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
It’s the final October 2023 edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews! We got a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s start this party!
1989 is the fourth Taylor Swift album to get the Taylor’s Version treatment. (Album cover property of Republic Records)
1989 (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift
1989 was a game-changing album for Taylor Swift. The 2014 album marked the first time the “Style” singer-songwriter released a full pop music album. Throughout the 2020s, Taylor Swift re-recorded her albums after longtime foe Scooter Braun purchased the masters of her first six albums. 1989 is the fourth album that received the Taylor’s Version treatment. She reunited with her 1989 production team Shellback, Jack Antonoff, Ryan Tedder, Imogen Heap, Noel Zancanella, and Taylor’s Version veteran producer Christopher Rowe for the production process. This edition of “From the Vault” features several Swift and Antonoff collaborations, such as “Slut!” and “Suburban Legends,” as well as the Diane Warren team-up of “Say Don’t Go.” 1989 (Taylor’s Version) enhances her 2014 classic that not only satisfies longtime Swifties but introduces a new generation to her magic. A
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version),” “Welcome to New York (Taylor’s Version),” “Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version),” “Blank Space (Taylor’s Version),” “Out of the Woods (Taylor’s Version),” & “Say Don’t Go (Taylor’s Version) [From the Vault].”
“Fences” by Carleton Stone
Jake’s Take friend Carleton Stone released a new song: “Fences.” The song tackles how we put walls up as we get burned by our lovers. “Fences” is a superb song that will inspire listeners to take the lessons they learned from that relationship forward into future relationships to be better partners. B+
“Wrecking Ball” by Dolly Parton featuring Miley Cyrus
The Queen of Country Music reunited with her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, to tackle the former Voice coach’s 2013 monster hit: “Wrecking Ball.” This cover is pure bliss, and I loved how a bit of “I Will Always Love You” was woven into the song. This version of “Wrecking Ball” is the perfect addition to Dolly’s upcoming Rockstar album. A+
“Daydreaming” by Marshmello, P!nk & Sting
People Magazine reported that P!nk teamed up with Marshmello and Sting for a new song, “Dreaming,” on the TRUSTFALL – Tour Deluxe Edition of her previously released studio album. On paper, I was concerned about how this song would sound as P!nk typically occupies the pop rock lane, Sting focuses on rock, and Marshmello is an EDM King. “Daydreaming” is a superb track that, while it samples Sting’s “Fields of Gold,” the tune will lift music lovers’ spirits. B+
Artists to Watch:
Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch highlights recording artists and bands that are ready to shake up music world! Here is this edition’s picks:
Healing Power by Terra Lightfoot
Hamilton, Ontario, guitarist, singer & songwriter Terra Lightfoot received Juno and Polaris Award nominations for her work. Now, she dropped Healing Power. As music lovers listen to Healing Power, they will be enchanted by Terra’s guitar licks and classic rock-esque vibes that are needed in an auto-tune world. A
Tracks to Download or Stream: “Cross Border Lovers,” “Need You Tonight,” “Long Way Down,” “The Only One of Your Kind,” & “Come Back Around.”
“Rattlesnake” by AJ Penta
New Jersey native AJ Penta is known as the East Coast Cowboy. This country rock musician, who played guitar for Demi Lovato and Luis Fonsi, released a fiery single: “Rattlesnake.” The guitar licks are out of this world, and his sound would satisfy Orville Peck, Poison, and the Zac Brown Band fans. I cannot wait to hear more music from AJ in the future. B+
“The Light” by Dessy Di Lauro
Montreal native turned Los Angeles transplant Dessy Di Lauro released her latest single: “The Light.” Besides Dessy’s gorgeous voice, one thing that I loved about this song was how Dessy and her production partner, Kasey Phillips, focused the music on the acoustic guitar. The guitar perfectly blends with Dessy’s hypnotic voice and elevates the powerful lyrics. A-
“Color Blind” by FKB
Juno Award-nominated songwriter Drew Shalka, lead guitarist Travis Topylki, rhythm guitarist Alex Fedorouk, and drummer Derek Chalut make up four-piece indie pop music band FKB. “Color Blind” is a spectacular bop from start to finish that will remind anyone who grew up in the 2000s of the 2010-12 dance-pop crazes. I cannot wait to hear their next single! B/B+
“Skinny & Blonde” by Lauren Marcus
Actress and singer Lauren Marcus has entertained audiences across the United States with her appearances on Broadway’s Be More Chill and regional versions of Little Shop of Horrors and Hello, Dolly! Recently, she dropped “Skinny and Blonde” and it reminds me so much of the classic 1950s bubblegum pop era. Listeners will be toe-tapping and grooving with delight to this delicious piece of ear candy. A-
“Time will Tell” by Sekou
UK-based recording artist Sekou wraps up the final October 2023 edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews. Inspired by Chaka Khan and the late Michael Jackson and Prince, Sekou’s sound already won over recording artists and producers Anderson.Paak, Fred Again, and music tastemakers such as Apple Music, BBC Radio 1, and Spotify. Sekou’s latest single, “Time Will Tell,” showcases his powerful velvet vocals as the tune tackles his insecurities with love. Sekou’s superb artistry will make a splash in North America. B+
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