Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews: Week of October 20, 2023

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

Welcome to the latest edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews!! We got a lot of music to unpack, so let’s start this party!

 

 

Christmas by Cher

Entertainment icon Cher dropped her first holiday record of her celebrated career. Christmas features iconic collaborators, including longtime friends Cyndi Lauper and Darlene Love, and music superstars Michael Buble, Stevie Wonder, and Tyga. There are several standout tracks, including her soon-to-be iconic “DJ Play A Christmas Song” and her powerful duets with Cyndi Lauper (“Put A Little Holiday in Your Heart”), Darlene Love (“Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)” and Michael Buble (“Home). However, there are several questionable song selections, such as “Drop Top Sleigh Ride,” “Please Come Home for Christmas,” and “Christmas Ain’t Christmas Without You.” I wished Cher and her production team had used this opportunity to record more up-tempo EDM holiday songs, as it would have made the holiday season more spectacular. B-/B

Tracks to Download or Stream: “DJ Play a Christmas Song,” “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home),”  “Home,” & “Put A Little Holiday in Your Heart.”

 

SET IT OFF by Offset 

A lot has happened to rapper Offset since he dropped his 2019 solo debut, Father Of 4. The performer mourned his fellow Migos member and cousin Takeoff’s death in November 2022, and his roller-coaster relationship with superstar wife Cardi B became tabloid fodder. The Lawrenceville, Georgia-born performer channeled all his energy into his sophomore solo album, SET IT OFF. Starting with “SAY MY GRACE,” Offset set the recording studio ablaze with fiery beats that will catch the attention of both fans and critics. A part of SET IT OFF’s success comes from its featured artists. Cardi B, Chlöe, Don Toliver, Future, Latto, Mango Foo, and Travis Scott stepped up and delivered some of the strongest featured performances I heard all year. SET IT OFF is Offset’s best album and could be a game changer that up-and-coming rap talent should listen to as they prepare to start their creative process. A-

Tracks to Download or Stream: “SAY MY GRACE,” “WORTH IT,” “BROAD DAY,” “FREAKY,” “NIGHT VISION,” & “FINE AS CAN BE.”

 

 

 

 

Hackney Diamonds by The Rolling Stones 

The Rolling Stones released their twenty-sixth studio album! Hackney Diamonds is a unique album as it is the final time fans will hear Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and the late Charlie Watts together, as the latter passed away on August 24, 2021. While Keith and Mick wrote much of the material, music producer Andrew Watt co-wrote three songs: “Angry,” “Get Close,” and “Depending on You” with the duo. In addition to production from Watt and Don Was the legendary British rock band received some all-star reinforcements. Former band member Bill Wyman returned to the bar to play the bass on “Live by the Sword,” featuring Sir Elton John on the piano. The “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” singer also played the keys on “Get Close.” Fellow British rock pioneer Sir Paul McCartney played the bass guitar on “Bite My Head Off.” Meanwhile, “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” one of Hackney Diamonds’ true highlights, features Lady Gaga on vocals and Stevie Wonder on both keyboards and the piano. Hackney Diamonds showcases why the Rolling Stones are masters of their craft and how their music will stand the test of time. A

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Angry,” “Get Close,” “Depending on You,” “Whole Wide World,” “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” & “Live by the Sword.”

 

 

Something to Give Each Other by Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan decided to take fans on an adventure with his third studio outing: Something to Give Each Other. Songwriters and producers Oscar Görres, Ian Kirkpatrick, and Styalz Fuego helped the “Heaven” singer-songwriter build his vision that blended multiple music genres, including house, R&B, and three forms of pop music. Something to Give Each Other showcases how the Australian recording artist is growing up before fans’ eyes and how he could be the younger millennials’ answer to George Michael. B+ 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Rush,” “In My Room,” “Got Me Started,” & “What’s the Time Where You Are?”

 

“Show Me” by Leslie Odom Jr. featuring Tatiana Clark

Grammy and Tony-winning performer Leslie Odom Jr. released his first single off his upcoming fifth studio album: When a Crooner Dies. “Show Me,” a duet with Tatiana Clark, perfectly showcases Leslie’s superb upper register and his vocal chemistry with Ms. Clark. A-

 

“Recover” by Lux featuring Nick Lachey 

Jake’s Take friend Lux is back! The music producer teamed with Nick Lachey for “Recovery.” This EDM track is pure fire! The production reminds me of a classic David Guetta 2000s/2010s dance anthem, and Nick delivered a solid vocal performance. “Recovery” is one of the best tracks I have heard this year, and I cannot wait to listen and dance to this track for years to come. A+

 

Artists to Watch:

Jake’s Take’s Artists to Watch is back! Here are some of the recording artists that are ready to make an impact on the music industry.

 

Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana by Bad Bunny

Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny has become a household name in several years. The performer released his sixth studio album, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, which translates to Nobody Knows What is Going to Happen Tomorrow in English. Bad Bunny released 22 tracks for this album that feature an ensemble of Latin’s hottest up-and-comers, including Bryant Myers, Mora, Young Miko, and my fellow Kansas Citian Eladio Carrión. The album also features “VOU 787,” a track that Bad Bunny co-wrote with Madonna and Shep Pettibone. Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana showcases that Bad Bunny is one of the top masters in reggaeton and Latin trap music. He also has the potential to be one of his generation’s leaders in the music industry. B+ 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “MONACO,” “FINA,” “GRACIAS POR NADA,” “LOS PITS,” & “WHERE SHE GOES.”

 

This Shouldn’t Be Typical by Haidee

Over the past three years, Filipino-Canadian rising artist Haidee has become a household name in the Edmonton music industry. Recently, she dropped her eight-song LP, This Shouldn’t Be Typical. The album centered on her life experience, which included growing up as a woman of color and leaving her home in the Philippines to live with her parents in Edmonton, Canada. Listening to the record, I wondered: “Where has Haidee been?” Her beautiful vocals remind me of a combination of Ariana Grande, Gwen Stefani, and Jessica Sanchez. Haidee has a bright future and is worthy of a decades-long music industry career. A 

Tracks to Download or Stream: “Get Over It,” “Florence,” “Look At Me Now,” “With You,” & “How It Ends.”

 

“Let You Down” by Dela Kay 

Alt-pop recording artist and Nashville native Dela Kay dropped “Let You Down,” an emotional tune surrounding the complexities of modern dating. I loved hearing her vulnerability; the guitar licks and drum programming of “Let You Down” are superb. B 

 

“Another Summer” by Kodiak Arcade 

Kodiak Arcade wraps up this edition of Jake’s Take’s New Music Reviews. Led by composer Graeme Cornies, Kodiak Arcade makes electronic music and uses AI to create a memorable visual experience. “Another Summer” is a hypnotic electronic ear candy that will send listeners into a trance. It is a beautiful track that will make listeners say “farewell” to summer memories and hope for Summer 2024. B+ 

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