(Album cover property of RCA Records/Sony Music)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the very first Jake’s Take: New Music Reviews of the fourth and final quarter of 2017!
This edition of New Music Reviews pays homage to strong and powerful female artists that are shaking up the music industry with their impeccable voices, spunky personalities, and undeniable talent. Also, we also welcome back an old friend of the blog who has released an outstanding new tune.
Without further ado, as P!nk would say: “Let’s get this party started!”
Beautiful Trauma by P!nk
It has been five long years since P!nk’s last solo studio album! Her fans have been waiting very patiently for the latest winner of MTV’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award to release new material. Beautiful Trauma features tracks that co-written and produced by veteran P!nk collaborators such as Billy Mann, Greg Kurstin, Max Martin, and Shellback. Also, newcomers to the Pink world including Jack Antonoff, Ross Golan, and Johnny McDaid make their mark with excellent tracks like the title track and “What About Us.” Also, keep an ear out for Eminem, who joins P!nk on the scorching Max Martin-penned “Revenge.” Beautiful Trauma beautifully captures the emotional spectrum from despair (“Barbies”) and heartbreak (“But We Lost It”) to hope for the future (“Where We Go” & “I Am Here”). I honestly believe that Beautiful Trauma is not only this year’s brilliant albums, but also sets the standard for pop music hopefuls who hope to conquer the music industry. You rock, P!nk! A+
Tracks to Download: “Beautiful Trauma,” “Whatever You Need,” “What About Us,” “But We Lost It,” “Revenge,” “I Am Here,” & “For Now.”
(Cover album property of RCA Records)
Younger Now by Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus is entering the best stage of her career. After a scattered Bangerz studio album and her outrageous experimental Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, The Voice coach has found her groove with Younger Now. The most significant difference between all three albums is the quality of the production! The past two albums had way too many star-powered producers such as Dr. Luke, Mike Will Made It, will.i.am, and the Flaming Lips pulling her in all different types of directions. The superb Oren Yoel assisted Ms. Cyrus in keeping her vision together for this fantastic album, which has incredible content. Also, keep an ear out for Ms. Cyrus’ godmother and friend to the blog, Dolly Parton, who lends her astonishing voice and superb musical advice in “Rainbowland.” Younger Now not only delivers honest vocals from Ms. Cyrus but also puts her back in the good graces with her fan base. B+
Tracks to Download: “Younger Now,” “Malibu,” “Rainbowland,” & “Thinkin’.”
(Album cover property of Rock Soul, Inc. & Concord Music Group)
Christmas After Midnight by Fantasia
The American Idol winner is bringing the holiday cheer! Christmas After Midnight is Fantasia’s first holiday album which features her soulful takes on some of the holiday’s most memorable tunes. In addition to a divine interpretation of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” with CeeLo Green, Fantasia took the late Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” to church and transformed it into a gospel and Jazz tune. While I may not commemorate Christmas, Fantasia’s Christmas After Midnight is a deep piece of ear candy that will make your holiday season brighter. B
Tracks to Download: “Hallelujah,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” “Merry Christmas, Baby,” & “This Christmas.”
You Make Me Feel Like Christmas by Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani is another artist that is celebrating Christmas this year. The Southern California pop-rock goddess is taking her fan base on a trip to the North Pole to celebrate the holidays. What makes You Make Me Feel Like Christmas stand out against the many holiday albums that will be released this year is that Ms. Stefani co-wrote six different songs with Justin Tranter, Busbee, and of course…Blake Shelton. These original tracks would satisfy the Christmas fans in your life and should be a stocking stuffer at your holiday parties. A-
Tracks to Download: “My Gift is You,” “Last Christmas,” “You Make It Feel Like Christmas,” “Under the Christmas Lights,” & “Santa Baby.”
“Help Me Out” by Maroon 5 & Julia Michaels
Maroon 5 is venturing into new waters as the pop-rock band is preparing to release its sixth studio album: Red Pill Blues. Their first promotional single off of this album is their collaboration with 2017 breakout artist Julia Michaels. Both Adam Levine and Julia Michaels co-penned this track with Michaels’ longtime collaborator, Justin Tranter, and Diplo, who also produced this record. Both Mr. Levine and Ms. Michaels are strong vocally, but I admit that it will take listeners a while to adjust to the backing music. B
(Album cover property of Clark Beckham)
“I Need” by Clark Beckham
I am so happy that friend to the blog, Clark Beckham, has released new music! His latest single, “I Need,” is a spectacular five-minute song that features some of Clark’s best vocal work to date! Also, members of John Mayer’s band: drummer Steve Jordan (who also produced this track), bassist Pino Palladino, and guitarist Isaiah Sharkey, joined Clark in the recording process. In addition to Clark’s outstanding vocals, keep an ear out for an epic horn arrangement from both Jerry Hey and Keyon Harrold. This exceptional song needs to be played on the radio because people need to hear Clark’s excellent artistry! A+
Rising Artists Section
Jake’s Take has always been one of the premiere blogs for new and emerging artists! Here are some of the artists that you should add to your library.
The Journey Vol. 1 by 5J Barrow
New York City-based band 5J Barrow kicks off this edition of Rising Artists! The folk-rock band is fronted by Broadway veterans Eryn Murman and Jason Hite. Voted “The Best Band in NYC” by WNYC listeners during the radio station’s 2014 Battle of the Boroughs, 5J Barrow is about to change folk rock with their impeccable sound. Backed by bassist Drew Jones and drummer Gerard Canonico, Murman and Hite’s vocals beautifully blend well together in the band’s latest EP: The Journey Vol. 1. 5J Barrow’s EP showcases why this band is destined to break out of the east coast and play a role in shaping the next generation of folk rockers. A-
Tracks to Download: “Seagreen Dress,” “A New Begin,” “Sarah Brown,” & “Lullaby.”
Beyond.Desire by Dead Leaf Echo
Another Big Apple band that you should keep an eye on is Dead Leaf Echo. This nouveau wave quartet is made up of LG (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Ana B. (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), drummer Kevin K, and bassist Steve S. Normally, I am not a fan of jam bands, but something is intriguing about Dead Leaf Echo. Their strong sound can keep the music lovers’ interests, and you can get lost in it. Beyond.Desire showcases that this band is ready to tackle the music industry by the horns and bring this unique musical genre to the forefront of the music industry. B+/A-
Tracks to Download: “Desire,” “Strawberry Skin,” “Tear.the.Heart.in.Two.” & “Beyond.Desire.”
(Album cover property of Effective Immediately PR)
“With You” by Melody Reyne
LA based R&B singer Melody Reyne is the next artist on this list! Her single, “With You,” is an infectious R&B/Soul anthem that is a very pleasant piece of ear candy. It also shows us what fans can expect from Ms. Reyne when her upcoming EP, LIBERATION, drops…just incredible R&B/Soul. I predict that we are going to hear great things about Ms. Reyne in the future. B+
(Album cover art property of Rebel Union Entertainment)
“RIDE” by Warbly Jets
Los Angeles alternative rock band Warbly Jets concludes this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews. Warbly Jets’ line-up consists of vocalist and guitarist Samuel Shea, bassist Dan Gerbang, synths and guitarist Julien O’Neill, and drummer Justin Goings. Their bombastic sound will knock you out of your seat! “RIDE” is a three-minute and 25-second song that would be the dream roller coaster ride track. This is the rock band to watch! A
I do not own any of the clips that are featured in this article. The clips belong to the artists and their respective record labels.
[…] 2017, P!nk released her best album of the decade, Beautiful Trauma. The record featured superbly crafted tracks such as “What About Us,” “Whatever You Want,” […]