If you’re already dreading the thought of keeping the kids out of trouble for the entire summer break, Bongo Boy Records’ latest album drop is about to become your go-to distraction tactic. Kidz And Katz Volume 3 is here, packing eleven short and sweet children’s tunes into a snappy 35 minutes. And if you secretly despise the typical sounds of the children’s genre, you’re in for a treat as Bongo Boy Records compiles kid-friendly tracks with a grown-up twist. Curious to find out more? Let’s dive into the highlights…
Willow Layne’s sunny-skied country album-opener, “Who I Aspire To Be,” captures inspirational atmospheres with a teen pop-rock edge. Think early-era Miley Cyrus and you’ve latched onto the vibe.
Label owner Monique Grimme supplies three tracks of her own: “Gnome Hollow,” “You’re The Rock In My Life,” and “The Big Discovery by George, The Sheepadoodle.” The first is a cinematic and upbeat ballad with deliciously gothic folk pop undertones; the second a soft and sentimental pop song with a hint of drama in its powerhouse chorus; and the third, a lullaby-inspired acoustic folk pop hit comparable to a Taylor Swift anthem.
Kidz And Katz Vol. 3 isn’t your average kids’ record – it’s spectacularly multidimensional, and Ann M. Wolf and Irene Ellis Miles are proof. Wolf gets reflective on the rootsy, bluesy “Time In The Journey Of The Soul,” a soulful, sage-like stroll through life’s lessons and enduring faith. Flip the switch entirely for Miles’ “My Special Day,” a bouncy, sing-song number that bottles up all the giddy joy of a single-digit birthday. Preschool anthem “Hop Hop Hop” from Boys’N’Barry matches that same youthful spirit, a classic sing-and-dance-along that this album’s youngest listeners are sure to love.
Meanwhile, Studeo makes a hilarious glam rock appearance with the bombastic and psychedelic track “Chickens On The Beach” – an instant fave for any kid harbouring an eccentric sense of humour. Shockingly, that’s not the only chicken song on the record. William Sherry Jr’s “Guitar Pickin’ Chicken” is a feral farmhouse tune just as crazy as its title suggests, so silly and entertaining that it could easily land a soundtrack slot on an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants. Toria Byrum’s “Rootie The Rooster” wraps up this album, topping its rock-pop jam with sing-along country-style lyrics.
Even with its three chicken songs, Kidz And Katz Vol. 3 refreshingly isn’t your usual brain-numbing collection of nursery rhymes, but rather a collection of genuine songs inspired by some of the best genres around; each track woven with a child-friendly twist, whether it’s the heartwarming sentimental themes, moral lessons, or an exciting splash of hilarity.
Our final verdict? Recommended
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