Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of March 28, 2025

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com 

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

 

Nashville Canyon, Part One EP by Jessica Simpson

Entrepreneur Jessica Simpson has returned to her music roots! The fashion mogul dropped Nashville Canyon, Part One, her first studio project in 15 YEARS! The “Irresistible” performer decided to turn left into the country music genre. Nashville Canyon, Part One showcases that Jessica Simpson still has her excellent vocals that are not drowned by heavy autotune and unnecessary production. I am glad that Jessica is back and is doing music her way. B+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Sunday Lover,” “Blame Me,” & “Use My Heart Against Me.”

 

I Said I Love You First by Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are one of the current power couples in the music industry! The unlikely duo released their first collaborative album, I Said I Love You First.  Many music superstars, such as Finneas, Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, Mattman and Robin, Mike Sabath, and Mikky Ekko, are credited with helping the hitmakers co-write the album’s tunes. At the same time, Bart Schoudel, Blake Slatkin, Cashmere Cat, and Jackson Shanks assisted Benny Blanco with the production process. Several tracks, including “Sunset Blvd,” “Cowboy,” and “How Does It Feel to Be Forgotten,” reminded me of Lana Del Rey, while “Call Me When You Break Up” and “Bluest Flame” will satisfy Selena’s EDM fans. Surprisingly, I Said I Love You First starts a new era for the duo, and I would be pleased to see if they made a sequel. B

 Tracks to Download or Stream: “Call Me When You Break Up,” “Don’t Wanna Cry,” “Sunset Blvd,” “Cowboy,” & “Bluest Flame.”

 

“The Giver” by Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan scored the Best New Artist Grammy earlier this year! She followed up her Grammy win by releasing her highly anticipated country song, “The Giver.” The “Pink Pony Club” performer co-wrote the song with Dan Nigro, who also produced the track. “The Giver” reminds me of an unreleased song in Big & Rich, the Chicks, and Shania Twain’s catalogs. The song is a true bop, and I could see it not only dominate country music radio and streaming playlists but also secure a spot on Top 40 stations and play a role in the 2025 music awards race. A

 

Crème Brulée” by David Archuleta

David Archuleta released a new single, “Crème Brulée.” This hypnotic single perfectly captures the listeners’ ears, and there are undertones of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.” Here’s hoping that “Crème Brulée” becomes a part of pride celebration playlists everywhere. B+

 

“Abracababra” by Frankie Zulferino

Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar friend Frankie Zulferino has done it again! He transformed Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” from a dance-pop anthem to a beautiful piano ballad! Frankie’s superb vocals shone, and the accompanying music video featuring Angels & Demons undertones was creatively brilliant! A-

 

“I’m A Little Crazy” & “Just in Case” by Morgan Wallen

Country music superstar Morgan Wallen will release his fourth studio album, I’m the Problem, on May 16. He has dropped two singles to prepare fans for this record: “I’m A Little Crazy” and “Just in Case.” Morgan’s longtime friend HARDY co-wrote “I’m A Little Crazy” with Smith Ahnquist, Hunter Phelps, and Jameson Rodgers. Morgan does an impeccable job of transporting listeners to his Tennessee life. The lyrics, “A little crazy but the world’s insane,” along with the chorus, will tug at listeners’ heartstrings. The “Lies Lies Lies” singer-songwriter co-wrote the track with John Byron, Troy Matthews, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Ryan Vojtesak, Josh Thompson, and Alex Bak. Meanwhile, longtime collaborators Joey Moi and Charlie Handsome co-produced the song. “Just in Case” is a superb ballad that showcases Morgan’s hesitation surrounding welcoming potential romantic partners into his orbit, which many fans can relate to. Both songs:  B+

 

“I’m Movin’ On” by Rascal Flatts & Kelly Clarkson

After a brief hiatus, country music supergroup Rascal Flatts is back together, kickstarting a new era by revisiting the past. Life is a Highway: Refueled Duets, their first studio album since 2017, focuses on retooling their greatest hits and transforming them into superstar collaborations. Grammy and Emmy-winning Kelly Clarkson joined the trio to tackle their 2001 single, “I’m Movin’ On.”  Kelly channeled the pain from the tabloid headlines into a superb vocal performance, and the collaboration was a goosebump moment. A-

 

Artists to Watch:

 

Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch is Back! Several recording artists and bands are ready to shake up the music world.

 

American Grin by Jason Scott and the High Heat

Oklahoma City-based band Jason Scott and the High Heat have received rave reviews from various media outlets, such as BBC Radio, The Boot, and NPR, for blending Americana, heartland rock, and country music influences. The group released its latest album, American Grin. Jason Scott and the High Heat’s material is superb from start to finish. They have captured the art of storytelling in a way missing from most of the decade’s music releases. Jason Scott and the High Heat will be our generation’s top storytellers in the Americana field. A

 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “High Country,” “Golden,” “Me & The Bottle (Hungover You),” “Yardwork,” &  “Natalie.”

 

“Best of Me” by Kina featuring Clide

Platinum music producer Kina is known for shaping the “bedroom Lo-fi pop” movement, and EARMILK and PAPER have praised his work. He teamed up with Berlin-based indie singer Clide for a stirring and reflective song, “Best of Me.” Kina does a superb job blending a melancholic production with Clide’s tone that will tug at listeners’ heartstrings. A-

 

“Dead Weight” by Maya Kuriel

Seattle-raised, Los Angeles-based Maya Kuriel is building a social media following with her haunting synth-pop anthems. Her latest single, “Dead Weight,” reminds me of if both Leona Lewis’s “Bleeding Love” and Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness” had an offspring. The production is superb, and Maya’s hypnotic vocals will pull at listeners’ heartstrings. B+

 

“Fly Girl” by Tim Johnson Jr.  

Tim Johnson Jr. wraps up this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! The Everybody Hates Chris and The Four: Battle for Stardom alum dropped a buzzy new single, “Fly Girl.” This song takes me back to the days when Chris Brown and Ne-Yo burst onto the music scene, and Usher ascended to the Prince of Pop & R&B throne.  “Fly Girl” is the perfect positive pop-R&B that the radio and streaming scene currently needs. A

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