By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to another exciting edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews!
We got a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get this party started!
(Album cover property of Dot Records)
We’re All Somebody from Somewhere by Steven Tyler
For the first time in his lengthy and legendary career, Steven Tyler dropped his first solo studio album! We’re All Somebody from Somewhere is also Mr. Tyler’s first venture into country music. While the “Dream On” singer-songwriter has previous experience in country music (with his duets with Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Nashville’s Hayden Panettiere and Willie Nelson), We’re All Somebody from Somewhere gives us the best of both words: old fashion country music storytelling and good ole’ fashioned rock! The Demon of Screamin’ may have toned it down with his famous falsetto, but We’re All Somebody from Somewhere showcases Mr. Tyler’s affection for country, bluegrass and Americana singers that came before him that would satisfy even the pickiest of music lovers. Congratulations, Mr. Tyler, We’re All Somebody from Somewhere is this edition’s Album of the Week! A+
Tracks to Download: “We’re All Somebody from Somewhere,” “Love Is Your Name,” “I Make My Own Sunshine,” “Red, White & You” & “Janie’s Got a Gun.”
Beautiful Broken by Heart
One of America’s greatest rock bands released their twelfth studio album! Heart’s Beautifully Broken focuses on the band’s softer sound. A gigantic bulk of the songwriting duties falls to the Wilson sisters, who co-penned tracks with Ben Mink, Sue Ennis, and even Ne-Yo. The tracks showcase why the Wilson sisters still rule the rock world. Millennial musicians should take notes while they listen to this superb album because it gives them a proper course of track production and its respective arrangement process. B+
Tracks to Download: “Two,” “Heaven,” “City’s Burning” & “Sweet Darlin’.”
(Album cover property of Polydor Records)
Nothing’s Real by Shura
One recording artist that has the music industry talking is British-based synthpop singer-songwriter Shura! Her debut record, Nothing’s Real, will transport millennials back to the 80s where Michael, Prince, Madonna, Janet, Whitney, and Kylie were all in their prime. Shura’s hypnotic beats will leave listeners in a trance that they might not want to go out of. With the help of co-writers Joel Pott, Greg Kurstin and MoZella, Shura has cemented herself as one of pop music’s breakout stars of 2016 and has set the bar extremely high for emerging artists. A-
Tracks to Download: “Kidz n’ Stuff,” “Make It Up,” “Indecision” & “What’s It Gonna Be?”
Ghostbusters: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Various Artists
The Ghostbusters all-female reboot is probably one of the most talked about and even most polarizing films of 2016. While we are waiting for the final verdict of the movie, I found a verdict with its accompanying soundtrack. It pains me to say this, but the Ghostbusters soundtrack is a major dud. Yes, there are some incredible tracks on the album such as friends of the blog Pentatonix’s interpretations of the Ray Parker, Jr. classic, Zayn Malik’s “wHo” and 5 Seconds of Summer’s fantastic track: “Girls Talk Boys.” But, at the same time, do we really need Walk the Moon’s interpretation of the theme song and other 80s tunes such as “Rhythm of the Night”? I rather had more original music that would excite me to see the film than re-hashes of the same songs. C
Tracks to Download: “Ghostbusters (PTX),” “Girls Talk Boys” & “wHo.”
(Album cover property of Warner Bros. Records)
“Sleepover” by Kaya Stewart
At Jake’s Take, we always try to keep you in the loop of rising artists. One artist that caught my attention is the 16-year-old singer-songwriter, Kaya Stewart. Ms. Stewart’s impeccable pop rock vocals have already caught the attention of popular media outlets such as Billboard, “Entertainment Tonight” and USA Today. Her latest single, “Sleepover,” is an outstanding single that will immediately attract both Millennial and Gen Z music lovers. “Sleepover’s” sick production is courtesy of superstar producers RedOne (the producer who helped launch Lady Gaga’s career) and her father, the one, and only Dave Stewart. I have an adamant feeling that “Sleepover” is going to take Kaya Stewart’s music career to the stratosphere. Congrats, Kaya! “Sleepover” is this edition of Jake’s Take: New Music Reviews’ Song of the Week! A+
“No Time for It” by Fantasia
Fantasia’s latest studio album, The Definition of, is scheduled to drop on July 29! The American Idol winner chose this Brian Kennedy, Lance Eric Shipp and Paris “PJ” Jones-penned track to be her first single of her fifth album. “No Time for It” is a catchy track that beautifully blends pop, R&B, and soul together in a track that will relate to all of the on-the-go people on the planet. I am looking forward to seeing what else Fantasia has in store for us July 29. B
“Hands” by Various Artists
Among the heinous atrocities that shook the world, this year was June’s deadly Orlando shooting that killed 49 people and 51 injured at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub. Several of music’s biggest raised their voices on Justin Tranter and Julia Michaels’ co-penned “Hands.” From pop divas such as Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez and Pink to gay icons such as Adam Lambert, Mary Lambert, and RuPaul, the “Hands” recording artists bring comfort to the hundreds of people affected by the tragedy. Also, proceeds from the track will go to Equality Florida, the GLBT Community Center and GLADD. This inspirational track will not only “heal the LBGT community” but it will also heal everyone who is suffering through tragedies around the world. A
(Album cover property of Capitol Records)
“Rise” by Katy Perry
The 2016 Brazil Summer Olympics are a few weeks away! Over the past 20 years, I have experienced hearing some of the greatest anthems in Olympics history such as Gloria Estefan’s epic 1996 standard “Reach” and Celine Dion’s superb “Power of the Dream.” Over the past 24 hours, pop superstar Katy Perry released probably one of them most epic Olympic anthems. With the help of co-writers and producers Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, and Ali Payami, “Rise” will tug at the heartstrings of every sports fan and will inspire every Team USA athlete to exceed their expectations and conquer Rio De Janeiro. A-
“Love Make the World Go Round” by Jennifer Lopez featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda
When Jennifer Lopez posted that she was working Emmy, Grammy and Tony-winning actor/rapper Lin-Manuel Miranda, social media went nuts and instantly wanted to download the song. With the Hamilton creator’s heart-wrenching Tony Award-winning acceptance as a backdrop, the Shades of Blue actress-singer and Mr. Miranda created a dancehall anthem that will rekindle feelings of hope, faith, and of course, love back into the national conscious. This sturdy track also showcases both performers at their finest and all proceeds from each sale of the track will be donated to the Hispanic Federation for the Somos Orlando Fund. Way to go, Ms. Lopez & Mr. Miranda. B+
“Pure & Simple” by Dolly Parton
The Queen of Country Music rounds out this edition. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to interact with Ms. Parton, once again and during the press conference, Dolly revealed that she would release her 43rd studio album. Ms. Parton stated that Pure & Simple would have songs that discuss one of her favorite subjects: love. The title track perfectly captures Ms. Parton’s essence as both a storyteller and a musician that entertained multiple generations of fans for nearly 50 years. A
I do not own any of the clips that were featured in this article. They belong to the respective artists and their record labels.
