"Fresh Air" reviewed by Spencer Griffin

A collaborative effort between Spec Lab students Lucas Salusky and Miles LeBlanc, both of whom are fans of the techno/dance genre, "Fresh Air" is spring and summer encapsulated into sound! Mixing a variety of different keyboard sounds and synthetic beats, "Fresh Air" seems like something cribbed straight out of the Fatboy Slim catalog, bearing somewhat a resemblance to latter-day Moby tunes as well. Lucas takes on the spoken vocals, rapped in a fashion that is both deadpan and rhythmic, while Miles adds fleeting, evaporative, Bowie-esque vocals to the parts of the song that are supposed to be sung. The lyrics to "Fresh Air," as can be inferred from the title of the song, is about the desire to be out and about during the warmest months of the year (or perhaps just any time at all). We have all wanted to set foot into the wild, especially during this last year and a half, and "Fresh Air" is the perfect way to paint a musical picture of both the desire and anxiety we have felt during that time!

Listen here:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/lucassalusky/fresh-air

"Let's Get Out Of Here" reviewed by Spencer Griffin

Spec Lab musician, Nick Brode, is passionate about traveling, and he brings that subject to the forefront in his latest piece, "Let's Get Out of Here." The mood of the song is a wistful, bittersweet one, with music evocative of 1970's singer/songwriters such as Cat Stevens and James Taylor. The crisp, autumnal sound of the acoustic guitar, ukulele, and 12-string, combined with Nick's yearning yet fluid vocals set the right atmosphere for a good road song. Of course, this would be a "road song" for those sweet and sentimental times you feel like you miss something or someone from far away, not a fast and furious "Born to Be Wild" type of road song. From the very first verse, during which Nick sings, "Getting bored. Need someplace new," he makes it clear that he has a thirst for adventure. Sights, people, food, nature, you name it! Nick mentions it all in this song, and he is ready to explore the world beyond his home and all the riches it has to offer!

Listen now to "Let's Get Out of Here":

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/nickbrode/lets-get-out-of-here

"Seven Days Are Fun" reviewed by Spencer Griffin

In an effort to get the little ones excited about learning without getting their parents and older siblings feeling frustrated in the process, Domonique Brown's "Seven Days Are Fun" is a happy, spirited song about knowing the names of each day of the week, with one special activity mentioned for each of the seven days. For instance, "Monday is a pool day, swimming in the water," and "Tuesday is a book day. Remember to stay quiet." Dom sings about half the lines in this song, while the other half are sung by collaborator and fellow SpecLab student, Ann Postlewaite. Both Ann and Dom have smooth, sweet tenor vocals that go great with the catchiness of this song that occasionally harmonize with one another. In the midst of all the sunshine and sweetness the song has to offer, yet another SpecLab student, instrumental wizard Sean McCrae, lays down some funky bass riffs to add yet another appealing layer to this chipper composition. As the song is marketed to young children, preschool and kindergarten students will likely enjoy "Seven Days Are Fun," but for anyone who grew up on series like Sesame Street and Schoolhouse Rock who has fond memories of such shows, "Seven Days..." is a treat worth listening to for that demographic as well!

Listen Here:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/domoniquebrown/seven-days-are-fun-feat-ann-postlewaite