By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the latest edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews. We got a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s get this party started.
Diane Warren: The Cave Sessions, Vol. 1 by Diane Warren
Diane Warren is one of my all-time favorite songwriters of all time. She co-wrote songs for some of the world’s biggest names in music. Now, the prolific songwriter is stepping into the spotlight with her first studio album. For Diane Warren: The Cave Sessions, Vol. 1, Ms. Warren recruited a diverse group of superstar recording artists that represent multiple music genres. From Pop (Celine Dion) and Country (Maren Morris) to Latin (Luis Fonsi) and Rap (G-Eazy), The Cave Sessions, Vol.1 brilliantly showcases each artist at their apex. Diane Warren: The Cave Sessions, Vol. 1 is one of my favorite albums of 2021, and I hope that some of these songs are featured in conversations regarding award season. Bravo! A+
Tracks to Download: “Times Like This,” “Sweet,” “When We Dance Slow,” “I Save Me,” & “Superwoman.”
Solar Power by Lorde
Two-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lorde released her third studio album: Solar Power. The New Zealand artist reunited with Melodrama collaborator Jack Antonoff and recruited Malay for her highly anticipated record. From the first few tracks, the music seemed upbeat. There are several songs such as “The Path,” “Fallen Fruit,” and “Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen It All)” that have strong potential to join “Royals” and “Green Light” as candidates for definitive Lorde tracks. In addition to Jack Antonoff and Malay, other artists such as Lawrence Arabia, Marlon Williams, Phoebe Bridgers, and Robyn contributed as backing vocalists (and songwriting in Robyn’s case). Solar Power can dominate in several categories such as radio airplay, streaming, and potentially the 2021-22 awards season. Solar Power is a solid album, and I love this direction for Lorde. B+
Tracks to Download: “The Path,” “Solar Power,” “Fallen Fruit,” & “Mood Ring.”
Live From the Ryman and More by Sheryl Crow
In 2019, Sheryl Crow rocked the legendary Nashville venue – Ryman Auditorium and Los Angeles’ Theatre at the Ace Hotel. Those performances led to Ms. Crow’s fourth live album: Live from the Ryman & More. The nine-time Grammy-winning artist performed songs throughout her career from “All I Wanna Do” to “Tell Me When It’s Over.” Ms. Crow and her team brought out a diverse group of superstar friends to perform some of her hits. Listeners should keep their ears open for Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris, Indie-pop band Lucius, Maren Morris, Stevie Nicks, and guitarist Waddy Wachtel as they make cameo appearances throughout the record. Live from the Ryman & More is a sturdy live record, and it beautifully showcases Sheryl Crow’s legacy in the music world. A-
Tracks to Download: “All I Wanna Do,” “Tell Me When It’s Over,” “Prove Me Wrong,” “Strong Enough,” & “Beware of Darkness.”
“Visiting Hours” by Ed Sheeran
Four-time Grammy-winning recording artist Ed Sheeran announced that he will drop his fifth studio album, =, on October 29. He dropped the second single, “Visiting Hours,” on August 20. The “Shape of You” singer-songwriter co-wrote the track with Amy Wadge, Anthony Clemons, Kim Lang Smith, Michael Pollack, Scott Carter, and Johnny McDaid (who also co-produced this song). “Visiting Hours” reminds me of why the world fell in love with Ed Sheeran. The lyrics tug at listeners’ heartstrings, and the arrangements gave me chills. I hope that = continues to build on the “Lego House” performer’s legacy. A
“Rumors” by Lizzo featuring Cardi B
Over the past several years, Lizzo and Cardi B have conquered the music world. For the first time, the two powerhouses came together for one epic track. Ricky Reed (who also produced the track), Nate Mercerau, Steven Cheung, Theron Thomas, and Torah Carr helped the women co-write the song. “Rumors” remind me a lot of Beyonce and Shakira’s “Beautiful Liar” and Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera’s “Do What U Want.” “Rumors” is a catchy song, and I hope that these two ladies collaborate again soon. A-
“A Little Space” by Pentatonix featuring Ateez
Pentatonix teamed up with Yunho, San, and Jongho of K-pop group Ateez. First, I must give Pentatonix a lot of kudos for introducing their fanbase to Ateez. It showcases the group’s efforts to introduce its audience to artists to watch. I thought “A Little Space” was a great blend between English and Korean. Also, the collaboration showcases the best of both Acapella and K-pop music genres. Well done! B+
Head to the second page to check out this edition of Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch!
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