Welcome to the latest installment of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews of 2025! (Bitmoji property of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Happy New Music Friday, everyone! We got a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s start this party!
Through Avenoir, Calum Scott takes listeners on an emotional roller coaster ride that inspires and tugs at their heartstrings. (Album cover property of Universal Music Group)
Avenoir by Calum Scott
A decade ago, Calum Scott began his journey in becoming an international powerhouse after winning Britain’s Got Talent. Today, the “You Are the Reason” singer-songwriter dropped his third studio album, Avenoir. He reunited with longtime collaborator Jon Maguire, and they welcomed Ben Johnson, Charlie Martin, the Digital Farm Animals, Mike Needle, Natalie Hemby, and Shane McAnally to the writers and producers’ room. Avenoir also features a duet with fellow Reality TV alum Lauren Alaina (“One More Drink”) and a special version of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” which features vocals from the late Whitney Houston. Through Avenoir, Calum takes listeners on an emotional roller coaster ride that inspires and tugs at their heartstrings. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Lighthouse,” “At Your Worst,” “Roots,” “My World,” & “ I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”
Country! Country! is an average record from HARDY. (Album cover property of Big Loud Records)
Country! Country! By HARDY
Country music superstar HARDY released his fourth studio album, Country! Country! The “Wait in the Truck” superstar recruited a plethora of country music hitmakers to co-pen and co-produce 20 tracks. Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, David Garcia, Jameson Rodgers, Jessie Jo Dillion, and Jordan Schmidt are some of the names you would find on the track listing. At the same time, Joey Moi executive-produced the album, and Ernest and Stephen Wilson, Jr. are featured artists. Country! Country! Is an average record. C
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Country Country,” “Bro Country,” & “Bottomland.”
Here For It All is a mixed outing for Mariah Carey. There are some powerful songs, such as “Play This Song,” the ballad “Nothing is Impossible,” and the disco-funk empowered “I Won’t Allow It.” However, numerous redundant tracks might bore the lambs. (Album cover property of MARIAH)
Here For It All by Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey’s Here For It All marks the Queen of Christmas’s first studio album of original material since 2018’s Caution. Ms. Carey brought the next generation of hitmakers to assist her with the album’s co-writing and production process. Anderson. Paak, BongoByTheWay, Daniel Moore II, Harv, Roget Chahayed, and Sheenseea are some of the songwriters and producers that lambs can find on the album’s track listing. In addition to Anderson. Paak and Sheenseea, gospel music legends, the Clark Sisters are featured artists for this go-around. Here For It All is a mixed outing for the “Always Be My Baby” performer. There are some powerful songs, such as “Play This Song,” the ballad “Nothing is Impossible,” and the disco-funk empowered “I Won’t Allow It.” However, numerous redundant tracks might bore the lambs’ listening experience. B-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Play This Song,” “Type Dangerous,” “Nothing is Impossible,” & “I Won’t Allow It.”
The Life of a Showgirl is Taylor Swift’s most mature album to date and could be featured in multiple Best of the 2020s lists at the end of 2029. (Album cover property of Taylor Swift)
The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift has had a busy 2025! She got engaged to longtime boyfriend (and Kansas City Chiefs tight end) Travis Kelce and released her new studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. Her twelfth studio album brought back Red, 1989, and Reputation collaborators Max Martin and Shellback as co-executive producers and songwriters. The Life of a Showgirl brings the “Look What You Made Me Do” singer-songwriter back to the pop and soft rock music realms. Numerous media outlets, including CNN, The Hollywood Reporter, and Rolling Stone, have done their best to unpack her songs and uncover hidden Easter eggs. From allegedly defending the polarizing Blake Lively in “Cancelled” to allegedly going after both Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta in “Father Figure” and Charli XCX and ex Matty Healy in “Actually Romantic” to the various songs addressing her romance with Travis Kelce, the “Mean” recording artist does a superb job using her music to address tabloid gossip. While numerous albums featured multiple guest artists, only Sabrina Carpenter received the honor of being the only guest artist on the album’s finale and titular track. The Life of a Showgirl is Taylor’s most mature album to date and could be featured in multiple Best of the 2020s lists at the end of 2029. B+
Tracks to Download or Stream: “The Fate of Ophelia,” “Elizabeth Taylor,” “Opalite,” “Eldest Daughter,” & “Wood.”
Zara Larsson’s Midnight Sun is one of 2025’s strongest dance-pop records, and I could see it as a blueprint for future pop music superstars to use as they begin creating their tunes. (Album cover property of Sommer House & Epic Records)
Midnight Sun by Zara Larsson
Zara Larsson dropped her fourth studio album, Midnight Sun! The “Carry You Home” singer recruited Helena Gao, Margo XS, MNEK, Tiffany “New York” Pollard, and Jon Shave to collaborate on the record. Midnight Sun is one of 2025’s strongest dance-pop records, and I could see it as a blueprint for future pop music superstars to use as they begin creating their tunes. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Midnight Sun,” “Pretty Ugly,” “Girl’s Girl,” “Crush,” & “Hot & Sexy.”
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