If you like Justin Roberts, you’ll love…Shawny!
In the follow-up to his debut album, It’s So Sunny (2023), Montreal native Shawny once again proves that he knows the secret to making music that engages and entertains children. A former elementary school music teacher, Shawny showcases his solo voice and songwriting talents on his second album for children and families, Go Go Stop: A Music and Movement Album for Kids. Are you looking for songs to freshen up your storytimes? Try the upbeat “Hi Hello,” the slower “Goodbye Goodbye” and movement songs such as the title song freeze dance “Go Go Stop” and the swashbuckling movement song “Pirate Life.” Counting is an element in several of the songs including “Winter Clothes” which lists the items one needs to wear to go outside and play, while tracks such as “So Different” and “Rainbow Parade” (feat. Strawbitty Yops) celebrate our differences and the importance of inclusivity. The majority of the songs in this collection, such as “In My Airplane” and the lullaby “The Snoring Song,” have a pop-sound to them, calling to mind early Justin Roberts albums. Much like Roberts, many of Shawny’s songs are just a man and a guitar telling tales of every day life that children can easily relate to. Also like Roberts, Shawny’s Go Go Stop is music that families will return to again and again.
And speaking of Justin Roberts, the Chicago-based entertainer returns with Brain Freeze, his 17th album for children and families. The first third of the new collection is classic Justin, featuring upbeat tempos and songs told from a child’s perspective, including the title track about a visit to the ice cream truck. From there he plays with other genres such as the 1960s pop sounds of “Better Than a Saturday” and the rockabilly feel of “Backyard Baby,” as well as switching narratives from that of a child to that of a father on tracks like the beautiful, “Long Walk Home.” Now the dad to a six year old, Justin’s music continues to evolve, capturing all of the love that exists between a dad and his son. Fans of Justin Roberts will love this latest outing while those new to his music will be glad they found it.
