Highlights from the Catalog — 2019

This year has been full of change for us at The Lab. And as we close out 2019, it’s important to go back to the reason why we do all of this: the music.

We create music because we need to, because we love it, and because we want to share that music with the world. Believe it or not, sifting through mounds of metadata is not how we get our jollies. But we do it in service of the music, the artists who create it, and to give our clients the experience you deserve.

With that in mind, we’ve gone through this year’s releases and highlighted some of our favorites. Cheers to 2019, thanks for listening!

Album: Filthy Funk (E&E-027)

Label: Eyeballs & Eardrums

There’s nothing quite like getting ridiculously talented funk musicians in the same room and hitting record. The magic they create is unable to replicated by any computer program. The deep grooves and jams captured here are no exception, featuring Angie Swan on guitar (David Byrne, Cee Lo).

Label: UNDERscore

Album: Under the Moon (UND-50)

Music = Mood. Under the Moon has positive vibes without being too happy-go-lucky. If you're not moving in your chair or at least bobbing your head along you're clearly a robot, or just listening to something else. Feel the positivity and get up and do a little grooving along, we dare you.

Album: Organic Exploratorium (MOPM-072)

Label: Modus Operandi

For those who want to relive the experiences of childlike wonder, imagination, and discovery, uninhibited by rules and naysayers, the Organic Exploratorium is open. The instrumentation is true to the title, fueled by pianos, keyboard percussion, and strings. To keep that sense of magic and whimsy, there are also doses of synth pads and the occasional drum machine.

Album: Hip-Hop (ACPM-022)

Label: Analog Champion

As 88Nine Radio Milwaukee’s Jordan Lee told us earlier this year, “My favorite part of Hip Hop music, and the reason I continue to study it, is that it is a unique American sub-culture, that spread all over the globe and became mainstream culture.” Taking inspiration from the early pioneers of the genre, we created a record that brings out that grit and energy that is rarely found in the digital world.

Label: Organic Spark

Album: Smash & Grab (OSPK-077)

From classic arena guitar solos and gnarly surf, to that punk band you hired to play your house party that one weekend your parents were out of town, Smash & Grab has something for all rock fans! Tracks like ‘Runnin and Gunnin’ and ‘We Can’t All Be Outsiders’ bring back all the feelings of rebellion we felt when we were teens. This album helps with music searches looking for that extra edge.

Album: Trap Beats (HK-15)

Label: HypeKit

Highlighting this album as a favorite from our catalog was a no brainer. Listen to the first track “Manhunter” and you’re instantly enveloped in the attitude and swagger that HypeKit is known for. Dirty bass and chaotic beats are dripping with confidence and adrenaline.

These tracks are built for mean-muggin’.