By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the latest edition of New Music Releases!
This week, I am taking an in-depth look from the latest new music from Top 40 favorites and a couple of potential candidates to be 2015’s Breakout Star.
Las Vegas rock band Imagine Dragons’ sophomore album will excite fans! (Album cover property of Interscope Records)
Smoke + Mirrors by Imagine Dragons
Three years ago, a Las Vegas rock band took the country by storm! Imagine Dragons’ Night Visions spun out five singles and one Grammy Award! Now, the quartet unleashed their sophomore album! For this album, Dan, Wayne, Daniel and Ben wrote and arranged a strong majority of Smoke + Mirrors. Fans will be happy to hear that the band used a diverse group of musical genres throughout the album. From the 80s synthpop in “Shots” to the mellow hybrid of spoken word and techno in the title track, the quartet and their producer, Alex da Kid, have created an album that other millennial rock bands could use as a guide. I hope that several of these singles make it onto multiple radio stations! Congratulations, Imagine Dragons! Smoke + Mirrors is my Album of the Week! A+
Tracks to Download: “Shots,” “Gold,” “ I Bet My Life,” “Polaroid” & “Dream”
If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late by Drake
Drake surprised his fans by pulling a Beyoncé and releasing his fourth studio album on Valentine’s Day eve! For hip-hop lovers, this was probably one of the best surprises of the year so far. Drake continues to grow as a rapper by addressing current tabloid events (“Energy” & “No Tellin’”) and an artist that could challenge the Queen of Pop (“Madonna”). However, while the beats are addictive (courtesy of PartyNextDoor, Boi-1da and Noah “40” Shebib)…this material bored me. Not even the collaborations with PartyNextDoor, Lil Wayne and Travi$ Scott can save this album. If you are a true fan of the DeGrassi alum, then you will love this album…however, if you are just a normal music lover…SKIP THIS ALBUM! D+
Tracks to Download: “Energy” & “Legend”
Ella Eyre’s self-titled EP cemented her place as an early frontrunner to be a breakout star for 2015! (Album property of Virgin Records)
Ella Eyre by Ella Eyre
Over the past couple of years, multiple newcomers that are based in the UK have invaded the mainstream music industry. However, there is one new singer-songwriter that has caught my ears! Her name is Ella Eyre. The London-based singer-songwriter has unleashed an EP of epic proportions! Not only are the lyrics catchy, but also her voice is just precious. Hopefully, Ella Eyre will have the same success that Adele, Ella Henderson and Sam Smith had in the United States! A-
Tracks to Download: “If I Go,” “Comeback” & “Home”
“What Kind of Man” by Florence + The Machine
Florence + the Machine are back! The group released their first single in two years in the form of “What Kind of Man.” During the first few bars, it sounds like a traditional track: “Spectrum.” However, listeners will get a shocking jolt when the band successfully merged brass with rock in an superb fashion! We missed hearing from you, Florence and we hope that there will be more impeccable material on your third studio album: How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful drops on June 1. A
“Strangers” by The Rebel Light
One band that I had the pleasure of watching grow right before my eyes is The Rebel Light! The LA indie based band continued to unleash a song of epic proportions that will take listeners back to the late 1950s and mid 1960s, where both the Beach Boys and the Doors were at their prime. Not only the lyrics are catchy and hummable, but their high quality production showcased sturdy instrument arrangements. Congratulations, Rebel Light! “Strangers” is my Song of the Week! A+
“Marvin Gaye” by Charlie Puth feat. Meghan Trainor
The final song that I am highlighting this week features two impeccable YouTube superstars! Charlie Puth, who has started to gain a following with his superb pop-R&B vocals, and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor. Their tribute to Motown icon Marvin Gaye definitely celebrates his legacy with the tracks’ superb production, which is a hybrid of Soul, doo-wop and pop overtones. It would definitely put a smile to your face! B+
I do not own the clips that are sprinkled throughout the article! They belong to the artists and their respective record labels.
