Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of September 25, 2026

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

Happy New Music Friday, everyone! Welcome to the final September 2026 edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! We got a lot of new music to unpack!

 

Day & Night by Carly Rae Jepsen

Canada’s sweetheart Carly Rae Jepsen’s latest project, Day & Night, is her first full-length original music in three years. Her eighth studio album is a double album with 24 tunes.  The “This Kiss” music maker brought together a superb group of collaborators that included Billboard, husband Cole M.G.N., Christopher J. Baran, Joe Kirkland, and Vincent Pontare. The “Call Me Maybe” hitmaker has always intrigued pop music fans and Day & Night showcases Carly Rae Jepsen’s staying power as a force in the recording industry. A

Tracks to Download or Stream:

Disc 1 – “After All,” “Versailles,”  “Burning Heart,” & “Lonely Side of the Bed.”

Disc 2 – “Never Let a Good Thing Go,” & “Don’t Leave Me on the Dance Floor.”

 

Chakazilla by Chaka Khan

Music legend Chaka Khan dropped her first solo studio album in seven years: Chakazilla! The “Ain’t Nobody” vocalist teamed up with Sia and superstar producer Greg Kurstin to pen new songs. Fellow music icons Lenny Kravitz (“Bring the Party”), Sia (“Cool You Down”), and Snoop Dogg (“Boogie’s in My Soul”) joined Chaka in the studio. Sia and Greg do an incredible job letting Chaka showcase her legendary vocals, while introducing her to the next generation of music lovers. B

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Boogie’s in My Soul,” “Cool You Down,” “I Know You Can,” & “Bring the Party.”

 

Bass Persuades by Miley Cyrus

One year after dropping Something Beautiful, Miley Cyrus released her tenth studio album, Bass Persuades. This record is also significant as it is the first time that the entertainer dropped under her new mononym, “Miley,” which is a move I strongly disagree with, as gossip columnists alluded to the fact that the move insulted the person who put her in the entertainment industry – her father, Billy Ray Cyrus (Even though Variety reported that the “Achy Breaky Heart” recording artist endorsed the decision). For Bass Persuades, the “Wrecking Ball” singer recruited Gregory “Aldae” Hein, Kid Harpoon, Maxx Morando, Michael Pollack, and the Monsters & Strangerz to craft and co-produce the record. Meanwhile, Miike Snow’s Andrew Wyatt and Model/Actriz are the album’s featured artists, appearing on “Neon Signs” and “Different Religion,” respectively.  Bass Persuades is an intriguing record, to say the least, but I wish Miley had a more coherent story to tell this go-around. B-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Bass Persuades,” “Let’s Get Married,” “Aftermath,” & “REDLIGHTS.”

 

Mule by Orville Peck

So far this decade, Orville Peck has sung with music legends (Beck, Sir Elton John, and Kylie Minogue), performed on Broadway, and will star as Vega in the upcoming live-action film Street Fighter (2026). The “Daytona Sand” recording artist dropped his most personal album yet, Mule. In a conversation with The Guardian, Orville Peck said he made the album after surviving his darkest year. Orville Peck and his collaborators do a phenomenal job weaving this tale of his rehab and coming out the other side.  A+

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Already Gone,” “Rehab Blues,” “Ring the Bell,” “The Fall,” “Run Out of Road,” & “Too Little, Too Late.”

 

Crisco” by Miranda Lambert

Crisco, Miranda Lambert’s tenth studio album, will drop on October 2! The “Little Red Wagon” headliner dropped the title track that she co-wrote with Chill Fellacheck, Jesse Frasure, and Aaron Ratiere. “Crisco” is a campy country disco song that will put smiles on listeners’ faces. B

 

“Last Thing You Need” by Morgan Wallen

Grand Theft Auto VI is finally set to release on November 19. The long-awaited video game has released a soundtrack collection featuring original songs from fan-favorite artists across multiple music genres. One of the first singles off this soundtrack is Morgan Wallen’s “Last Thing You Need.” The “I’m the Problem” country music star teamed up with veteran collaborators John Byron, Chase McGill, Blake Pendergrass, and Ryan Vojtesak to co-write the tune, while Morgan’s go-to producers Joey Moi and Charlie Handsome engineered it. “Last Thing You Need” is one of Morgan’s rare ventures into pop music, and he knocked it out of the park. A-

 

 

“Party” by Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan is getting ready to release his fourth studio album, She’s The Best. “Party” is the latest single off the record. The “Rush” singer-songwriter teamed up with Luka Kloser, Elvira Anderfjard, Tove Burman, Leland, Tyde Levi, Rob Feher, and Styles Fuego to pen this tune, which also samples Madonna’s “Music.” “Party” is a hypnotic tune that will be a must-have for countless party playlists. B+

 

“Silencio” by U2

On November 13, U2 will drop Carnaval de Luz, its first album of original material in nine years! The band’s latest single, “Silencio,” is an edgy hard rock tune that features Bono’s swaggy vocals and impeccable guitar arrangements. I am looking forward to hearing the rest of the album. A-

 

 Artists to Watch:

Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are two recording artists that are sure to shake up the music industry.

 

“Fight Me” by Brooklin Rich

Las Vegas singer, songwriter, and producer Brooklin Rich comes from music royalty, as he is the great-grandson of the legendary jazz drummer Buddy Rich. His latest single, “Fight Me,” is a hypnotic pop-R&B jam that has shades of classic eras of both Justins (Timberlake & Bieber). A-

 

“Shattered” by Laura Frotini

Aurora, Ontario-based singer-songwriter Laura Frotini wraps up this edition of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s New Music Reviews. Her recently released single, “Shattered,” weaves a haunting tale of a family struggle Laura faced after her twin brother went through a difficult situation. I admire Laura’s courage in sharing this song with the public, and every lyric will tug at listeners’ heartstrings. B+

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