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 final 2023 edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! We got a lot of new music to unpack, so for the final time this year…LET’s START THIS PARTY!
Dove Cameron’s Alchemical: Volume One showcases her potential to be a global superstar. (Album cover property of Columbia Records & Disruptor Records)
Alchemical: Volume 1 by Dove Cameron
Thanks to Disney’s Descendants, Hairspray: Live, and Liv & Maddie, Dove Cameron has become a household name. The actress and singer dropped her debut album, Alchemical: Volume 1. In an American Songwriter interview, Dove spoke about translating all the traumatic experiences into song. The eight-track album features tracks that could combine Christina Aguilera’s Bionic mixed with Lana Del Rey’s Lust for Life. Alchemical, Vol. 1 showcases that the “Mal” and “Amber von Tussle” actress has left her past behind and is preparing to be a global superstar. B+
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Lethal Woman,” “Still,” “Sand,” & “FRAGILE THINGS.”
Zara Larsson celebrated the holidays with Honor the Light. (Album cover property of Sony Music Entertainment)
Honor the Light – EP by Zara Larsson
Swedish superstar Zara Larsson released her first-holiday record, Honor the Light. The EP features a combination of Swedish and traditional holiday tunes and its only original track: “Memory Lane.” Honor the Light is a spectacular extended play that has the potential to be in many holiday music playlists for years to come. A-
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Memory Lane,” “Winter Song,” “Silent Night,” “Sankta Lucia,” & “Light A Candle.”
“My House” by Beyoncé
Beyoncé has had a spectacular 2023 thanks to the successful Renaissance World Tour and its film adaptation, which was filmed in my hometown of Kansas City, and its documentary concert film: Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé. Moviegoers got the chance to hear Queen Bey’s latest song: “My House.” The “Break My Soul” performer teamed up with The-Dream for “My House.” The song combines trap beats, horns, and rap into an irresistible jam. A-
“Crazy” by Il Divo
People reported that operatic pop quartet Il Divo is celebrating its twentieth anniversary with a new album, XX, and a new member, singer Steven LaBrie, who replaced the late Carlos Marín, who passed away from COVID-19. The album’s first single, “Crazy,” is a gorgeous reinterpretation of the Gnarls Barkley hit. Their harmonies gave me chills and proved why Il Divo remains one of the best vocal groups in the world. A
“Compton” by Palmer
Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s friend Robert Palmer Watkins released new music under his Palmer moniker. “Compton” is a superb R&B/Hip-Hop tune that reminds me of classic 2000s pop-R&B jams. This song is fabulous! A-
“Love” by Sheer Element x Kaylah Sharve’
Sheer Element’s newest incarnation, JEJ Vinson and Tabon Ward, released a new cover song! The pair teamed up with rising R&B vocalist Kaylah Sharve’ to tackle Keyshia Cole’s 2006 hit “Love.” The trio’s flawless harmonies will give listeners goosebumps and make Keyshia Cole and her co-writer Greg Curtis proud with their interpretation. A+
Artists to Watch:
For the final time this year, Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar highlights up-and-coming recording artists who are ready to shake up the music world!
Dillon Francis’s This Mixtape is Fire TOO is an amazing record that combines rising and established recording artists in the EDM world. (Album cover property of Universal Music Group)
This Mixtape is Fire TOO by Dillon Francis
Dillon Francis is becoming a rising name in the EDM world. The DJ and music producer released his second mixtape, This Mixtape is Fire TOO, which is the sequel to his 2015 Columbia album. The original had then-rising stars such as Calvin Harris, Kygo, and Skrillex, who have become household names. This 14-track record features a combination of established and rising artists that include Alesso, ILLENIUM, Marten Horger, REI AMI, and WILL K. This Mixtape is Fire TOO features a superb grouping of songs that could find themselves on various playlists in 2024. B+
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Can’t Stop Me Now,” “Rainy,” “On a Trip,” “I’m My Only Friend,” & “buttons!”
“Days Unchanged” by Asia Chow
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Asia Chow was raised on a steady diet of Mahler and 1970s rock music. Her debut single, “Days Unchanged,” features gorgeous instrumentation. Fans would love her beautiful voice, which would give them goosebumps. “Days Unchanged” is a spectacular first single, and I cannot wait to see how Asia Chow’s journey unfolds. A-
“After the Whiskey” by Camille Parker
Country music recording artist Camille Parker has gotten praise from several major music outlets, including Billboard and CMT. Her single, “After the Whiskey,” is a beautiful anthem that blends country music storytelling with a hint of pop and R&B. I think Camille Parker is one country music artist who has the potential to be one of 2024’s breakout stars! A
“Better Type” by Coco Quinn
Quadruple threat Coco Quinn has the distinguished pleasure of closing out the last 2023 Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews. The multi-talented dancer, singer, actress, and model has massive followings on Instagram (2M followers) and TikTok (5M followers)! Coco collaborated with Zach Sorgen (who worked with Ava Max, Charlie Puth, and Ryan Tedder) to co-write “Better Type.” This piano-powered ballard brilliantly showcased Coco’s haunting vocals, and this would be the perfect anthem for those who experienced a rough break-up with an ex-lover. A+
I want to thank everyone who has read Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews throughout 2023 and I am looking forward to continuing this in 2024!
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