Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of July 11, 2025

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

Happy New Music Friday!

Welcome to the first Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s New Music Reviews of Summer 2025! We got a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s start this party!

 

The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two by Barbra Streisand

EGOT icon Barbra Streisand released her thirty-seventh album, The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two. The legendary entertainer assembled an all-star group of singers, including fellow music icons Bob Dylan, James Taylor, and Sir Paul McCartney, along with legendary vocalists Josh Groban (who is the only returning participant from 2014’s first Partners volume), Mariah Carey, Seal, and Sting. The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two offers an incredible listening experience from start to finish. Legendary producers Walter Afanasieff and Peter Asher beautifully capture Ms. Streisand’s essence and signature vocals while allowing her fellow vocalists to shine. Despite a few missteps from some group members (looking at you, Hozier and Laufey), The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two remains classic Barbra and will satisfy both longtime fans and new listeners of the “The Way We Were” award-winning entertainer. A- 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “My Valentine,” “To Lose You Again,” “The Very Thought of You,” “One Heart, One Voice,” & “Secret O’ Life.”

 

Period by Kesha

The 2020s have marked a new era for singer-songwriter Kesha. Her prolonged legal battle with former mentor Dr. Luke ended, and she also parted ways with both RCA Records and Kemosabe Records. Period, her sixth studio album, is the first release on her self-titled label, Kesha Records. Kesha assembled a team that included her mother, Pebe Sebert, along with Jonathan Wilson, Drew Erickson, Madison Love, Stuart Crichton, and Skyler Stonestreet to craft and produce this new musical chapter. Period highlights Kesha’s creative authenticity as an artist and marks a promising start (and possible rebirth) in her career. A

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Freedom,” “Joyride,” “YIPPEE-KI-YAY,” “Red Flag,” “The One,” & “Boy Crazy.”

 

Virgin by Lorde

Lorde, one of New Zealand’s most significant exports, dropped her first album of new material since 2021’s Solar Power. The “Royals” singer-songwriter recruited a new production and songwriting team, James Harmon “Jim E-Stack” Stack, Daniel Nigro, and Buddy Ross to craft Virgin’s sound. While Lorde offered some strong material, I found myself nodding off at times due to boredom.  C

Tracks to Download or Stream: “What Was That,” “Shapeshifter,” & “Favorite Daughter.”

 

Fly Girl by Tim Johnson Jr.

Actor, singer, and Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar friend Tim Johnson Jr. dropped his latest album, Fly Girl. The Four: Battle for Stardom and American Idol alum’s record takes listeners on a journey where he merges the classic ‘80s to early aughts sounds of Bobby Brown, Usher, Ne-Yo, and the late Michael Jackson, together with spectacular results. The Everybody Still Hate Chris voice actor’s superb vocals are impeccable, and Fly Girl is one of the freshest breaths of R&B air I have heard this year. A-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Fly Girl,” “The View Is Better With You,” “Timeless,” “The Rising of the Sun,” & “Summer in the Rain.”

 

Artists to Watch:

 

Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are some of the recording artists that are shaking up the music world.

 

5 Stages of Grief EP by Braden Bales

23-year-old Braden Bales is turning into one of his generation’s top recording artists. The Oakville, Ontario native turned Los Angeles resident dropped his latest extended play, 5 Stages of Grief. The EP perfectly showcases Braden as one of Generation Z’s preeminent voices for authenticity when it comes to translating emotions to music. The lyrics featured in 5 Stage of Grief tugged at listeners’ heartstrings as Braden weaved a loss and acceptance story. Braden’s EP is one of my favorite albums of 2025! A+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “I DON’T WANNA KNOW,” “I DON’T (BUT I DO),” “SUBTITLE,” “YOU LIED,” & “WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT.”

 

Hotel Rock Bottom by Frankie Grande

Broadway veteran and Big Brother US icon Frankie Grande finally released his full-length debut studio album, Hotel Rock Bottom. The performer heavily relies on dance pop and EDM sounds throughout the record. Several tracks stand out, including the title song, which gave me chills; the album opener “Rhythm of Love,” “Boys,” and “Let Me Live.” Hotel Rock Bottom is an excellent record and a strong debut for Frankie Grande, who will likely inspire many millennial and Generation Z LGBT artists to “Shine Bright Like A Frankie” as they pursue their music careers. A- 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Rhythm of Love,” “Hotter than Hell,” “Let Me Live,” “Hotel Rock Bottom,” & “Boys.”

 

POR SI ALGUIEN NOS ESCUCHA by Kapo

Columbian singer-songwriter Kapo is one of Latin music’s top recording artists thanks to his massive social media following, including 1.1 million Instagram followers and 2 million TikTok followers. His second album, Por Si Alguien Nos Escucha, blends Spanish and Afrobeats musical genres with superb results. Guest artists, such as Feid, Myke Towers, Lion Fish, and Ryan Castro, enhance the album by supporting Kapo in telling his compelling story throughout the 15-track album. B

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Ohnana,” “Ruff,” “Uwaie,” “X Ti,” & “No Cry.”

 

“Precious” by ROHAN

Australian-born and now a San Francisco transplant, ROHAN is gaining a following in the alternative pop music genre. His latest single, “Precious,” pays tribute to his dog, Kosta. Rohan self-produced the track, which has shades of Billie Eilish and Finneas’s signature sound. I am looking forward to seeing what he does next. B+

 

“Before and After You” by Sydney Rose

Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Sydney Rose concludes this Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s New Music Reviews! The Georgian-born, Nashville-based performer found inspiration from The Last of Us’s Joel and Ellie’s father-and-daughter dynamic for her latest single, “Before and After You.” The song is beautifully haunting, casting a spell on its listeners. A-

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