Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of July 5, 2024

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

 Welcome to the first Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews of July 2024! I hope that you are enjoying your Fourth of July weekend with your friends and family! We got a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s start this party!

 

C,XOXO by Camila Cabello

Camila Cabello entered a new era in her solo music career. Her fourth studio album, C, XOXO, is her first album off her new record label, Universal Music Group’s Interscope Records. Pablo Díaz-Reixa and Jasper Harris played a significant role in assembling the album’s music and production. At the same time, the former Voice coach worked with many featured artists such as BLP Kosher, Drake, JT, Lil Nas X, Playboi Carti, and Yung Miami to assemble the songs. While there were only a few notable standout tracks, the featured artists were the headliners instead of the “Havana” singer-songwriter. C-/C

Tracks to Download or Stream: “HE KNOWS,” “Dade County Dreaming,”&  “Hot Uptown.”

 

Long Time Honey by Fox and Bones

Scott Gilmore and Sarah Vitort are known as Fox and Bones. They are an energetic, offbeat folk rock duo with a retro pop sound. The duo, who are this edition’s Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch, released their latest album, Long Time Honey. Scott’s voice reminds me of a superb blend of Bob(s) Dylan and Seger, while Sarah has a Jennifer Nettles-esque tone to her voice. Long Time Honey is a breath of fresh air in today’s genre-blending music industry. The songs that the duo co-wrote with award-winning singer-songwriter Greg Holden, who also produced the album, are phenomenal and are, at times, better than what today’s Top 40 radio and streaming playlists offer. A

Tracks to Download or Stream: “All On Red,” “House by the River,” “Digital Wasteland,” “Long Time Honey,” “The Best You Can,” & “Constellations.”

 

 

 

LOOM by Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons dropped their sixth studio album, LOOM. Three of the band’s members (singer Dan Reynolds, lead guitarist Wayne Sermon, and bassist Ben McKee) collaborated with the dynamic production duo Mattman and Robin to craft all ten of the album’s songs. They received assistance from J Balvin when the Reggaeton singer and rapper appeared on the second version of “Eyes Closed.” Listening to LOOM feels like returning to the group’s classic records – 2012’s Night Visions and 2015’s Smoke & Mirrors. I love that the band is back in top form, and I cannot wait to hear more music from Imagine Dragons in the future. A-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Nice to Meet You,” “Eyes Closed,” “Take Me to the Beach,” “In Your Corner,” & “Gods Don’t Prey.”

 

 

Songwriter by Johnny Cash

The late country music legend Johnny Cash’s estate released his fifth posthumous album, Songwriter. U Discover Music reported that the singer’s son, John Carter Cash, found an album’s worth of songs that the Man in Black recorded but shelved 30 years ago in favor of working with legendary music producer Rick Rubin. Mr. Carter Cash and co-producer David R. Ferguson picked a group of musicians to polish these songs. It is lovely to hear the “I Walk the Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues” singer-songwriter’s voice again. Songwriter perfectly showcases to country music fans and newcomers that Mr. Cash was one of the best songwriters the music industry has ever seen. A

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Hello Out There,” “Spotlight,” “Drive On,”  “Well Alright,” “Poor Valley Girl,”  & “Have You Been to Little Rock?”

 

 

Paragon by Steve Aoki

Celebrated DJ and EDM superstar Steve Aoki dropped his ninth studio album, Paragon. Paragon marks the first time since his 2012 debut record Wonderland that it has not launched into a franchise such as Neon Future and Hiroquest. The listeners have been transported into his residency at Caesar Palace’s OMNIA Nightclub.  While it features superstar collaborators such as Kid Cudi (“ELECTROWAVEBABY 2.0”), Lil John (“Get Lower”), and Ne-Yo (“Heavenly Hell”), I was bored at times while I was listening to Paragon.  C+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Heavenly Hell,” “ELECTROWAVEBABY 2.0,” & “3 Days.”

 

 

Keep Me Fed by The Warning

The Warning finally released their second album as Lava Records and Republic Records signed artists! Sisters Daniela “Dany,” Paulina “Pau,” and Alejandra “Ale” Villarreal Vélez make up this hard-rocking trio. Keep Me Fed features all new material written by the Villarreal Vélez sisters and collaborators Dan Lancaster, Shaun Lopez, Kevin Hissink, Sam Hollander, Mike Elizondo, and Anton DeLost, who executive produced the album. Keep Me Fed elevates The Warning’s powerful guitar solos, percussion arrangements, and hypnotic lyrics. I believe that Keep Me Fed is one of the best rock albums of 2024 and soars The Warning to new heights in their career. A+

Tracks to Download: “Six Feet Deep,” “S!CK,” “Apologize,” “MORE,” “Escapism,” “Satisfied,” & “Sharks.”

 

 

“Cherry Blossom” by Empire of the Sun

Empire of the Sun released their third single off their upcoming fourth studio album, Ask That God. “Cherry Blossom” is a superb EDM track that would make listeners dance and transport them into Emperor Steele and Lord Littlemore’s massive music festival. A

 

 

“JOYRIDE” by Kesha

Just in time for Independence Day weekend, Kesha released a new single! The “Raising Hell” singer-songwriter co-wrote “JOYRIDE” with Madison Love and Zhove, who also produced the song. “JOYRIDE” is the first song from Kesha’s new record label, Kesha Records. “JOYRIDE” feels like “Blow” and “We R Who We R”’s daughter. I believe “JOYRIDE” will be one of the Songs of Summer 2024. A+

 

“Lies Lies Lies” by Morgan Wallen

Hot off his BST Hyde Park debut, country music superstar Morgan Wallen dropped his latest single: “Lies Lies Lies.” Jessie Jo Dillion, Josh Miller, Daniel Ross, and Chris Tompkins co-wrote the song, while Joey Moi produced it. “Lies Lies Lies” was originally part of the “Last Night” performer’s Abbey Road sessions.  The track is haunting thanks to its catchy chorus and hypnotic guitar arrangement. A-

 

 

“Tough” by Quavo & Lana Del Rey

Quavo and Lana Del Rey teamed up for a new collaboration: “Tough.” I did not have this collaboration on my 2024 Bingo Card. “Tough” effortlessly blends their unique vocal stylings together, which would satisfy both fanbases. B+

 

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