Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of March 29, 2024

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!

 

Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé

Beyoncé dropped her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter. This is the second chapter in a trilogy project that started with 2022’s Renaissance. In Renaissance, the “Crazy in Love” performer and her team tackled club music. Now, the “Freedom” entertainer has set her sights on country music. Cowboy Carter is not Beyoncé’s first foray into the country music world as she included “Daddy Lessons” on her popular 2016 album, Lemonade, and performed the songs with the Chicks at the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards. Cowboy Carter contains 27 tracks with a run time of nearly 80 minutes. The album features three covers, including the Beatles’ “Blackbird,” Chuck Berry’s “Oh Louisiana,” and a modern-day version of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” There are plenty of superstar drop-ins, including the “I Will Always Love You” singer-songwriter Willie Nelson and Linda Martell, the first Black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. The Beyhive can also expect to see collaborations with Miley Cyrus (“II Most Wanted”), Post Malone (“Levii’s Jeans”), and Willie Jones (“Just for Fun”). While Cowboy Carter is classified as a “country” album, it is a full Beyoncé record that will inspire the next generation of recording artists. A- 

Tracks to Download: “16 Carriages,” “Texas Hold ‘Em,” “Jolene,” “II Most Wanted,” & “Levii’s Jeans.”

 

 

 

JPEG RAW by Gary Clark, Jr. 

Singer and guitar virtuoso Gary Clark, Jr. dropped his fourth studio album! The four-time Grammy winner’s latest, JPEG Raw, is an acronym for Jealousy, Pride, Envy, Greed, Rules, Alter Ego, and Worlds. Throughout the album “The Land,” the performer lets fans into his expanded music universe with his signature blues-rock sound and R&B, hip-hop, and traditional African music. His guitar solos still hypnotize listeners while taking them on a roller coaster journey that ranges from the tender “To the End of the Earth” and Keyon Harrold collaboration “Alone Together” to the social justice anthems such as the title track, “Hearts in Retrograde,” and the Stevie Wonder duet “What About the Children.” JPEG Raw showcases why Gary Clark, Jr. is one of my generation’s top musicians, as his thought-proving lyrics and superb musical arrangements will help inspire aspiring recording artists and fans. B+ 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Maktub,” “JPEG Raw,” “To the End of the Earth,” “What About the Children,” & “Hearts in Retrograde.”

 

 

Everything I Thought It Was by Justin Timberlake

The 2013 version of me would have been ecstatic when Justin Timberlake announced his latest album, Everything I Thought It Was. But after I found out about the hell he put Britney Spears through in her memoir The Woman in Me and passing the 20th anniversary of the Super Bowl Halftime Show scandal that nearly ruined Janet Jackson’s career; I had second thoughts. Listening to this album was as painful as testing for Gout and getting my blood drawn. Yes, the “Mirrors” singer-songwriter recruited classic collaborators such as Danja and Timbaland, Louis Bell, James Fauntleroy, Cirkut, and Ryan Tedder to produce and craft these songs. But the *NSYNC reunion “Paradise”  and “F*****n’ Up the Disco” are the only quality songs on the 18-track record. I was bored out of my mind and wanted to give him a Got Talent red X. D 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “F****n’ Up the Disco” & “Paradise.”

 

 

Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran by Shakira 

Shakira dropped her first album in seven years. Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, which translates to Women No Longer Cry in English, showcases the “She Wolf” singer-songwriter at her personal best. The former Voice coach recruited an all-star group of collaborators to co-pen and co-produce her twelfth studio album. Some of Pop Latino’s top artists, including Bizarrap, Karol G, Ozuna, and Rauw Alejandro, all make cameos throughout the album. At the same time, Cardi B kicks off the record with the fiery opener “Puntería.” Meanwhile, Albert Hype, Bizarrap, David Stewart, Edge, and Tainy assisted with the production aspects. While Shakira’s personal life and tribulations have made it into the public eye, the Columbian-born music icon continues to persevere and inspire her fan base and the next generation of Pop Latino superstars. A 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Puntería,” “La Fuerte,” “Tiempo Sin Verte,” “Cómo Dónde y Cuándo,” & “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53.”

 

 

“Legendary” by Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi is preparing to mark a major milestone this year! The legendary rock band is celebrating its 40^th anniversary along with its 16^th studio album, Forever, this year. “Legendary,” the first single off this album, is classic Bon Jovi and it feels like a major hug to the band’s massive fan base. A-

 

 

“Why’d You Come Here Lookin’ Like That” by Brian Falduto

I love hearing new music from Jake’s Take friend Brian Falduto! The country music singer paid homage to Dolly Parton by covering the Queen of Country Music’s 1989 hit “Why’d You Come Here Lookin’ Like That.” I loved the arrangement and the Brian Wilson-style harmonies in the song’s latter half. Bravo, Brian! A

 

 

“Hell Together” by David Archuleta 

For 16 years, David Archuleta has been a part of the pop culture zeitgeist. The American Idol and Masked Singer USA runner-up has recently opened up about his personal life, including bravely coming out on social media in 2021. His latest single, “Hell Together,” focuses on his departure from the Ladder-day Saints and the encouraging words that his mom gave him after making this life-altering decision. David co-wrote the song with Ryan Nealon, Sam Derosa, and Jordan Sherman, who also produced the track. The lyrics tug at listeners’ heartstrings, and the choir at the chorus gave me chills. “Hell Together” has the potential to change a lot of lives for the better. Bravo, David! A+ 

 

 

“ROCKSTAR” by HARDY

HARDY is entering the rock music genre. The “He Went to Jared” singer-songwriter showcases heavy metal guitars and screamo, “And it goes like” in his latest single, “ROCKSTAR.” I love the chorus and sound and am interested in seeing what HARDY does in the rock world. B+ 

 

 

“Been Like This” by Meghan Trainor featuring T-Pain

Meghan Trainor released a new single: “Been Like This.” She teamed up with T-Pain, her brother Ryan, Kurt Thum, Gian Stone, and Grant Boutin to write the song, and the latter two produced the song. “Been Like This” reminds me so much of her classics such as “All About That Bass” and “Lips Are Movin’.” “Been Like This” is pure ear candy, and I cannot wait for Meghan’s album to be released in June. B

 

 

“Tease Me (Remixes)” by Scott Gardner x Hector Fonseca 

Jake’s Take friend Scott Gardner concludes this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! Scott released two remixes of his latest single, “Tease Me.” The song reminds me so much of classic Britney and Madonna while inviting listeners into two universes. The club remix is perfect for the dance halls, while the Hector Fonseca-produced tribal remix is necessary for raves. Well done, Scott! A 

 

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