What makes L.A.B. IV by L.A.B. notable?

L.A.B. IV debuted at number one on the Official New Zealand Music Chart, solidifying L.A.B.'s status as a leading contemporary band in the region. The album has received widespread acclaim for its genre-blending style and lyrical depth, further enhancing the band's influence within the Pacific music landscape. Released on December 18, 2020, L.A.B. IV is the fourth studio album from the New Zealand band L.A.B., following their critically acclaimed third album, which contributed to their growing popularity in the New Zealand music scene. By this point, the band had established themselves as a prominent act, blending genres and appealing to a diverse audience.

How many songs are on L.A.B. IV?

L.A.B. IV has 12 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

L.A.B. IV

L.A.B. · 2020

51 min · 12 tracks

A vibrant fusion of reggae, soul, and rock, infused with uplifting melodies and heartfelt lyrics.

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Top tracks — play these first

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My Brother — This track opens the album with a powerful message of unity and support, showcasing the band's signature blend of reggae rhythms and heartfelt vocals.
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Never Give Up — An anthem of resilience, this song combines infectious melodies with motivational lyrics that resonate deeply during challenging times.
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No Roots — This track highlights L.A.B.'s ability to fuse different musical elements seamlessly while addressing themes of identity and belonging.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends genres effectively but lacks a strong cohesive arc throughout its length.

What we noticed

The album opens with a strong reggae rhythm that persists through the first half, while the second half introduces more acoustic elements and slower tempos.
Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the communal feel typical of reggae music.
The lyrics across multiple songs address themes of resilience and connection, often repeating key phrases for emphasis.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 My Brother 3:39
2 Why Oh Why 4:50
3 Boy King 5:22
4 Yes I Do 5:10
5 Never Give Up 3:54
6 No Roots 4:52
7 IJDK 3:44
8 Operator 4:28
9 My Baby 3:56
10 Early Bird 3:59
11 Natural (acoustic) 3:43
12 Natural 3:40

What to play next

Listen next

L.A.B. V

2021

Go back to

L.A.B. III

2019

Full L.A.B. discography Artists like L.A.B.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata