By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the latest Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! We got a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s get this party started.
Legend by John Legend
EGOT recipient John Legend dropped a double album (his eighth solo studio record) on September 9. Rolling Stone reported that Legend is divided into two acts. The first part features a hybrid of R&B and rap mashups that features Jazmine Sullivan, Jhené Aiko, Rick Ross, Saweetie, and Ty Dolla $ign. The second act features more mellow and heartfelt tracks such as “Nervous,” “Wonder Woman,” and “I Want You to Know.” The problem with this album is that Legend should have been two separate albums. Legend’s first half features some of the “All of Me” singer-songwriter’s best material in years. However, the second half is full of duds. C+
Songs to Download or Stream: “Rounds,” “Waterslide,” “Guy Like Me,” “All She Wanna Do (solo),” & “Nervous.”
Different Man by Kane Brown
Kane Brown has become one of the millennial generation’s most recognizable artists in country music. Different Man is the third studio album from the “Cool Again” singer-songwriter. Just like his previous albums and expanded plays, Kane invited two guest artists to join him on this album, and they are Kane’s wife, Katelyn Brown, and Mr. Blake Shelton. Different Man also features 15 tracks that Kane co-wrote with the help of Ernest, Jesse Frasure, Josh Hoge, Jordan Schmidt, and Mike Posner. Also, I must give Kane props for co-producing Different Man. He took a huge gamble with this album, and it paid off. Well done, Kane! B+
Songs to Download or Steam: “Different Man,” “Like I Love Country Music,” “Grand,” “Leave You Alone,” & “One Mississippi.”
Patient Number 9 by Ozzy Osbourne
The Prince of Darkness is back! Ozzy Osbourne dropped his thirteenth solo studio album: Patient Number 9. Produced by the incredible Andrew Watt, Patient Number 9 features the Black Sabbath frontman team up with rock music royalty such as Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton plus longtime collaborators Zakk Wylde and Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi. Like 2020’s breakout album Ordinary Man, Patient Number 9 will continue to cement Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy as one of heavy metal music’s greatest rockers. A-
Songs to Download: “Patient Number 9,” “Parasite,” “One of Those Days,” “A Thousand Shades,” & “Nothing Feels Right.”
“Life on Mars” by Annabel Gutherz
Jake’s Take friend Annabel Gutherz paid tribute to David Bowie with her latest single. The “Retrograde” singer-songwriter tackled the Glam Rock icon’s legendary 1971 hit “Life on Mars.” Annabel delivered a stunning vocal performance that would satisfy all Bowie fans! A-
“Last Christmas” by the Backstreet Boys
Legendary boyband Backstreet Boys ARE FINALLY DROPPING A HOLIDAY ALBUM! AJ, Kevin, Howie, Brian, and Nick released their version of Wham!’s iconic “Last Christmas.” When I listened to the single, I was transported back to the late 90s and early 2000s at the height of the Millennium era. This was a beautiful cover song; if this track is anything, A Very Backstreet Christmas will be a fantastic holiday record. A
“9 to 5” by Dolly Parton & Kelly Clarkson
The Queen of Country Music teamed up with the Daytime Emmy-winning talk show host to remake her classic “9 to 5” for the upcoming Still Working 9 to 5 documentary. While the new arrangement is much more mellow, it is great to hear these natural treasures together for the first time finally. B+
Artists to Watch
Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are the recording artists and groups that you need to keep your eye on as they have potential to rock the music world!
Papercut by Carleton Stone
Future Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast guest Carleton Stone released his latest album: Papercut. What I love about the singer-songwriter-producer’s sound is that he can resurrect the classic rock and Americana genres and introduce them to a new generation of music lovers. “Monte Carlo” featured a saxophone solo that reminded me of the late Clarence Clemons, while “Limousines” had hints of “Tears in Heaven” guitar licks. Papercut is a beautiful album from start to finish and launches a new era for Carleton Stone. A
Songs to Download or Stream: “Papercut,” “Limousines,” “Monte Carlo,” “House in the Hills,” & “Hard Days Work.”
Dallas/Fort Worth by Drake Milligan
Drake Milligan is on a hot streak! The country music singer-songwriter placed third on America’s Got Talent: Season 17 and dropped his debut record: Dallas/Fort Worth. The double album features his red hot AGT fan-favorite songs such as “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” and “Kiss Goodbye All Night.” In addition to the honky-tonk country songs, Drake also delivered strong ballads such as the “She’s Got a Way”-esque “She,” “The Dance”- esque “Dance of a Lifetime,” and the goosebump-inducing “Hearts Don’t Break Even.” While he did not win the NBC talent competition’s grand prize, Drake Milligan showcased why he has the potential to be a country music sensation. Dallas/Fort Worth cements an outstanding chapter in Drake Milligan’s post-AGT career, and I cannot wait to see what he does next. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Sounds Like Something I’d Do,” “She,” “Dance of a Lifetime,” “Goin’ Down Swinging” & “Save it For a Sunny Day.”
“You Say My Name” by The Heavy Hours
Vocalist Michael Marcagi, guitarist AJ Yorio, bassist Jonathan Moon, and drummer Flint McCallum II make up Cincinnati-based alternative rock quartet The Heavy Hours. The group dropped their latest single, “You Say My Name,” in which Vance Joy co-wrote the song with the Heavy Hours while Simon Felice and David Baron produced it. “You Say My Name” is a beautiful track from start to finish, and it could be one of my favorite songs of 2022. A+
“This Little House” by SweetNur featuring Traci De Leon
SweetNur rounds out this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! The Roots rock musician is preparing to drop his latest EP: Central Station, on September 30. One song on this extended play is “This Little House,” a duet with Traci De Leon. Instrumental rock fans will devour this beautiful autobiographical tune. B+
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