By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Happy #NewMusicFriday, everyone! We got a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s get this party started!
Love Sux by Avril Lavigne
It is hard to believe that Avril Lavigne released her debut album: Let’s Go, twenty years ago. The “Complicated” singer-songwriter teamed up Mod Sun, John Feldmann, and Travis Barker for her most pop-punk album in years. The trio crafted tracks that took listeners back in time where the “Sk8er Boi” conquered the charts. Love Sux is a superb album that features cameos from Machine Gun Kelly, Blackbear, and Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus. B
Tracks to Download: “Bite Me,” “Love It When You Hate Me,” “Kiss Me Like the World is Ending,” & “Déjà vu.”
Higher by Michael Buble
Canadian crooner Michael Buble dropped his eleventh studio album: Higher. The album contains a mixture of original tracks and covers. The original songs such as “Baby I’ll Wait,” “I’ll Never Not Love You,” and “Higher,” which the “Haven’t Met You Yet” singer co-wrote with son Noah, and music veterans John Mayer, Jon Bellion, Ryan Tedder, and Greg Wells are the highlights of the album. The only complaint with this album was that it had too many cover songs. I would have kept the Sir Paul McCartney-produced “My Valentine,” the energetic “Make You Feel My Love,” and “Crazy,” his duet with Willie Nelson while discarding the rest. B-
Tracks to Download: “I’ll Never Not Love You,” “Higher,” “Baby I’ll Wait,” & “Crazy.”
“Ghost Story” by Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood dropped her latest single: “Ghost Story.” Good Morning America reported that the new song focuses on a scorned lover that will be haunting her ex for ages to come no matter how hard he tries to forget her. I loved this direction of a revenge song, and I thought it was a smart move by the “Cry Pretty” singer to recruit her longtime collaborators – Hillary Lindsey, Josh Kear, and David Garcia – to pen the song. I am looking forward to this new era as she prepares to enter her career’s latest chapter. B+
“Sigue”/”Forever My Love” by J Balvin & Ed Sheeran
People reported that two of my generation’s top musicians, J Balvin and Ed Sheeran, teamed up for two singles: “Sigue” and “Forever My Love.” Both songs are superb, and I bet many fans of the “Bad Habits” singer-songwriter loved hearing him sing in Spanish. I would love to hear more collaborations from them in the future. A
“Long Way ‘Round” by Jewel
Jewel continues to prepare the music world for latest album: Freewheelin’ Woman. Once again, the “Who Will Save Your Soul?” singer-songwriter delivers a powerful folk rock anthem that will put a smile on her fans’ faces. I loved the jazzy chorus and the inspirational lyrics. I am very excited for Freewheelin’ Woman to be released. A+
“Redlight” by Swedish House Mafia featuring Sting
EDM supergroup Swedish House Mafia recruited rock music legend Sting for their latest single off their upcoming album: Paradise Again. Unfortunately, when I heard Sting’s voice, it was from a sample of The Police’s “Roxanne.” I love both artists, but I felt “Redlight” was lazy because the “Fields of Gold” singer-songwriter could have quickly recorded new vocals for this superb dance track. D+/C-
Head to the second page to for this edition of Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch!
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