By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Happy New Music Friday, everyone!
We got a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s get the party started.
SUBJECT TO CHANGE by Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini released her fourth studio album: SUBJECT TO CHANGE. The “Peter Pan” singer-songwriter takes a page out of several of her contemporaries’ books and heads into the country-pop music genre with this record. Ms. Ballerini teamed up with an all-star group of collaborators such as Alyssa Vanderheym, Ashley Gorley, Cary Barlowe, Jesse Frasure, Jimmy Robbins, Karen Fairchild, Sasha Alex Sloan, and Shane McNally to co-write the track. Meanwhile, McNally and Julian Bunetta assisted “The Other Girl” performer with co-producing the album. Also, keep an ear out for Kelly Clarkson and Carly Pearce, who join Ms. Ballerini on “You’re Drunk, Go Home.” SUBJECT TO CHANGE could be Ms. Ballerini’s Red and Play On. Just as those albums did for their respective recording artists as they burst into the Top 40. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “The Little Things,” “I Can’t Help Myself,” “Muscle Memory,” “I Guess They Call It Fallin,” “Weather,” & “You’re Drunk, Go Home.”
Mr. Sun by Little Big Town
Little Big Town dropped its tenth studio album: Mr. Sun. The album coincides with the twentieth anniversary of their debut self-titled record’s release. While the quartet (Karen Fairchild, Kimberley Schlapman, Philip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook) played a significant role in crafting the album’s tunes, songwriters Audra Mae, Hillary Lindsey, Jesse Frasure, Josh Osborne, and Shane McAnally assisted with the songwriting duties. Mr. Sun is a little clunky as the album has strong up-tempo tracks, while except for “God Fearing Gypsies,” the ballads are boring and should have been left on the cutting room floor. B-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “All Summer,” “Better Love,” “Hell Yeah,” “Gold,” & “God Fearing Gypsies.”
5SOS5 by 5 Seconds of Summer
It is hard to believe that Australia’s top pop punk band, 5 Seconds of Summer, dropped their fifth studio album. Luke Hemmings, Ashton Irwin, Calum Hood, and Michael Clifford crafted some of their most mature songs. The guitarist (Clifford) did a superb job co-producing 63 percent of the album with assistance from Jason Evigan, Jon Bellion, Colin Brittain, and John Feldmann. Brittain, Bellion, Evigan, Feldmann, Sara Aarons, Rami Yacoub, and Sierra Deaton helped 5 Seconds of Summer delivered their personal Joshua Tree. Well done, 5SOS!!! A-
Tracks to Download: “Complete Mess,” “Me Myself & I,” “Take My Hand (Joshua Tree Version),” “CAROUSEL,” “HAZE” & “You Don’t Go to Parties.”
“I Don’t Think That I Like Her” by Charlie Puth featuring Travis Barker
Charlie Puth released his fifth single off his upcoming third studio album: Charlie. “I Don’t Think That I Like Her” features a team-up between the “We Don’t Talk Anymore” singer-songwriter and drummer-producer extraordinaire Travis Barker. The tune’s catchy chorus and pop-punk edges will make Charlie Puth fans nod their heads with delight! B+
“Sweet Symphony” by Joy Oladokun featuring Chris Stapleton
One of country music’s top up-and-coming artists (Joy Oladokun) teamed up with the industry’s best singer-songwriters (Chris Stapleton). Oladokun co-wrote “Sweet Symphony” with Ian Fitchuk and Shae Jacobs, which features the “Tennessee Whiskey” singer-songwriter. Their vocals blended terrifically and will give listeners a strong case of goosebumps. A+
“Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras
Grammy-winning and Oscar-winning performer Sam Smith is getting naughty! The “Writing’s on the Wall” singer-songwriter teamed up with Kim Petras, Ilya, Cirkut, Omer Fedi, and longtime collaborator Jimmy Napes for “Unholy.” The hyperpop two-minute and 37-second track has shades of Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s “Industry Baby” and is completely addictive. That said, “DO NOT PLAY THIS SONG AROUND ANY CHILDREN,” and if it appears on your phone (while they are around), Jake’s Take highly advises that you skip it. B
Artists to Watch:
Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are some of the recording artists that have the potential to take the music world by storm!
“We Will Endure the Long Nights” by Atticus Dean
Actor-musician Atticus Dean is preparing to release Plot Armor, a new album of original piano music in the contemporary classical genre. “We Will Endure the Long Nights” is the album’s latest single. The orchestration is gorgeous, and the track perfectly fits into a Nolan or MCU film. I am looking forward to seeing more of Atticus’s artistry! A-
“THAT GIRL” by Bree Runway
East London rapper Bree Runway kicks off this edition of Artists to Watch! Her latest single, “THAT GIRL,” features explosive beats by the rapper as she transports listeners to her fashion show. I genuinely believe that we will see Bree Runway dominate the music industry for years. A
“tooth fairy” by Mae Krell
New York-based singer-songwriter Mae Krell released a beautiful song called “tooth fairy.” This heart-wrenching song focuses on the realization of letting go of a formerly irreplaceable lover or friend. The song’s production and lyrics will leave listeners in a trance. B+
“Mars” by Scott Hoying
Pentatonix and Superfruit member Scott Hoying dropped a solo song for the first time in his music career. “Mars” is a beautiful song that Hoying wrote himself, and Jon Levine produced it. The track brilliantly captures Scott’s voice and reminds me of the first time I heard David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” A-
“If It Kills Me” by Zach Day
Zach Day rounds out this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews!
The folk-pop singer-songwriter teamed up with Canadian chart-topping producer Alex ‘Pilzbury’ Vujic and JUNO award-winning mixer Jason Dufour for “If It Kills Me.” This song features amazing lyrics and excellently incorporates doo-wop! Well done, Zach! A+
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