By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome everyone to Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! We have a lot of music to digest, so let’s get this party started.
Thank u, next by Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande released another studio album in six months, which could be either a brilliant move or a disastrous decision. Thank u, next is made up of 12 tracks that deal with a plethora of issues that affected Ms. Grande’s personal life. The album featured a plethora of songs that were co-written by the “Dangerous Woman’s” team of collaborators including Tommy Brown, Victoria Monet, Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Justin Tranter, and Ilya. Thank u, next is a strong album and it showcases what direction Ms. Grande is going with her career in the music industry. A-
Tracks to Download: “Thank u, next,” “needy,” “bloodline,” “fake smile,” & “break up with your girlfriend, I’m bored.”
Stages by Cassadee Pope
Stages is Cassadee Pope’s first studio album since she parted ways with BMLG Records. This 11-track album is full of splendid tracks including “One More Red Light,” “If My Heart Had a Heart,” and “Don’t Ask Me.” Stages marks a brilliant new chapter in The Voice champion’s career, and I hope that country music radio stations play this superb album. B+/A-
Tracks to Download: “One More Red Light,” “If My Heart Had a Heart,” “Don’t Ask Me,” & “I’ve Been Good.”
VIDA by Luis Fonsi
Pop Latino superstar Luis Fonsi is bridging the gap that Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias created in the late 1990s and early 2000s. While VIDA is his tenth studio album, it might be the first time that music lovers would ever down a full studio album. One reason why people are checking out an album could be thanks to a certain song “Despacito,” a track that he recorded with Daddy Yankee and remixed with Justin Bieber. Thanks to the superb collaborations with Demi Lovato, Stefflon Don, and Ozuna, VIDA is probably one of the biggest Pop Latino albums of the decade. A-
Tracks to Download: “Apaga la Luz,” “Imposible,” “Echame la Culpa,” “Despacito (Remix),” & “Calypso.”
The Love Train by Meghan Trainor
All aboard! Singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor is celebrating her marriage to actor Daryl Sabara in his new EP, The Love Train. The Four: Battle for Stardom judge released one of her best extended plays to date. The songs transported fans of the “All About That Bass” singer-songwriter could imagine joining the Trainor and Sabara families on their special day. I have a hunch that The Love Train could be played at weddings around the world. A
Tracks to Download: “ALL THE WAYS,” “MARRY ME,” “I’M DOWN,” “AFTER YOU” & “GOOD MORNIN’.”
“Women” by Florida Georgia Line featuring Jason Derulo
Florida Georgia Line is close to release their latest studio album, Can’t Say I Ain’t Country. The duo reunited with their “This is How We Roll [Remix]” collaborator Jason Derulo for new music. The duo and Derulo worked with co-writers David Garcia and Josh Miller on this song and I think it brilliantly blends their two worlds together. Also, the impeccable instrumental arrangement might transport listeners to a summer camp evening as this is a splendid campfire track. B
“Talk” by Khalid
It is Grammy weekend, and Khalid, one of the music industry’s hottest artists dropped a new track. “Talk” showcases a possible tender side to the “Young, Dumb, and Broke” singer-songwriter. “Talk” is a great song and we might be talking about this song at the 2020 Grammy Awards. A-
Artists to Watch
Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews’ Artists to Watch is back! Here are several artists that are ready to shake up the music industry.
“We Are The Champions” by Brian Justin Crum
Brian Justin Crum is going to be one artist that you should keep your eye on. He is currently part of the inaugural Top 12 of America’s Got Talent: the Champions. He recently released a cover of Queen’s “We Are the Champions.” I think he brilliantly made the song his own and I think the internet would literally break if Brian sang this track with Queen + Adam Lambert. Bravo, Brian! A
“Bad Habit” by Ben Platt
Emmy, Grammy, and Tony-winning performer Ben Platt released his first single off of his upcoming studio album: Sing to Me Instead. The Dear Evan Hansen alum showcased that he has a superb voice and has a strong potential to have the same breakout success as Ariana Grande, Nick Jonas, and Lea Michele, who all started on Broadway. B
“Figured You Out” by Fuel on Fire
Nashville-based rock band Fuel on Fire is getting ready to be one of the
“You Need Love” by JD Simo
Nashville-based musician JD Simo released his first single off of his upcoming debut solo record: Off at 11. “You Need Love” is a sturdy jam record and it showcases that JD Simo is setting himself nicely as one of his generation’s premiere guitarists. I have to say that it will not be long until the rock world offers him a place at the table. A-
“Made Up” by Valentin Marx
Brooklyn-based trio Valentin Marx are gearing up to take the indie rock genre in an exciting direction. The band’s line-up consists of guitarist and lead vocalist Andrew Kissel, bassist Travis Pinkston, and drummer-percussionist Brian Yurachek. “Made Up” definitely showcases the band’s potential in the music industry thanks to the song’s intriguing lyrics and instrumental arrangement. B+
“Just You and I” by Tom Walker
Singer-songwriter Tom Walker has the distinct privilege of being the last artist featured on this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews. He has been taking the international music world by storm. His breakout single, “Leave A Light On,” peaked at the number one spot on 20 different countries’ iTunes charts and is nominated for two BRIT Awards. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Tom Walker and Epic Records released an epic love song: “Just You and I.” I love the lyrics and the instrumental arrangement will give listeners a pep in their step. I cannot wait to hear what Tom has in store for music lovers next. A-
I do not own any of the video clips that are sprinkled on the blog, they belong to the artists and their respective record labels.
