” performer reunited with longtime collaborator Greg Kurstin while welcoming Buddy Ross, Dan Farber, Holly Miller, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Jon Levine, Joshua Coleman, and Mike Elizondo into the fold. Listening to Love & Hyperbole will remind music lovers of the early 2000s era, especially the debut albums of Alicia Keys, Michelle Branch, Norah Jones, and Vanessa Carlton. Love & Hyperbole is a splendid record and offers hopeful and reflective material, which sets her apart from her peers. A-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Left Alone,” “Dead Man,” “Run Run,” “Get to You,” “(Isn’t It) Obvious,” “Slow Motion,” & “Nighttime Thing.”

 

$ome $exy $ongs 4 U by PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake

PARTYNEXTDOOR teamed up with Drake for a collaborative album released on Valentine’s Day 2025. While the duo co-wrote most of the album, they recruited DJ Lewis, Gordo, Jordan Ullman, Kid Masterpiece, O Little Angel, and OVO Sound to assist with the production process. They also welcomed Chino Pacas, Pim, and Yebba to appear as featured artists.  The “YOLO” rapper performed six solo songs, including “NOKIA” and the clapback track “GIMMIE A HUG,” while PARTYNEXTDOOR stepped into the spotlight with “DEEPER.”  $ome $exy $ongs 4 U is a solid album that strengthens the strong collaborative partnership between the Canadian performers. B

Tracks to Download or Stream: “MOTH BALLS,” “SPIDER-MAN SUPERMAN,” “GIMME A HUG,” “MEET YOUR PADRE,” & “NOKIA.”

 

“Hey” by Backstreet Boys

Twenty-five years ago, the Backstreet Boys (AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson, and Nick Carter) released one of the greatest pop music albums of all time, Millennium. The quintet will headline Las Vegas’s Sphere to commemorate this occasion and release Millennium 2.0. “Hey” is the first single off this anniversary album. This new song is fabulous and will give longtime Backstreet Boys fans chills. A-

 

“Perfect for Me” by Chapel Hart

Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar friends Chapel Hart released a new single, “Perfect for Me.” The trio’s new song focuses on a love story that puts a blue collar “everyday” working man at the center of it. The combination of Danica, Devynn, and Trea’s superb harmonies and the song’s lyrics will give listeners. “Perfect for Me” is one of the best country songs of 2025 so far. A+

 

“Love is a Stillness” by Sam Smith

Grammy and Oscar-winning singer-songwriter Sam Smith delivered their fans a Valentine’s Day present with the original song, “Love is a Stillness.” The piano-powered ballad instantly transported fans to 2014, when they met the “Stay with Me” and “I’m Not the Only One” singer. The two-minute tune still shows that they can tug at our heartstrings easily. A+

 

“Please Please Please” by Sabrina Carpenter featuring Dolly Parton

Sabrina Carpenter released the deluxe version of her blockbuster album, Short n’ Sweet. The former Girl Meets World star joined forces with Dolly Parton for a countified version of her hit “Please Please Please.”  This version will satisfy several generations of music lovers, and Sabrina and Dolly’s vocals blend brilliantly well. A

 

“Scared of Loving You” by Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco

Music super couple Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are releasing their first joint album, I Said I Love You First. The duo co-wrote the album’s first single, “Scared of Loving You,” with Grammy and Oscar-winning songwriter Finneas O’Connell, who also co-produced the track with Benny Blanco. “Scared of Loving You” is far from the hitmakers’ notable EDM and hip-hop/pop music roots.  The guitar-based ballad is a nice change of pace for both artists, and it will be interesting to see their love story unfold via music. C+

 

Artists to Watch:

Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch! Here are some recording artists and groups looking forward to shaking up the music world!

 

“Funny Face” by Arm’s Length

Ontario, Canada-based rock band Arm’s Length is preparing to release their sophomore album, There’s A Whole World Out There. The band comprises vocalist and guitarist Allen Steinberg, guitarist Jeremy White, bassist Ben Greenblatt, and drummer Jeff White. The group dropped their first single, “Funny Face.”  The song brilliantly puts to words and music to the feeling where a loved one discourages the listeners from following their dreams and how it changes their overall outlook on life. The guitar arrangements and Steinberg’s lyrics are fearsome gut punches that listeners will never forget. B+

 

“I Don’t (But I Do)” by Braden Bales

Braden Bales is one of Capitol Records’ breakout artists of the mid-2020s. His music has garnered the attention of countless Spotify streamers and TikTok users. His latest single, “I Don’t (But I Do),” deals with the aftermath of breaking up with his girlfriend.  Braden delivers a superb vocal performance that features a splendid guitar and drum arrangement. I cannot wait to see what he does next. B

 

“Devil’s Music” by Chaparelle

There is a new country music supergroup in town! Zella Day, Jesse Woods, and Beau Beauford have formed Chaparelle. The trio released a new song, “Devil’s Music.” This song will remind country fans of the classic 1950s and 1960s sounds that helped propel the genre into the national music conversation. “Devil’s Music” is one of the best pieces of country ear candy I devoured this month. A

 

“Hearts Break and People Change” by Victor Ray

Victor Ray rounds out this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews. The R&B/soul phenomenon and Capitol Records signed artist is expected to drop his latest EP, I WILL, on March 7. “Hearts Break and People Change” is the latest single from the extended play. When I first listened to “Hearts Break and People Change,” I remembered the first time I listened to the late great Luther Vandross, whose velvety voice captivated and stirred emotions. I cannot wait to listen to this EP as Victor has the potential to be a major player in the R&B world as this decade continues.   A+

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