Welcome to the latest installment of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! (Bitmoji property of Jake’s Take)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the first Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews for the second half of 2023.
We got a lot of music to unpack, so let’s get this party started.
Big Freedia’s Central City, their first album in nine years, will motivate listeners! (Album cover property of Queen Diva Music)
Central City by Big Freedia
Big Freedia dropped their first studio album in nine years! Since the release of 2014’s Just Be Free, Big Freedia has become integral to the Bounce music scene as they worked with Beyonce, Drake, Kesha, and Lizzo. They have also been counting New Orleans into the new year as part of Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve with Ryan Seacrest. Central City features an all-star group of featured artists, including fellow Rockin’ New Year’s Eve co-star Ciara, Faith Evans, Kelly Price, and Lil Wayne. The record will motivate listeners through brilliantly produced tracks showcasing Big Freedia’s signature bombastic attitude and impeccable rapping style. B+
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Central City Freestyle,” “Throw It Back,” “Motivate Ya,” “$100 Bill,” & “Booty Like A Drummer.”
The Algorithm by WOWASHWOW
Jake’s Take Artist to Watch WOWASHWOW recently visited the podcast to preview her upcoming album: The Algorithm. She wrote the entire album and co-produced it with Sam J. Garfield. I was thoroughly impressed with WOWASHWOW’s vision and how she executed it, and because of this, The Algorithm is one of 2023’s best hip-hop and rap albums. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “THIS IS NOT A FREESTYLE,” “Chris Rock,” “I Bet You Think This Rap is About You,” “Wow Woah,”& “Pure Imagination.”
“Ascendit” by Barbara Padilla
One of my all-time favorite opera singers, Barbara Padilla, released a new song. “Ascendit.” With the help of collaborator Arnfield Culdal, the legendary America’s Got Talent runner-up arranged one of the most beautiful arias I have ever heard. Based on Psalm 46:6 (Vulgate), “Ascendit” showcases the “Time to Say Goodbye” vocalist’s enchanting voice that will leave listeners in awe. A+
“We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Fall Out Boy
Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” is one of my all-time favorite songs (and go-to Karaoke track). When my brother, Aaron, let me know that Fall Out Boy did a cover of Billy Joel’s iconic classic and added it to reflect the political and pop culture events from the past 34 years, I was very intrigued. While I am disappointed that the band omitted certain events and people, such as Monicagate, #MeToo, Susan Lucci’s legendary Emmy win, Titanic, and Whitney Houston’s death, Fall Out Boy did an impeccable job with the sequel. A-
“Parallel” by Scott Hoying
Scott Hoying is releasing a solo seven extended play on July 28! “Parallel” is one of the tunes that will be on the EP. Produced by Jon Levine, “Parallel” is an excellent follow-up to last year’s single: “Mars.” It is a great song, and “Parallel” allows Scott’s vocals to flex musical muscles he might not often use when with his Grammy-winning group Pentatonix. B+
“Hey Whiskey” by Tim McGraw
Actor-singer Tim McGraw is releasing his sixteenth solo album, Standing Room Only, on August 25. “Hey Whiskey,” written by Brad Hutsell, Joel Hutsell, and the Warren Brothers, is a dull single. It does not tug at the heartstrings like “Live Like You Were Dying” or melt listeners to tears such as “If You’re Reading This.” It is one of the weaker country music tracks I heard this year, and I expected Tim McGraw to do better. D
Artists to Watch:
Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch focuses on recording artists who are ready to rock the music industry!
“Won’t Be Scared” by Aleksi Campagne
Montreal-based fiddler and singer Aleksi Campagne wrote one of the most beautiful songs I have heard in 2023! With his fiddle and voice, “Won’t Be Scared” transports listeners back to simpler times while wrapping a warm blanket around them. I guarantee that listeners will get a strong case of goosebumps and will uplift them in trialing times. A+
“Can’t Get Over Us (Unplugged)” by MAYCE
Flo Rida discovered Tampa, Florida native MAYCE, and since their meeting, she gained over 1 million YouTube subscribers for her takes on some of today’s top songs. Recently, she released an unplugged version of her 2020 single: “Can’t Get Over Us.” The piano-backed single showcases MAYCE’s powerful vocals, reminding me of a mash-up of Ariana Grande and Leona Lewis. I cannot wait to see what she does next. B+
“A Little Bit Happy” by TALK
Platinum recording artist TALK rounds out this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! The Toronto, Ontario native released a new single off his upcoming album. Produced by music legend Justin Tranter, “A Little Bit Happy” is a haunting song that could be this generation’s “Losing My Religion.” Combining a backing choir, acoustic guitars, and TALK’s voice makes “A Little Bit Happy” one of 2023’s best songs. A
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