Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of May 31, 2024

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

Welcome to the final May 2024 edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! We got a lot of material to unpack, so let’s start this party!

 

Hit Me Hard and Soft by Billie Eilish

It is hard to believe that Billie Eilish will celebrate her tenth anniversary in the music industry next year since she released her first single: “Six Feet Under,” the “When the Party’s Over” singer-songwriter won two Oscars and nine Grammy Awards and has become one of her generation’s most influential voices. On May 17, Interscope Records released Hit Me Hard and Soft, her third studio album. Once again, Billie partnered with her talent collaborator and brother, Finneas, to craft another set of 10 tunes. Frankly, there were only a few gems on this album: the snarky “Lunch,” the hypnotic “Birds of a Feather,” and the “Bad Guy” esque “The Diner.”  I would have been bored throughout the listening process. C- 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Lunch,” “Birds of a Feather,” & “The Diner.”

 

Blue Electric Light by Lenny Kravitz

Rock music icon Lenny Kravitz released his twelfth studio album! Blue Electric Light marks his first record of new material since 2018’s Raise Vibration. The four-time Grammy-winning musician continues to showcase why he is one of the best disciples of rock and funk music. “TK421” and “Let It Ride” take a page from the late Prince’s playbook, while “Human” feels like a continuation of his 2011 hit “Stand.” Blue Electric Light showcases that Lenny Kravitz continues to elevate his craft as a top musician, and I hope that the next generation of musicians will study this fabulous record. A

Tracks to Download or Stream: “It’s Just Another Fine Day (in This Universe of Love),” “TK421,” “Paralyzed,” “Human,”  “Bundle of Joy,” & “Love Is My Religion.”

 

Runnin’ Outta Time – EP by Lily Rose

Lily Rose is one of my favorite country music voices of this decade, thanks to songs such as “Villain” and her collaboration with Diplo – “Sad in the Summer.” Recently, she dropped her latest extended play (EP), Runnin’ Outta Time. This EP is pure fire! Each song on the album deserves to be played on various country music radio and streaming playlists! A+ 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “The Goal,” “Back Pew,” “Parking Lot,” “True North,” “Two Flowers,” & “Runnin’ Outta Time.”

 

Clancy by Twenty One Pilots

Twenty One Pilots concluded a new chapter in their career. Lead vocalist Tyler Joseph and drummer Josh Dun’s seventh studio album, Clancy, wraps up a story arc they starred in their 2018 studio album, Trench, which introduced the fictional character Clancy and his attempts to escape his hometown of Dema. Tyler Joseph teamed up with longtime collaborator Paul Meany to craft and produce phenomenal tracks that could give Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff a run for their money. Clancy is a superb album that cements Twenty One Pilots as an excellent music storytellers.  B 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Overcompensate,” “Next Semester,” “Midwest Indigo,” &  “Navigating.”  

 

 

“She’s Gone, Dance On” by Disclosure

Disclosure is one of my favorite EDM duos! The Grammy-nominated duo dropped their latest single: “She’s Gone, Dance On.” Brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence delivered a superb record that could potentially be on everyone’s “Song of the Summer” playlists. A-

 

 

“Music on the Radio” by Empire of the Sun

Sydney, Australia-based EDM duo Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore are known as Empire of the Sun. For the first time in eight years, they will drop a new record, Ask That God, on July 26. One of the album’s new singles is “Music on the Radio.“ The duo likens this song to a teenager rebelling against his imaginary emotions. The catchy beats and chorus perfectly set the tone and expectations for Ask That God. A

 

 

“SUNBURN“ by Harrison Barnes

Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar friend Harrison Barnes dropped his latest jam! “SUNBURN“ transports listeners back to care-free summer days at the pool that is sandwiched between two Max Martin eras – the late 1990s and early 2000s, where the Backstreet Boys, Britney, and *NSYNC dominated the airwaves, and Demi Lovato’s “Cool for the Summer“ era in 2015. “SUNBURN“ is superb, Harrison! A-

 

 

“I Wanna Thank Me“ by Meghan Trainor featuring Niecy Nash Betts

Meghan Trainor’s latest album is releasing next week! Just Jared reported that the former Australian Idol and The Voice UK judge teamed up with actress Niecy Nash Betts for her latest single: “I Wanna Thank Me.“ The song features some of the actress-comedian’s iconic 2023 Emmy Awards speech. “I Wanna Thank Me“ is an empowerment anthem that will make listeners smile and dance. B

 

Artists to Watch:

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

 

“Oh tanya!” by The Dream Eaters

The Dream Eaters are made up of Elizabeth LeBaron and Jake Zavracky. Their latest single, “Oh tanya,” is a superb new wave, synthpop song that captures brings the 1980s essence into the modern day world. A

 

“Thrown Around” by James Blake

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter James Blake begins a new chapter in his career – entering the independent artist lane. “Thrown Around” is the new single that kicks starts his new chapter. The UK-based artist hypnotizes listeners with a superb drum track and keyboard arrangement. I cannot wait to see what he does next. A-

 

“Delirious Summer” by Nikitaa

Future Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast guest Nikitaa and rounds out this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews. She dropped her latest single: “Delirious Summer.” Nikitaa weaved contemporary R&B and psychedelic pop together for the perfect piece of ear candy! I hope that “Delirious Summer” is one of the candidates for the Song of Summer 2024.  A

 

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