Welcome to the latest installment of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews of 2024! (Bitmoji property of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Happy New Music Friday, everyone! Welcome to the final Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews of September 2024. We got to unpack, so let’s start this party!
Despite this superstar crew of producers and rap writers, Future’s Mixtape Pluto is a creative bust. (Album cover property of Epic Records)
Mixtape Pluto by Future
Rapper Future dropped his sixteenth mixtape! Mixtape Pluto does not feature any guest artists, but it does include an all-star group of collaborators that includes ATL Jacob, FnZ, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., London on da Track, Southside, and longtime friend Wheezy. Throughout the Mixtape Pluto listening process, I noticed many redundant tracks, as Future’s flow seemed repetitive. Despite this superstar crew of producers and rap writers, Mixtape Pluto is a creative bust. D
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Teflon Don” & “Ready to Cook Up.”
Katy Perry’s 143 have massive dance songs such as “Women’s World,” “Crush,” and “Lifetimes.” However, both “Gorgeous” (the Kim Petras collaboration) and “I’m His, He’s Mine” (the Doechii duet) drag the album’s flow. Otherwise, it is a solid album. (Album cover property of Capitol Records)
143 by Katy Perry
Katy Perry dropped a new studio album for the first time in four years! Much has happened to the “Walking on Air” songstress released Smile. She became a mom, performed at President Joe Biden’s inaugural, headlined a Las Vegas residency, and left ABC’s revival of American Idol after seven seasons. 143 marks a new era for Katy Perry as she returned to her dance-pop roots with her Teenage Dream collaborators – the polarizing Dr. Luke, the legendary Max Martin, and the iconic Stargate production team – hoping to create a “dance party.” Newcomers Rocco Did It Again! and Vaughn Oliver assisted with the songwriting and production process. 21 Savage, Doechii, J.I.D., and Kim Petras appear on the album. 143 does have massive dance songs such as “Women’s World,” “Crush,” and “Lifetimes.” However, both “Gorgeous” (the Kim Petras collaboration) and “I’m His, He’s Mine” (the Doechii duet) drag the album’s flow. Otherwise, it is a solid album. B-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Women’s World,” “Crush,” “Lifetimes,” & “All the Love.”
High continues to showcase why Keith Urban will be timeless. (Album cover property of Hit Red Records & Capitol Records)
High by Keith Urban
Keith Urban dropped his eleventh album, High. The celebrated Australian American country music superstar embraced the country pop music genre as he continues to showcase why he is one of his generation’s top guitarists, with superb riffs sprinkled throughout the album. Current country music it-girl Lainey Wilson is the only featured artist as they deliver a fantastic collaboration: “Go Home W U.” While the likes of Wilson, Beyonce, Jelly Roll, Luke Combs, and Morgan Wallen continue to carve their names into the genre, High continues to showcase why Keith Urban will be timeless. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Straight Line,” “Messed Up as Me,” “Wildside,” “Gone Home W U,” & “Chuck Taylors.”
7 showcases that despite being out of the public eye over the years, Ms. Furtado’s ear for talent and artistry remains sharper than ever. (Album cover property of Nelstar Entertainment Inc & 21 Entertainment Group)
7 by Nelly Furtado
My jaw dropped when I heard that Nelly Furtado would drop another studio album. I loved her when I first heard “Turn Off the Light,” “I’m Like a Bird,” and “Maneater,” and I was impressed with her Flo Rida and Timbaland collaborations in the 2000s and 2010s. But she got lost in the shuffle as my music interests changed. 7 showcases that despite being out of the public eye over the years, Ms. Furtado’s ear for talent and artistry remains sharper than ever. Charlotte Day Wilson, FnZ, Gray Hawken, Jim Beanz, SG Lewis, Tyler “T-Minus” Williams, and Tove Lo assisted the “Say it Right” singer-songwriter build this superb album. The 2020s are sure to be Nelly Furtado’s comeback decade! A+
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Showstopper,” “Love Bites,” “Floodgate,” “All Comes Back,” “Save Your Breath,”& “Ready for Myself.”
“The Prayer” by CelloVoci
CelloVoci (Branden James, James Clark, and Effie Passero) released their debut single, covering the legendary Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion classic “The Prayer.” Branden and Effie’s vocal harmonies and James’s superb instrumental arrangement will give listeners chills! Bravo! A
“Somebody Else’s” by Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani is releasing her first studio album in seven years! On November 15, the No Doubt frontwoman and The Voice coach will drop Bouquet. “Somebody Else’s” is the second single off the album. The “Baby Don’t Lie” singer-songwriter collaborated with Fred Ball, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Madison Love, Nick Long, Jake Torrey, and Henry Walter to co-write the song. At the same time, husband Blake Shelton’s longtime collaborator Scott Hendricks produced the song. “Somebody’s Else” reminds me of a hybrid of classic No Doubt songs such as “Hey Baby” and “Don’t Speak” and new wave music. The track is a solid single, and I cannot wait to hear more of the album. A-
Artists to Watch:
Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are the artists that could shake up the music industry:
Yo Homo! by The Irrepressibles
The Irrepressibles is the creative guise of British musician Jamie Irrepressible! The alternative rock artist has made waves in the United Kingdom and the European Union. His latest album, Yo Homo, takes listeners on a journey that crosses the Sahara Desert (“The Desert (instrumental)” and into Los Angeles (“In the Rhythm”). Throughout the album, Jamie holds a hypnotic hold on his listeners. By the time they reach the end of Yo Homo, many listeners might put him in the same category as Brittany Howard, Finneas, and Orville Peck as musicians who elevate the genre for their generation. B+
Tracks to Download: “The Desert (instrumental),” “Raise My Soul,” “Two Hearts,” “Yo Homo!” & “Will You?”
Jamie Lambert stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist in his debut album: What I Was Made For. (Album cover property of Westway Music Ltd)
What I Was Made For by Jamie Lambert
Jamie Lambert became an international household name, winning Britain’s Got Talent in 2014 as part of Collabro and co-founding Lambert Jackson Productions, an Olivier Award-nominated production company whose tours and theatrical productions have entertained UK and global audiences. He has released his first solo studio album, What I Was Made For. Jamie tackled songs that range from cinema classics (“The Rainbow Connection” & “What I Was Made For”) and diva anthems (“I Surrender” and “Still the One”) to classic rock (“Golden Slumbers”/”Carry That Weight” and “Long, Long Time”). What I Was Made For is a fabulous debut album by Jamie, and I cannot wait to see what he does next. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “What I Was Made For,” “I Surrender,” “The Rainbow Connection,” “Forgiveness’ Embrace,” & “Still the One.”
“Colonel” by The Kilans
Salt Lake City indie rock band The Kilans recently signed to Mom+Pop Music. The band comprises Jack Ongman on vocals and rhythm guitar, Jacob Shultz on lead guitar, Cooper Brezoff on bass, and David Wiseman on drums. The quartet’s latest single, “Colonel,” takes listeners back to Jack Ongman’s dark teen years. The Kilans tugged at listeners’ heartstrings thanks to their early 2000s indie rock sound. B+
“Pin-Up Boy” by M the Myth
M the Myth is an innovative electro-pop artist dedicated to community leadership and advancing LGBTQIA+ issues. They dropped an intriguing track, “Pin-Up Boy.” Like Sam Smith and Kim Petras did with “Unholy,” M the Myth’s hypnotic jam has the potential to make electro-pop music lovers dance and have everyone talking. A-
“LANDMINE” by Sloe Jack
Australian artist and music producer Sloe Jack (Jack Mark Garritty) rounds out this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! He released his latest single, “LANDMINE.” The song combines metal and rap with electrifying results. The superb combination of metal guitar riffs and excellent drum arrangements makes “LANDMINE” one song that rock music lovers should have on their playlists. A-
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