By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the latest edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! We got a lot of music to unpack, so let’s get this party started.
XOXO by CNCO
Pop Latino boyband CNCO (Richard Camacho, Erick Brian Colón, Zabdiel De Jesús, and Christopher Vélez) released their new fourth studio album: XOXO. The album is the first record without Joel Pimentel, who departed from the group last year. Also, XOXO is the final record before the group disbands. Throughout the 11 songs, CNCO and company blends Reggaeton and Pop Latino brilliantly, which will make fans dance. Despite including one dud song, “No Apagues la Luz,” CNCO delivered a superb farewell album. B
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Malvada,” “Miami,” “La Duda,” & “Toa la Noche.”
God Did by DJ Khaled
DJ Khaled has outdone himself again. The We the Best Music Group founder recruited 30(!) guest collaborators sprinkled throughout his thirteenth studio album: God Did. The main event on this album must be “USE THIS GOSPEL (Remix),” featuring Eminem and Kayne West on one of the most explosive rap songs this year. However, the problem I experienced throughout the record was that only a few other tracks intrigued me, including Quavo and Takeoff’s “PARTY,” Latto and City Girls’ “Bills Paid,” and Future and SZA’S “BEAUTIFUL.” Everything else bored me. C-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “USE THIS GOSPEL (Remix),” “PARTY,” & “BEAUTIFUL.”
“Tears in Heaven” by Collabro
Collabro released its third single off its upcoming farewell album: Be Still My Soul. The Britain’s Got Talent winners tackled Eric Clapton’s iconic anthem: “Tears in Heaven.” Matt, Michael, Jamie, and Thomas once again showcased that the quartet could compete with the likes of Pentatonix and Home Free with their masterful harmonies. The cover gave me chills and showcased why their departure would leave a massive hole in the music market. A
Artists to Watch:
Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are the the recording artists that you need to keep your eyes on as they could shake up the music industry.
“Don’t Take It Personally” by the Academic
Irish band the Academic kicks off this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews. When I first listened to “Don’t Take It Personally,” I was impressed with vocalist Craig Fitzgerald’s swagger and the group’s superb guitar arrangement. I cannot wait to hear their next song! A-
“Run” by the Dryas
Brighton, England-based band the Dyras is made up of Hudd Hunter-Smith, Luke Cowie, and Connor Tagg. “Run” is a synth-pop rock anthem that has the potential to launch the trio’s careers in the international music market. B+
“Don’t Say No” by Maddisun
British Columbia-based singer-songwriter Maddisun (Maddison Keiver) is an authentic, visceral, and magnetic artist that blends musical genres that create fantastic music. Her latest single, “Don’t Say No,” is a breath of fresh air as it uplifts listeners’ spirits. I hope that Maddisun has a chance to come to the United States because she will find a massive audience waiting for her superb music. A-
“Bunny” by Sofie Dossi
It is hard to believe that Sofie Dossi made her AGT debut six years ago! Now, the social media star is entering the music realm. Her first single, “Bunny,” grabs listeners’ attention immediately thanks to its superb production and catchy chorus. “Bunny” is a strong debut, and I look forward to seeing what Sofie does with her music venture. A
“other side” by VeeAlwaysHere
Los Angeles-based producer, recording artist, and songwriter VeeAlwaysHere rounds out this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews. “Other side” is a smooth, hypnotic track that would fit on any party or workout playlist. I loved that he took listeners on a roller coaster ride that ended with them dancing. We need to keep an eye on VeeAlwaysHere because he has the potential to be one of the top music producers in the industry. A+
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