By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Welcome to the third and final Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews of February 2021! We have a lot of new music to unpack, so let’s get this party started.
The United States vs. Billie Holiday by Andra Day
R&B star Andra Day is the latest performer to tackle iconic blues and jazz legend Billie Holiday. The “Rise Up” portrays the “God Bless the Child” singer in Lee Daniels’ film: The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Ms. Day does a spectacular job interpreting Ms. Holiday’s songbook. In addition to standards such as “Lady Sings the Blues” and “God Bless the Child,” there is a new song: “Tigress & Tweed” that Ms. Day co-wrote with the Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated Raphael Saadiq. The United States vs. Billie Holiday is a phenomenal soundtrack that perfectly cements Andra Day’s career in the entertainment industry. A-
Tracks to Download: “Tigress & Tweed,” “Ain’t Nobody’s Business,” “Them There Eyes,” “Lady Sings the Blues,” & “God Bless the Child.”
K-EP by Kelly Rowland
New mom and former The Voice Australia coach Kelly Rowland dropped her fourth extended play. K showcases that the “When Loves Takes Over” songstress still can deliver up-tempo tracks. However, the slower songs such as “Speed of Love” really slowed down the listening experience. C+/B-
Tracks to Download: “Black Magic,” “Hitman,” & “Crazy.”
Don’t Blink by Natalie Nicole Gilbert
Recent Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast guest Natalie Nicole Gilbert released her latest album: Don’t Blink. Natalie produced this album with Latin Grammy-nominated producer Robert Eibach, which features impeccable takes on several tunes such as Sabrina Carpenter’s “Exhale,” Richard Marx’s “Whatever We Started,” and Demi Lovato’s “Sorry Not Sorry.” Violinist Andrew Joslyn, cellist Eli Weinberger, pianist Warren Pettey, and The Voice alum Lisa Ramsey were the guest collaborators. Natalie delivered impeccable covers that would impress the original artists. B+
Tracks to Download: “Exhale,” “Whatever We Started,” “Morning Light,” & “Sorry Not Sorry.”
“Stuck in My Head” by Captain Cuts & AJ Mitchell
Los Angeles DJ group Captain Cuts (Ben Berger, Ryan McMahon, and Ryan Rabin) teamed up with AJ Mitchell for 2021’s first massive banger. I was blown away from the first note! “Stuck in My Head” is an outstanding piece of ear candy and could be a strong contender for 2021’s Song of the Year. A+
“I Do” by Aloe Blacc & LeAnn Rimes
The Masked Singer: Season Four Runner-Up (Aloe Blacc) and Winner (LeAnn Rimes) teamed up for an epic collaboration. The duo recorded a duet of Aloe Blacc’s “I Do,” which was initially a solo song on the “Wake Me Up” singer-songwriter’s fifth studio album: All Love Everything. The new version of “I Do” brilliantly blends their respective R&B/Soul and country music backgrounds spectacularly. A
Head to the second page to check out this edition’s Artists to Watch!
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