By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the almost-Summer edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! It is hard to believe that 2021 is almost halfway over. We got a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s get this party started.
Jordi by Maroon 5
Maroon 5 released their first album in four years. Jordi, the group’s seventh album, honors the group’s former manager and Adam Levine’s longtime friend, Jordan Feldstein. He was also the brother of both Beane Feldstein and Jonah Hill. The album continues to follow the format that the “This Love” pop-rock band established with 2017’s Red Pill Blues. Maroon 5 continued to infuse R&B musical elements into their work and brought in a plethora of superstar artists sprinkled across the record. Stevie Nicks, blackbear, Megan Thee Stallion, and the late Juice WRLD. Also, Andrew Watt, Brittany Hazzard, Cirkut, Jon Bellion, Louis Bell, and the Monsters and Strangerz are some of the songwriters and producers that assisted Adam Levine on the track creation. Jordi does feature some great collaborations such as “Beautiful Mistakes” (Megan Thee Stallion), “Remedy” (Stevie Nicks), and “Convince Me Otherwise” (H.E.R.). Jordi is a solid album, and I look forward to seeing which tracks chart on the radio and streaming playlists. B+
Tracks to Download: “Nobody’s Love,” “Lost,” “Convince Me Otherwise,” & “Remedy.”
“I’d Want It To Be You” by Barbra Streisand & Willie Nelson.
Barbra Streisand is opening up her vault and releasing ten unreleased tunes. One of them is her 2014 duet with country music icon Willie Nelson. The performers originally recorded the Steve Dorff, Jay Landers, and Bobby Tomberlin-penned track for Streisand’s 2014 album Partners. However, the Waler Afanasieff and Babyface-produced song was shelved in favor of the EGOT-winning performer’s collaboration with Blake Shelton. The duet showcases Ms. Streisand at her best vocally and the “On the Road Again” singer’s lower vocal register. A-
“God Bless the USA” by Home Free featuring Lee Greenwood & the United States Air Force Band
I first heard of country music A cappella group when they collaborated with longtime Jake’s Take friend Peter Hollens. Now, the quintet is recording with several American treasures. Media outlet A Taste of Country revealed that Home Free recorded a new version of “God Bless the USA” with Lee Greenwood and the United States Air Force Band. The Sing-Off alums’ new version gives Americans across the country and world a new chance of hope and patriotism. A-
“Everything” by John K
It has been a while since we heard from Jake’s Take friend John K. Today, the Epic Records-signed singer-songwriter dropped his latest single: “Everything.” Pop music fans will love “Everything’s” lyrics and the EDM-esque synthesizer production. I think this is one of John K’s stronger tracks. B+
“Last Train Home” by John Mayer featuring Maren Morris
John Mayer just released his latest single off of his upcoming eighth studio album: Sob Rock. “Last Train Home” features Toto-esque piano riffs and the “Your Body is a Wonderland” singer-songwriter’s signature guitar licks. Also, keep your ears out for country music star Maren Morris, who provided the song’s background vocals. “Last Train Home” is one of his best songs since 2016’s “Love on the Weekend.” B/B+
“One Way Out” by Melissa Etheridge
Rock icon Melissa Etheridge is getting ready to release her sixteenth album: One Way Out. The title track features some impeccable vocals from the music legend and some of the best guitar and drum licks I have heard this year. Thank you, Ms. Etheridge, for continuing to show us new ways to rock out! A
Head to the second page for this edition’s Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch!
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