Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of Nov. 1, 2024

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

Happy New Music Friday, everyone! We got a lot of music to unpack, so let’s start this party!

 

Duets (30^th Anniversary) by Andrea Bocelli

Celebrated tenor Andrea Bocelli is celebrating 30 years in the recording industry! Decca Records released Duets (30th Anniversary), a double-disc collection to mark the milestone. The collection features previously released collaborations such as “Time to Say Goodbye” (with Sarah Brightman), “The Prayer” (with Celine Dion), “Perfect Symphony” (with Ed Sheeran), and “Canzoni Stonate” (with Stevie Wonder).  They also released new duets with an all-star group of artists that range from country superstars Chris Stapleton (“Il Mare Calmo Della Sera”) and Shania Twain (“Da Stanotte in Poi” (“From this Moment On”) to music icons such as Gwen Stefani (“Holding On”) and Marc Anthony (“La Voce Del Silenzio”). Duets (30th Anniversary) has some standout moments across Andrea Bocelli’s career. Still, I wished that there were more iconic moments featured, such as his performance of “The Prayer” with Heather Headley and David Foster in 2006, his 2013 duet of “Canto Della Terra” with Fantasia, and 2018’s performance of “The Prayer” with Kristin Chenoweth. Otherwise, Duets (30th Anniversary) is an impeccable collection that showcases Andrea’s powerful presence in the music industry. B+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Vivo por Ella,” “Da Stanotte in Poi (“From This Moment On”), “Holding On,” & “Il Mare Calmo Della Sera.”

 

Sunset BLVD: The Album by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Nicole Scherzinger, Tom Francis & the Cast of Sunset BLVD

When I was in New York City, I reunited with Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar friend and Tony-winning producer Evan McGill. He took me to see one of the final previews of the Oliver Award-winning Sunset BLVD, a revival starring Nicole Scherzinger and Tom Francis.  I was enthralled by Nicole Scherzinger’s take on the iconic Norma Desmond, Tom Francis’s Joe, David Thaxton’s Max, and Grace Hodgett Young’s Betty. Nicole, who won an Oliver for her take on Norma Desmond, delivered an iconic vocal performance. Sunset BLVD is a fabulous production and has a masterful soundtrack. Also, RUN! If you are in New York City, don’t walk to see Sunset BLVD. A

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Let’s Do Lunch,” “With One Look,” “Schwab’s Drugstore,” “New Year’s Tango,” “Sunset Boulevard,” & “As If We Never Said Goodbye.”

 

Hartfelt Family Christmas by Chapel Hart

Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar friends and AGT finalists Chapel Hart released their first holiday record! Hartfelt Family Christmas finds Danica and Devynn Hart and Trea Swindle celebrating the holidays with some iconic guest stars.  Music legends Darius Rucker, Gretchen Wilson, the Isaacs, Jason Crabb, and Vince Gill all pop in to spread some holiday cheer as they tackle Christmas classics such as “Silver Bells,” “O Holy Night,” “White Christmas,” and “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful.” Chapel Hart does a superb job transporting audiences to their holiday party, and several tracks from Hartfelt Family Christmas should be included in multiple holiday playlists.  B+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Silver Bells,” “Hartfelt Family Christmas,” “O Holy Night,” & “Mary Did You Know?”

 

The Great Impersonator by Halsey

After releasing her fifth studio album, The Great Impersonator, Halsey returned to the pop-rock music scene. Rolling Stone reported that the “Graveyard” singer-songwriter’s latest set of music was recorded during the birth of her son, Ender, and while she struggled with her lupus and T-cell disorder diagnoses. Halsey recruited veteran collaborator Greg Kurstin and new faces Alex G, Gregory Hein, Michael Uzowuru, and Stuart Price to co-produce and co-write the album. Several highlights of the album include “Lucky,” an interpolated version of the classic 2000s Britney Spears song, grunge rock anthem “Lonely is the Muse,” and the double Greg-penned “Ego.” The Great Impersonator showcases that Halsey is a fighter and delivered some of her most personal material yet. B+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Ego,” “Panic Attack,” “I Believe in Magic,” “Lonely is the Muse,” & “Lucky.”

 

MEGAN: ACT II by Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Thee Stallion released a reissue of her third studio album, Megan. The rapper-singer released an additional 13 tracks, making the MEGAN era 31 songs.  The first half of the album (MEGAN: ACT II) features bombastic lyrics from the “Body” performer and an all-star group of collaborators, including featured artists Flo Milli, RM of BTS, and TWICE along with producers such as frequent collaborators Buddah Bless and LilJuMadeDaBeat, Drumma Boy, FnZ, and songwriters such as Ciara, Jamal Jones, and Nija Charles. The MEGAN saga showcases Megan Thee Stallion’s staying power in the music industry and how she is reshaping modern-day rap music. A-

Tracks to Download or Stream from the first half (MEGAN: ACT II): “Bigger in Texas,” “Roc Steady,” “Right Now,” “Mamushi (remix),” &  “Neva Play.”

 Tracks to Download or Stream from the second half (Megan): “HISS,” “Figueroa,” “Where Them Girls At,” & “Spin.”

 

 

“Arachnids” by Disclosure

I cannot believe that the English electronic music duo Disclosure will celebrate its fifteenth anniversary in the music industry in 2025! Brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence have dominated the globe with their catchy EDM collaborations with artists such as Gregory Porter, Lorde, Mary J. Blige, Sam Smith, and the Weeknd. Their latest single, “Arachnids,” will leave listeners in a seductive trance filled with hypnotic beats and slick production. I am looking forward to what the Lawrence Brothers bring to 2025! B/B+

 

 

“Disease” by Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga has officially entered a new era! The Golden Globe, Grammy, and Oscar-winning entertainer released the first single of the highly anticipated LG7, “Disease.” She teamed up with Andrew Watt, Cirkut, and Michael Polansky, while the former three produced the song. “Disease” is a hypnotic blend of dark pop, dance-pop, and EDM that showcases why Lady Gaga is a force to be reckoned with in the pop music world. A+

Love my content? Subscribe today to my YouTube channel and my podcast!