By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the latest edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving and are having a great time shopping on Black Friday. While you are waiting in line, here are some of my hottest takes on the latest music from our favorite recording artists.
Everyday Life by Coldplay
Coldplay released their latest studio album in four years. However, Everyday Life is a double record. The two parts are aptly called Sunrise and Sunset. Everyday Life is an emotional roller coaster ride from start to finish. For their eighth studio album, the band (Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion) played a massive role with the songwriting process as they co-wrote with Jacob Collier, Max Martin, Rik Simpson, and Stargate. Everyday Life does contain some of Coldplay’s best music of this decade. From the haunting “Daddy” to the Max Martin-produced “Orphans,” this album will not disappoint longtime fans. A-
Tracks to Download: “Church,” “Daddy,” “Arabesque,” “Orphans,” & “Everyday Life.”
An Intimate Evening by David Foster
Legendary music producer David Foster released his latest live album for the first time in eight years. While it follows the same theme as his previous live albums: 2008’s Hit Man: David Foster & Friends and 2010’s Hit Man Returns: David Foster & Friends, there are few differences. In his past two records, he invited legends such as Seal, Michael Bolton, and the late Donna Summer for impeccable collaborations. An Intimate Evening features vocalists including American Idol alums Katharine McPhee Foster and Pia Toscano, America’s Got Talent alum tenor Fernando Varela, The Voice’s Loren Allred, and newcomer Sheléa. The album showcases Foster’s impeccable arrangements and these artists’ phenomenal voices. B+
Tracks to Download: “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion),” “Never Enough,” “Tell Him,” & “The Prayer.”
“Unstoppable” by AJ Mitchell
Jake’s Take friend AJ Mitchell released his latest single: “Unstoppable.” This song definitely showcases why he could be 2019’s breakout artist. The track has a catchy chorus and the production quality of “Unstoppable” is phenomenal and the song has the potential to be a Top 40 favorite! A-
“Not My Problem” by Drew Six
It has been a minute since a longtime friend of Jake’s Take, Drew Six, released new solo music. “Not My Problem” is a country-rock banger that is a line-dancing party track that deserves to be played on country music radios nationwide. With impeccable lyrics and superb call-and-response sprinkled throughout the song, “Not My Problem” showcases Drew’s superb abilities as a storyteller that the country music industry seriously needs. A-
“Fall On Me” by A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera
Six years ago, I won tickets for the 2013 American Music Awards at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theatre. My cousin, Mike, and I watched when A Great Big World (Ian Axel and Chad King) and Christina Aguilera performed their powerful collaboration: “Say Something.” Now, the trio reunited for another collaboration: “Fall On Me.” This tune sets up A Great Big World’s upcoming 2020 album and it is one of 2019’s last great songs. Christina’s vocal tone takes the track to a whole another level of excellence. While the track did not make the 2020 Grammys cut, I truly hope that this track can enter the conversation when it comes time for the 2021 Grammy Awards. A+
“Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd
The Weeknd is back! The Grammy-winning recording artist released a new single: “Blinding Lights.” He co-wrote the track with Belly and DaHeala, while Max Martin and Oscar Holter assisted “The Hills” songwriter with the production process. “Blinding Lights” is definitely a toe-tapping and dancing in your seat song. If this song is any indication, then the Weeknd’s upcoming 2020 studio album would be full of impeccable beats. B+
I do not own any of the music clips that are featured in this article. They belong to the artists and their respective record labels.
