London, UK, 16th December 2021
L.A.B – L.A.B V
Digital Release Date: 17 December 2021
CD & Vinyl Release: 18 March 2022
via LOOP Recordings Aot(ear)oa
L.A.B return with their new album, L.A.B V, their fifth in five years. Following on from a string of albums & singles that have reached number one at home in New Zealand, L.A.B V features a band continuing to experiment with multiple genres, while staying true to the L.A.B sound. The album sees the band combining their eclectic sound into a compelling journey that moves across reggae, soul, funk & blues.
The new album has once again been recorded at the band’s home of the Surgery Studios in Wellington with Dr Lee Prebble, with the studio helping bring out the nostalgia-tinged sound to the release. Recorded in between sell-out arena shows and lockdown periods, the recording process again saw the band living in the studio for weeks on end, with drummer Brad Kora heading up the production team of Prebble & bassist Ara Adams-Tamatea.
The 10 tracks featured on L.A.B V showcase a mixture of the styles that have grown to be the L.A.B sound. This release sees the sound expanding into country & hip-hop with the tracks ‘Under The Sun’ & ‘Real Ones’, featuring local artist Kings. Tracks ‘Can You Be The One’ & ‘Oh Honey’ are the albums soulful slow jams which feature strings to match from frequent-collaborators The Black Quartet.
‘Mr Reggae’, ‘Like Fire’ & ‘I Know’ all bring L.A.B’s roots/reggae experience to the front, creating tracks which instantly feel like classic summer sing-alongs.’Backseat’ see the band bring a soul-infused R&B sound to the tracks, backed by full strings, horns & woodwind instruments, while ‘Proud Man’ closes the album with a classic funk-inspired jam.
Continuing to hone in & expand on their eclectic sound, L.A.B V sees L.A.B cementing themselves as one of New Zealand’s hardest-working acts, and adds another collection of tracks to their ever-expanding catalogue.
Since the 2020 release of L.A.B IV, the band saw that album reach Number One on the New Zealand Official Album Chart, while the single ‘Why Oh Why’ topped the Singles Chart. They have headlined festivals across NZ and performed five massive headline shows at the iconic Bowl of Brooklands, Mt Smart Stadium, Claudelands Arena and two shows at TSB Arena – with all five shows selling out to a total audience of over 50,000. Recent months have seen them nominated for five awards at the 2021 Aotearoa Music Awards, including Album & Single of the Year, one year after taking home the People’s Choice Award.
The release comes ahead of a huge summer of live performances in New Zealand and Australia, including headline shows at Hagley Park in Christchurch and at Auckland’s iconic Western Springs Stadium. April 2022 will see L.A.B finally return to Australia to perform a marquee set at the iconic Byron Bay Bluesfest, and play five sold out shows to over 15,000 people at HOTA Gold Coast (2 shows), Fremantle Arts Centre (2 shows) & more.
Tracklisting
- Can You Be The One
- All Night
- Mr Reggae
- Under The Sun
- Real Ones (by L.A.B & Kings)
- Oh Honey
- Like Fire
- Backseat
- I Know
- Proud Man
Upcoming Live Shows
December 30 – Rhythm & Alps, Wanaka
January 8 – Bowl Of Brooklands, New Plymouth
January 15 – Hagley Park, Christchurch w/ Shapeshifter
January 22 – Western Springs Stadium, Auckland
March 25 – Reunion Park, Melbourne
April 15 – Byron Bay Bluesfest, Byron Bay, headlining Friday night
April 16 – Eatons Hill, Brisbane w/ Summer Thieves *SOLD OUT*
April 22 – HOTA, Gold Coast w/ Summer Thieves *SOLD OUT*
April 23 – HOTA, Gold Coast w/ Summer Thieves *SOLD OUT*
April 29 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle w/ Tiki Taane *SOLD OUT*
April 30 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle w/ Tiki Taane *SOLD OUT*
*more Australian headline shows & festival appearances to be announced
Socials
https://www.facebook.com/LABmusicNZ
https://www.instagram.com/lab_music
https://www.tiktok.com/@lab_music
Label
Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa
https://www.loop.co.nz
https://www.facebook.com/LoopRecordings
https://www.instagram.com/looprecordings
