L.A.B. (album) explained
| L.A.B. |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | L.A.B. |
| Cover: | L.A.B. cover art.jpg |
| Length: | 67:03 |
| Label: | Loop Recordings |
| Producer: | Brad Kora |
| Next Title: | L.A.B. II |
| Next Year: | 2018 |
L.A.B. is the debut studio album by New Zealand band L.A.B., released in November 2017. The album become a sleeper hit, becoming one of the top performing albums in New Zealand between 2019 and 2022.
Production
L.A.B. originally formed as a project for Kora members Brad and Stu Kora, in collaboration with Ara Adams-Tamatea of Katchafire and vocalist Joel Shadbolt. The songs recorded on the album were written and performed between 2015 and 2017, and developed based on audience reception.
The album was written in Whakatāne and Tauranga, and recorded in Wellington at Dr Lee Prebble's home recording studio, Surgery Studios.
Release and promotion
Four tracks were released as singles in the lead-up to the album's release. "Jimmy Boy" was the first, released on 21 September 2017 on the date when the album was announced.[1] This was followed by "Starry Eyes" followed on 12 October,[2] "Ain't No Use" on 2 November[3] and "Umulash" on the 16th.[4]
A music video was released for the album's final single "Controller", on 31 July 2018.[5] [6] The song became a hit in 2020 after the release of the band's single "In the Air", becoming the 8th most successful single by a New Zealand artist in 2020.[7]
Credits and personnel
- A. Adams-Tamatea – arrangement (9), backing vocals (8), bass (1–3, 5, 7–8, 11–12), bass moog voyager (9–10), moog bass (2, 4), songwriting (9)
- B. Kora – arrangement (4, 7, 9, 11–12), backing vocals (1, 4, 6, 8), chorus vocals (9–10), drums (1–12), lyrics (1, 4–10, 12), percussion (2, 5, 8–10), producer, sampling (6–7, 9–10), songwriting (1–3, 5, 7, 9, 11–12), string & percussion arrangement (2), string arrangement (4, 11), timpani (3)
- S. Kora – acoustic guitar (12), B3 organ (8–10), backing vocals (1, 4, 6, 8), guitar (3), keys (1, 3–4, 8–11), organ (6, 11), rhythm guitar (5), songwriting (9, 11–12), synth (2, 4, 6–10)
- T. Kora – songwriting (11), slide guitar (11)
- L.A.B. – arrangement (1–3, 5–6, 8, 10), chants (3), lyrics (3), songwriting (4, 6, 8, 10)
- Dr Lee Prebble – co-producer, sound engineer
- J. Shadbolt – acoustic guitar (5, 12), backing vocals (6), guitar (1, 3–4, 6, 8, 10), lyrics (2, 4–6, 8, 10), songwriting (2, 12), vocals (1–12)
- Leisure Tomlins – vocals (4)
Charts
Year-end charts
Release history
Notes and References
- News: L.A.B Announces Release of Debut Album With Single 'Jimmy Boy'. New Zealand Music Commission. 21 September 2017. 7 January 2023.
- Web site: Starry Eyes. Spotify. 7 January 2023.
- Web site: Ain't No Use. Spotify. 7 January 2023.
- Web site: Umulash. Spotify. 7 January 2023.
- Web site: L.A.B. Bio . Reggarville . 4 January 2023.
- News: VIDEO PREMIERE: L.A.B.'s 'Controller' directed by Shae Sterling . . 31 July 2018 . 7 January 2023.
- News: Kiwi music dominates the 2020 Official NZ Music Charts . . 1 December 2020 . 7 January 2023.
- Web site: Top Selling Albums of 2020. Recorded Music NZ. 7 December 2020.
- Web site: Top Selling Albums of 2021. Recorded Music NZ. 24 January 2022. 24 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124051930/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=5267. live.
- Web site: Official Top 40 Albums: END OF YEAR CHARTS 2022. NZ Music Charts. Recorded Music NZ. 21 December 2022.
- Web site: L.A.B. Releases Debut Album - Out Today . muzic.net.nz . 24 November 2017 . 7 January 2023.
