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Claudia Robin Gunn - Album Review: Little Wild Learning

16 Sep 2024 // A review by Danica Bryant

The art of writing children's music is deceptively harder than people might expect. The songs are easy to listen to and lyrically simple, but they must incorporate educational vocabulary, introduce new ideas about life, and maintain a catchiness that gives young listeners a fun experience, rather than one that could be overwhelming. With those rules in mind, Claudia Robin Gunn creates a beautiful collection for kids with her latest release Little Wild Learning.

A folk-pop album for ages three to six, Little Wild Learning is a sticky-sweet record teaching its audience about the changing world around them. Butterflies best embodies this idea, with country-esque instrumentation telling a saccharine story about animals exploring the world. This obviously metaphorically represents children's first steps into the world in the same way. It unfolds into a beautiful choir-style outro with layered harmonies and melodic lines. How To Make A Friend spells out connecting with others through interplaying vocals between two performers, and Kindy Kid featuring Gunn's childhood friend Jenny Freed celebrates the always exciting landmarks of growing up.

Claudia Robin Gunn also branches out for her own take on the ABCs with Alphabet Phonics, which twists the classic by offering up tough but important new words for each letter. Similarly, Animal Sounds is typical fodder for children's music, but the upbeat, bright energy shows plenty of charisma and personality, guaranteed to grab kids' attention. There's also the fun revelation that some animals in fact do not make sounds! Each track feels warm and light hearted with its organic instruments, produced with polish but maintaining the perfect level of sparsity. Considering how standard children's music content can feel, these songs prove Gunn is capable of making the genre her own, yet keeping it as accessible and enjoyable as ever for the target demographic.

For those looking to incorporate music into their child's learning, Claudia Robin Gunn is always a wonderful choice. With her talented ear for a hook, lyrics that push the listener just enough, and her bubbly personality, she just might be Aotearoa's best pick for the job. Little Wild Learning might even be so good, adults can't deny they're loving it, too!

 

About Claudia Robin Gunn

Claudia Robin Gunn’s kids folk music captures the golden essence of childhood. Twice awarded APRA's children's song of the year award, she loves to support families with music that offers delights and surprises for both parents and the kids they love. Her independent label is Little Wild Music.

Claudia is a songwriter with electronic act Substax, a long term collaboration with fellow artist and producer Nick Farrands.

Claudia is a member of the Recording Academy and Children's Music Network in the USA and APRA Amcos NZ, Music Manager's Forum, Independent Music NZ and Kiwi Kids Music in New Zealand.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Claudia Robin Gunn

Releases

Little Wild Learning
Year: 2024
Type: Album
Firefly
Year: 2023
Type: Album
Little, Wild and Spooky
Year: 2021
Type: EP
Little Wild Christmas Volume 2
Year: 2021
Type: Album
Little Wild Universe
Year: 2020
Type: Album
Little Wild Christmas
Year: 2019
Type: Album
Little Wild Lullabies
Year: 2016
Type: Album

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