Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of September 18, 2026

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

Welcome to the second September 2026 edition of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s New Music Reviews! We’ve got a lot of music to unpack, so let’s start this party!

 

Desmond Child Rocks the Parthenon: The Live Concert Album by Desmond Child

One of my all-time favorite songwriters and producers (and music legend), Desmond Child, dropped the live album of his massive concert, Desmond Child Rocks the Parthenon. The concert celebrated decades of music with an all-star lineup of recording artists. Alice Cooper, Andreas Carlsson, Chris Willis, George Lembesis, the Rasmus, Rita Wilson, Tabitha Fair, and the late Bonnie Tyler all took the stage to perform hits that Desmond wrote and produced over the years.  Desmond Child Rocks the Parthenon is the best live album of the year and perfectly celebrates Desmond’s legendary career! A+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Angel,” “Hide Your Heart,” “Poison,” “Kings & Queens,”  “Love Will Keep Us Alive,” & “Livin’ on a Prayer [finale].”

 

I Know Too Much by Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding is back! The “Lights” and “Something in the Way You Move” songstress dropped her first new album in three years! I Know Too Much features ten new songs she co-wrote with Aaron Blair, Evan Blair, Madison Love, Mags Duval, and Sophie Cates. Meanwhile, Jack Rochon, Calum Landau, Connor McDonough, and Riley McDonough pulled double duty and acted as both songwriters and producers. I Know Too Much brings Ellie into the worlds of synth and acoustic pop.  Ellie Goulding still has the magic to hypnotize her listeners through her superb songs and production. A

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Black Prada Dress,” “Jealousy,” “4 Seasons,” “Nobody Dances,” “Always Think of You,” & “Ravers.”

 

Westside Whimsy by Jhené Aiko

Six years after releasing her breakthrough three-time Grammy-nominated album, Chilombo, Southern California superstar Jhené Aiko dropped her latest record, Westside Whimsy. Several hip-hop luminaries such as Kendrick Lamar, Larry June, and Tygo make drop-in cameos throughout the album. Aiko, Brian Warfield, Julian-Quan Viti Le, and Macalean Robinson co-wrote most of the album, and it’s solid content that showcases Jhene’s chemistry with her guest artists. B

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Break,” “Ceiling ( Freestyle),” “Don’t Be That Guy,” & “So Good.”

 

It’s A Dying Art by Little Big Town

Little Big Town (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook) released their twelfth studio album, It’s A Dying Art. The “Pontoon” quartet’s latest offering focuses on highlighting the true art of country music – storytelling and authentic music-making – during the rise of the music industry’s embrace of AI. The group recruited Ashley Monroe (“Sucker for a Sad Song”), Jason Isbell (“The Door”), and Kelsea Ballerini (“Closing Time”) as the album’s featured artists, which is a first in the band’s history! Meanwhile, an all-star group of songwriters, including Ballerini, Monroe, Clint Daniels, Hillary Lindsey, Jessdie Jo Dillon, Liz Rose, Sean McConnell, Shelby Lynne, and Waylon Payne, helped craft this offering’s batch of tunes that showcases Little Big Town’s staying power in the country music world. B

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Sucker for a Sad Song,” “Dying Art,” “Hey There Sunshine,” & “Over & Over.”

 

 

The Phase – EP by Monsta X

South Korean boyband Monsta X dropped its fourteenth extended play, The Phase. Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M. dropped six new tunes. The Phase marks a new chapter in the “Middle of the Night” K-pop group’s career. The group incorporated various musical genres, including R&B, hip-hop, and EDM. The Phase – EP is a superb experimental EP that showcases their maturity as recording artists. B

Tracks to Download or Stream: “MAGIC,” “Type X,” “Electric Heart,” & “That’s My Girl.”

 

“Uninvited” by Brandi Carlile

I became a fan of Alanis Morissette’s iconic “Uninvited” after she performed it with The X Factor USA: Season One runner-up Josh Krajcik in December 2011. Earlier this year, singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile put her own spin on the song with her band at the Newport Folk Festival.  Brandi and her band delivered a splendid, haunting cover of the City of Angels anthem that would make the “You Oughta Know” recording artist proud. A-

 

“Already Gone” by Orville Peck

Singer-songwriter Orville Peck will drop his fourth studio album, Mule, on Warner Records on September 18. Rolling Stone reported that the “Death Valley High” recording artist co-wrote the song with Jacob Portrait and was produced by Jay Joyce. The tune focuses on Orville’s rehab journey during one of the darkest periods of his professional and personal life.  I love that “Already Gone” blends many musical elements, including doo-wop and Americana. I am looking forward to listening to Orville’s latest record. B+

 

Artists to Watch:

 

Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s Artist to Watch is Back! Here are several artists that are shaking up the music world!

 

PRIMA by Adela

The Debut: Dream Academy alumni Adela dropped her first studio album, PRIMA. She recruited an all-star group of collaborators, including Ali Tamposi, Caroline Ailin, Cashmere Cat, Harrison Smith, and Julia Michaels. Blake Slatkin and Dylan Brady stepped up to the plate, producing most of PRIMA. Listening to the album reminded me of the first time I listened to Adele, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and P!nk at the start of their respective careers. Like those incredible performers, I believe Adela is scratching the surface and could be this generation’s breakout superstar thanks to outstanding songs, superb production, and excellent vocals. A-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “KGB,” “Nicole Kidman,” “Boys,” “Fantasize,” & “Starving Artist.”

 

Wild West: American Stories by Grant Maloy Smith

Billboard-charting Americana recording artist Grant Maloy Smith dropped his latest studio album, Wild West: American Stories. This is the fourth in his American history concept records. Listeners will get chills when they hear Sacajawea sing the powerful “Voices on the Wind” and feel inspired by the traveling tunes “Go West, Boys” and “Wagon Train.” Grant Maloy Smith does an impeccable job weaving the stories that shaped America’s rapid geographic expansion to the west during the 19^th Century. Kudos to Grant; I hope several of these songs find their way into playlists across the Americana and academic worlds. B+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Go West, Boys,” “Voices on the Wind,” “Wagon Train, “Good Lord, My God,” & “John Henry Holiday.”

 

 

“Now You See Me” by Immersed

Future Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast guests, Immersed, is one duo you need to keep your eyes on. Immersed is a collaboration between Brazilian music producers OWNBOSS & Scorsi.  “Now You See Me” is an impeccable EDM track that will get everyone up and dancing! A-

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