By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the latest edition of New Music Releases!
This week, we have an all-star group of Jake’s Take favorites and Top 40 darlings. So without further ado, let’s get this party started!
Emily West’s instant classic “All For You” proves that good things come for those who wait! (Album cover property of Sony Masterworks)
All For You by Emily West
Last year, I became an immediate fan of songstress Emily West when she auditioned for America’s Got Talent: Season Nine. Each week, Emily’s vocals captivated the audience and her star-making performances earned her a spot in the Season Nine finale. After coming in second place, Ms. West signed a record deal with Sony Masterworks and began preparing her highly anticipated studio album. In all honesty, All For You was worth the wait! All For You is an instant classic! Emily and her production team perfectly balanced new material and covers of fan-favorite tracks such as “Nights in White Satin,” “Sea of Love” and “True Colors,” the duet with her mentor: Cyndi Lauper. Her vocal performance on this album was flawless and will give anyone goose bumps. I think I speak on behalf of fans when I state that we hope that Ms. West could travel the country with this album! Congratulations, Emily! All For You is my Album of the Week! A+
Tracks to Download: “Nights in White Satin,” “Without You,” “Bitter,” “Sea of Love,” “Chandelier” & “True Colors”
1 Hopeful Rd. by Vintage Trouble
Vintage Trouble first came onto my radar when they appeared on The View as their house band for Whoopi Goldberg’s birthday party in November 2014 and her comeback party after the EGOT icon recovered from her debilitating back injury this past January. I enjoyed their music and the energy that they brought to the show. The Los Angeles quartet delivered a sturdy debut album that would make their listeners get up and dance! Their superb artistry can be displayed throughout their album and I think that their musical influences and heroes would be extremely proud of them if they listened to this album. I also strongly believe that these guys are going to be the toast of the music industry. B+
Tracks to Download: “Run Like the River,” “Doin’ What You Were Doin’,” “Angel City, California” & “Strike Your Light”
Branden James’s “Crossover” is a strong EP that showcases not only his superb vocals, but also versatility as an artist. (Album courtesy of Branden James)
Crossover by Branden James
Another powerful vocalist that I fell in love with on America’s Got Talent is Branden James. The tenor’s powerful covers of “You Raise Me Up” and “Hallelujah” remain some of my favorite AGT performances of all-time. For his latest EP, Branden decided to explore different musical genres such as country, folk and Americana. His soul-stirring vocals will continue to not only move the listener, but also put a smile on their face. While you are listening, keep your ear out for “Why You Had to Change My World.” This track pays homage to Branden’s grandfather, Jimmy Smith, who was a contemporary of both Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Overall, you should definitely check out this EP! Bravo, Branden! A
Tracks to Download: “#YouBelong,” “Why You Had to Change My World,” “The Night,” “Where Are You Now” & “Another Chance”
Cry Baby by Melanie Martinez
The biggest question that Voice fans have been asking themselves since the show’s inception is: “Who is going to be our Kelly Clarkson? Carrie Underwood? Jennifer Hudson? Clay Aiken? Chris Daughtry?” While artists such as Dia Frampton, Chris Mann, Juliet Simms, Cassadee Pope, the Swon Brothers and Danielle Bradbery have found moderate success outside the show…. they have not found superstar success that the Idol alums have seen. One artist that might have a chance to have that success is Team Adam’s Melanie Martinez. Numerous media outlets have praised her debut album, Cry Baby, due to her unique hybrid of alternative and Artpop anthems. Melanie’s vocals will satisfy even the pickiness of music aficionados. The only minus about this album is that Melanie should have saved some tracks for her sophomore album. Otherwise, I hope that this album will finally give the NBC singing competition—the boost it needs to produce headlining stars. B
Tracks to Download: “Cry Baby,” “Soap,” “Tag, You’re It” & “Pity Party”
“Live Forever” by the Band Perry
Earlier today, The Band Perry debuted their latest single: “Live Forever” on Good Morning America. This single marks the Perry siblings’ first collaboration with super producer RedOne (Jason DeRulo, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Pitbull and Usher) and it is one impeccable country crossover and pop rock anthem. This is the song that I would love hearing at a Kansas City Royals or Chiefs home game and it would definitely be a smash radio hit all across the country! Congrats, the Band Perry…”Live Forever” is my Song of the Week! A+
Robin Thicke and Nicki Minaj co-penned “Back Together” with Max Martin and the results were a satisfying piece of ear candy. (Single cover property of Interscope Records & StarTrack Entertainment)
“Back Together” by Robin Thicke featuring Nicki Minaj
What happens when Robin Thicke and Nicki Minaj collaborate? Pure joy! This is the music that I have been waiting both of them to release for the past two years! Thanks to co-writers Ali Payami, Savan Kotecha and Max Martin, who was recently revealed to be one of Rolling Stone’s greatest songwriters of all-time, both Robin and Nicki brought their respective A-games and this could be a dark horse for song of the 2015 summer. A
All of the clips that are featured in the article are properties of the artists and their respective record companies.
