By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the second 2023 edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! We got a lot of music to unpack, so let’s get this party started!
The Mockingbird & THE CROW by HARDY
Singer-songwriter HARDY released his first double album: The Mockingbird & THE CROW. Country Now reported that the album’s music genre is split between country and rock. The album proves why HARDY is one of our generation’s hardest-working recording artists. A strong majority of the songs are very relatable to music fans and could easily have a similar path that longtime collaborator and “Red” featured artist Morgan Wallen had with Dangerous. B+
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Red,” “Wait in the truck,” “Drink one for me,” “here lies country music,” & “JACK.”
“Big Boys Club” by Brian Falduto
I love hearing new music from Jake’s Take friend Brian Falduto! “Big Boys Club” deals with the anxiety of dating in the LGBTQIA+ world. Brian’s husky baritone, country rock guitars, and superb lyrics put a smile on my face. “Big Boys Club” is a home run, Brian! A-
“Gonna Be You” by Dolly Parton, Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan & Debbie Harry
Six of music’s most iconic women came together to record a song for the 80 For Brady Soundtrack. The Oscar-winning songwriter Diane Warren recruited Dolly Parton, Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan, and Debbie Harry for “Gonna Be You.” I got instant chills from listening to this track showcasing friendship’s true power! Well done, ladies! A+
“Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus is releasing new music for the first time in three years! “Flowers” is the first single off her eighth studio album: Endless Summer Vacation. The former Voice coach co-wrote the song with Gregory Aldae Hein and Michael Pollack, while Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson co-produced it. There are shades of both Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man” and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” in the song, plus the track also hints about her roller-coaster relationship with actor Liam Hemsworth. “Flowers” has the potential of being one of 2023’s top motivational songs. I am looking forward to hearing the rest of the album. A-
“Baby Don’t Cry” by Philmon Lee featuring Young Thug
Epic Records-signed recording artist and vocal dynamo Philmon Lee teamed up with rapper Young Thug for “Baby Don’t Cry.” The combination of Philmon’s falsetto with a head-nodding guitar riff and finger-snap beats, along with Young Thug’s rap solo, makes “Baby Don’t Cry” a tasty piece of ear candy. B+
Artists to Watch:
Welcome to the second edition of Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch of 2023! Here are some of the recording artists that have the potential to shake up the music industry:
Mean Something by Filmore
One country music artist that got onto my radar is Filmore. I saw that he liked some of my Instagram stories, so I decided to return the favor and visit his social media. I immediately found his album, Mean Something. I am so glad that I did. This 11-track record blew me away. Filmore is a superb storyteller. I got chills from “Leave Me A Memory,” while bobbing along to “Falling Out of Love” and “USA,” a country crossover track featuring Pitbull. Mean Something is going to be one album that I will keeping coming back to as 2023 advances. Bravo, Filmore! A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Leave Me A Memory,” “Falling Out of Love,” “USA,” & “If That Ain’t Country.”
“Slow Down” by the Backseat Lovers
Joshua Harmon, Jonas Swanson, KJ Ward, and Juice Welch formed the Backseat Lovers in high school. Following graduation, the group’s music amassed over 370 million combined global streams. Their latest single, “Slow Down,” is from their upcoming record: Waiting to Spill. The group’s guitar licks reminded me of a blend of Alabama Shakes and the Mowgli’s early sound. “Slow Down” will send listeners into a trance. A-
“Alright” by Charlotte Sands
Nashville-based recording artist Charlotte Sands is building a fanbase in the pop-punk music world. From opening for Yungblud and My Chemical Romance to touring with PVRIS and Maggie Lindemann in Europe, Charlotte Sands is turning out to be one of Generation Z’s rising stars. Her latest single, “Alright,” is a powerful anthemic track that deals with angst, anxiety, and alienation. “Alright” has the potential to be one of 2023’s standout songs and could become a signature song for Ms. Sands. B+/A-
“All for Nothing” by Chin Injeti
Music industry veteran Chin Injeti won three Grammys and two JUNO Awards. He also worked and performed with A Tribe Called Quest, the Fugees, and the Roots. Now, he released a new single: “All for Nothing.” I was impressed with the guitar licks and the hypnotic beats that populated the song, and I loved his vocals. I am looking forward to hearing more music from Chin in the future! B+
“Mercy” by Rebecca Folsom
Boulder, Colorado native and singer-songwriter/poet Rebecca Folsom rounds out this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! She released the first powerful song of 2023. Produced by three-time Grammy-winning producer Tom Wasinger and six-time Grammy-winning producer Shaun Martin, “Mercy” is an intimate and emotional ballad that she wrote about homelessness and how it affected her family. The song is haunting and tugs at the listeners’ heartstrings. Bravo, Rebecca! A+
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