Strawbitty Yops is a family music project from Austin, Texas, USA. The band consists of two lifelong friends (Cindy and Woody) along with Cindy's daughter Autumn. Although they are relative newcomers to the kindie music scene, they have already released their second album What Does Love Look Like? A fabulous poetic statement, which expresses amongst other things, the importance of community, and the power of love to overcome any obstacle.
This is a good album, strikingly original, and executed with the type of warmth often missing in the digital age. The band are a pretty formidable live act too, which you will no doubt see if you check out their YouTube channel, which features a number of exciting live performances.
"Intro Dialogue" provides a brief introduction to the band's ethos, before expanding this idea further with the title track "What Does Love Look Like?" A song which portrays how 'love can show itself in many different ways'. The music is quite dreamy, and percussive with different layers of vocals scanning over a haunting melody which sustains the music throughout. Fabulous!
"Level Up" is essentially a song about ambition, perseverance and personal achievement. The song is highly percussive with a combination of vocals merging into one profound statement. The lyrics offer encouragement throughout, where we get to 'learn as we grow' as long as we 'keep on trying'. The major strength of the song lies in its raw simplicity, where the vocals express the message with little distraction. The song also features an interesting arrangement; gradually building in intensity, with a fusion of voices culminating in an exotic chant, slightly reminiscent of Bowie's "Chant Of The Ever Circling Skeletal Family".
"Collaboration Nation" incorporates a rhythm slightly reminiscent of Public Image's "Flowers of Romance". Although here, the cynicism is cast aside, as the lyrics express a desire to 'live in harmony' in order to build a world we want to see'. The use of steady handclaps further cement the rhythm, as the music utilises a rumbling bass, a lively harmonica, and what sounds like a mandolin adding further zest to the track.
"Let's Get Excited" sounds like it's been recorded live, in front of a rapturous audience happy to let their feelings be known. Essentially it's a song which expresses the numerous reasons to be excited, including 'the beauty that's all around', which ultimately 'puts a smile on your face'. Again, these 'reasons to be cheerful' can consist of something as simple as dancing to create 'these moments of joy'. I became quite inspired listening to the track, such is the endless positivity on display, flowing through each and every note of the song.
"Get It Right" features a variety of percussion instruments uniquely complementing each other, as the vocals express a need to 'make a difference'. In this sense the song is quite introspective, where the desire is to be the best that we can be, and in order to do this we need to empathise, and look out for each other. The bass bobs away in the background, as a flute finds seizes the opportunity to serenade the listener in the remaining space, despite the compressed intensity of the lyrics. Listening and learning is encouraged here, as is the importance of learning from mistakes, where we are persuaded not to 'hide behind the pain'. The band want to 'get it right', and certainly do with this charming vision of ambition and hope because it's 'time to level up'.
My favourite track is the wonderful "Warm and Cozy", which reminded me of the many winters I used to experience when I lived in the UK. Here, love is expressed through the simple act of spending time with loved ones. The Danish word "hygge" sums up the sentiment on display, where a warm atmosphere surrounded by friends is all we require to be happy. Here we use our 'love to illuminate the dark'. The song could be the new Danish national anthem, or at least the encore if the band ever get to perform there. For me 'there was no greater joy' than listening to the song, which lifts the spirits and focuses on the positives, because as the saying goes 'love is all around us'.
"Rainbow Super Power" shines and sparkles throughout, with its sprightly melodies, luscious harmonies and gentle vibe. The song is briefly broken up in places with a marching beat that slightly throws the listener before returning to a more regular rhythm pattern. The lyrics are potent and instructive, expressing the importance of resilience and courage 'because there's no one like you'. Clearly a song that is fully aware of its value, and expresses itself with both skill and dexterity.
"Good Things Take Time" features an acoustic guitar, and what sounds like a flute carrying the melody throughout. The lyrics emphasise the importance of patience, and how although things take time they eventually come good. The music adopts a slight swing feel about midway through, as the lyrics continue to insist on the reality that life is a marathon and not a sprint. An important lesson for children, in an age where the challenges of life may be perceived as too difficult, and concentration spans are perhaps not what they were. A song to remind us of the importance of the simple things in life, and how a simple nature walk might be all that's required to bring a smile to our face and brighten up our day.
"Music in My Head" has a noticeable jazzy feel, where an imaginative bass spars with an electronic piano, and minimal vocals exploit the sound in-between. The keyboard embarks on a brief solo, alongside a wandering bass that shifts the emphasis of the music, and keeps the listener engaged as we are asked to 'see the beauty all around'. Once again, a song about peace, love and friendship, and the important role of community in creating a better world. A song perhaps also, for all the artists out there, looking for a suitable canvas to express their ideas.
"So Thankful", offers thanks to the listener for staying tuned to the very end. A song about gratitude, and the way in which sufficient gratitude can literally turn your life around. There is a call to action on display here, where where we 'wake up every morning' and get the opportunity to make a difference. Here we are encouraged to 'count our blessings', because there are so many things to be grateful for. The song again is highly percussive with a trumpet thrown in towards the end for good measure. The song reminds us that it's 'great to be alive', because essentially to some of us there is no such thing as a miracle, and to others every day is a miracle.
I love this album, because the lyrics are very much front and centre, and what inspiring lyrics they are. Every line strikes a chord of positivity, where love is the order of the day, and is available to everyone. I was literally blown away by the eccentric beauty of what the band have created. The lyrics, would probably make Billy Bragg green with envy, such is the extent to which this band attempt to 'better human kind'. The music is sparse, but highly effective, in that they have created their own unique sound, which is original, focused and incredibly catchy. I would love to hear more of what this band have to offer, such is the lyrical depth and musical intrigue on display here. I suggest you check them out at your earliest opportunity.
Strawbitty Yops - all you need is love.
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