Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of May 17, 2024

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com  

Happy New Music Friday, everyone! Here is the latest edition of the Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! Let’s start this party!

 

Cassandra (cherith) by Andra Day

It has been nine years since Andra Day released her debut album, Cheers to the Fall. Since then, the “Rise Up” singer-songwriter earned an Emmy Award, plus a Grammy and a Golden Globe for her work in The United States versus Billie Holliday. Her sophomore outing is Cassandra. Rated R&B reported that Cassandra (Cherith) focuses on Andra Day’s journey in the various stages of love. Like in her previous projects, Andra’s vocals will hypnotize listeners as she infuses blues and classical jazz with modern R&B. Keep your ears out for rapper Wale, who joins Andra Day on the song: “Heavy on the Mind.”  B+ 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Probably,” “Midnight,” “In the Meantime,” & “Where Do We Go?”

 

Radical Optimism by Dua Lipa

Thanks to songs such as “New Rules,” “Levitating,” and “Don’t Stop Now,” Dua Lipa has become an international household name. Radical Optimism, her third studio offering, features tracks that Dua co-wrote with her core team: Kevin Parker, Danny L. Harle, Caroline Ailin, and Andrew Wyatt, with support from Ian Kirkpatrick, Ali Tamposi, Emily Warren, and Julia Michaels. Meanwhile, Ailin, Harle, and Parker received support from Cameron Gower Poole as they co-produced the album.  Listening to Radical Optimism reminded me of the first time I listened to Britney Spears’s Oops! I Did It Again and Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream. Like its modern classic predecessors, Radical Optimism has career-defining songs such as “Houdini,” Training Session,” and “Illusion,” but also some future underrated gems (“Falling Forever”). I predict that multiple songs from Radical Optimism will be incorporated into various dance party playlists for years to come. A- 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Houdini,” “Training Session,” “These Walls,” “Illusion,” & “Falling Forever.”

 

Stampede: Vol. 1 by Orville Peck

Within a few short years, alternative country singer-songwriter Orville Peck has become one of the most influential performers of my generation. The “Lafayette” performer released the first half of his first duet project: Stampede. Music legends Sir Elton John (“Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting”) and Willie Nelson (“Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other”) headline the first volume. At the same time, Midland, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Noah Cyrus provide superb collaborations. Not only is Orville a fabulous vocalist, but he is also an excellent producer, as he worked with Christopher Stracey to co-produce this album. I am looking forward to the second half of Stampede. B+ 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other,” “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” “Conquer the Heart,” & “How Far Will We Take It?”

 

“HE KNOWS” by Camila Cabello featuring Lil Nas X

Two late 2010s breakout artists, Camila Cabello and Lil Nas X, released a collaboration: “HE KNOWS.” The song is part of the “Havana” singer-songwriter’s upcoming Interscope Records debut C, XOXO. The pair co-wrote the song with Daniel McKay, Jasper Harris, Pablo Diaz-Reixa, and Ojerime Smith, while Harris worked with Daniel Aged and El Guincho on the production process. “HE KNOWS” has an addicting beat and will make listeners dance. B+  

 

 

“Miles on It” by Marshmello & Kane Brown

Marshmello teamed up with Kane Brown for a country-pop and EDM mashup: “Miles on It.” The duo recruited Castle, Connor McDonough, Earwulf, Jake Torrey, Riley McDonough, and the Digital Farm Animals to craft the track. While I am not a massive fan of EDM and country music crossing over, both Marshmello and Kane Brown’s “Miles on It” is an exception to the rule as the hypnotic beats and superb lyrics let both artists shine. A- 

 

“I Had Some Help” by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen

For years, Post Malone teased that he was eyeing a visit to the country music world. After his high-profile collaboration with Beyonce in “Levii’s Jeans,” Post finally arrived with “I Had Some Help.” He teamed up with country music superstar Morgan Wallen and Ashley Gorley, Chandler Paul Walters, Ernest, Hoskins, Louis Bell, and Ryan Vojtesak, and they co-wrote this superb country pop bop! Post and Morgan are two of my generation’s top singer-songwriters, and I am delighted that these two have finally teamed up and delivered one of the best songs of 2024! A+ 

 

Artists to Watch:

Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are the recording artists that are looking to shake up the music world.

Glorious by Kate Hudson

Actress Kate Hudson finally released her debut album, Glorious.The former Glee guest star and the Almost Famous and Glass Onion alum revealed to People that her debut will be genre-blending. The Oscar-nominated actress collaborated with music legend Linda Perry, Carolina Liar keyboardist Johan Carlsson, and finance Danny Fujikawa on crafting the album. There are potential adult contemporary and streaming hits such as the country bop “Romeo” and the bluesy “Love Ain’t Easy.” Glorious proves that Kate Hudson has a future in the music industry and could release additional albums. B+ 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Gonna Find Out,” “Fire,” “Talk About Love,” “Love Ain’t Easy,” & “Romeo.”

 

“Saving Face” by Dela Kay

Nashville, Tennessee, alternative pop music artist Dela Kay dropped her latest single: “Saving Face.” The song she co-wrote with her producer Stefano Pigliapoco is an in-your-face pop-punk anthem with shades of Avril Lavigne’s “Boyfriend” and Paramore’s “Ain’t It Fun.” Dela can potentially be one of her generation’s top pop-punk artists if she continues to deliver quality material. A 

 

“Know Us” by MarkJoseph

New York-born, Los Angeles-based MarkJoseph has spent some of his career as a backing vocalist for Nick Jonas and the Jonas Brothers. Now, he is stepping forward into the spotlight with his latest song: “Know Us.” MarkJoseph’s velvet vocals will put smiles on listeners’ faces. I cannot wait to hear more from MarkJoseph in the future. B+

 

“Nothing to Fear” by A Short Walk to Pluto 

A Short Walk to Pluto rounds out this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! Founded in 2018, lead vocalist Emma Armstrong, lead guitarist Max Kaiser, bassist Danny Moriana, and drummer Jake Biggs make up the band. Thanks to their Instagram and TikTok followings, they caught Howard Stern’s attention, who endorsed them. The band’s latest single, “Nothing to Fear,” is a haunting track that will give listeners chills and inspire them that the dark times will soon end. A+ 

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