This is the eighth album by award winning artist, Andy Z. Its 16 songs offer a variety of genres, from jazz to soft rock -- including "Song For My Baby," "Flutter Flutter, Butterfly," and "Mariposa Vuela" -- a collaboration with PBS Kids, and more. Andy Z is beloved in the children's music community for his commitment to fun and sincere songs that are a well-balanced mix of kids' classics and original tunes ranging from lighthearted to heartfelt, playful to deeply thoughtful - a hallmark of Andy's body of work that spans over two decades.
This album will have your little ones laughing, singing, jumping, and dancing - it's a great way to get your kids up and running in the mornings. I have a three-year-old nephew and I would certainly have him singing along to its catchy lyrics. The atmosphere of the music is lighthearted, kid-friendly, and all around goofy. Kudos to Andy Z for hitting his target audience perfectly. The song quality and production are terrific. Even though this album is targeted for younger children, I found myself nodding my head to the beat and humming the tunes at times. Its continuity is right on - the lyrics go perfectly with the instrumentals and portray the silliness of his songs very nicely. Andy Z's vocals are amazing; he enunciates clearly and uses language that young children are familiar with. He really makes sure that the listener understands what he's saying. Also, the recording quality is outstanding; there is no static or background noise. The variety of genres is noteworthy. I love how he mixes in multiple genres like jazz for "Song For My Baby" and soft rock in "Buzzabee." In addition, Andy Z's way of creating ear-wormy tunes and fun lyrics, some of the songs in this album are deeper than you think. For example, in "My Voice" he references the beauty of free speech, and in "It's Not Your Fault" he explains that not everything that happens to you is your fault. This album is by far one of the best children's albums I am aware of. My favorite song is the one about the tipping boat, because it really shows Andy Z's fun lyricism.
The album's messages convey fun and entertainment, with some deeper messages that sneak up on you.
I give Andy Z - My Voice 5 out 5 five stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. You can find it at online retailers beginning August 29, 2025.
IvyJoy C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12
I like the music album Andy Z - My Voice because it's upbeat, engaging and gets you moving. I love that there are a variety of different instruments played in every song and, even though it gets a little silly at times, I think younger kids will love it.
This album is a collection of tunes performed by renowned artist, Andy Z. It has a bunch of different types of songs - familiar songs, happy songs, slow songs, silly songs and more! This album also has great guitar licks, and some nice percussion work that help tell the stories. I like how Andy never does two songs about the same topic. It makes each song special and notable.
One thing that stands out to me most on this album is definitely the sound of the guitar. It is very bright, unique, appealing and doesn't sound like most songs you hear on other albums or the radio. The lovely harmonies also stand out. They aren't like others, which is what sets it apart. Also, something that is fun and captivating on the album is having kids join Andy Z on various songs. One of the most exciting things is that there are some songs that kids may recognize and be excited to hear his interpretation of a familiar tune. I like how at the end of the soundtrack it settles kids down to get ready for bed and go to sleep. I actually think I prefer the instrumentation and background music better than the actual lyrics and I didn't particularly care for some of the songs. One of the other things I really like is how Andy Z takes a silly subject and turns it into an interesting, catchy song. It's memorable to me, and I think it is very amazing to be able to do that. There is also a special collaboration with the 123 Andres, and they sing "Flutter Flutter Butterfly" in Spanish, which is really cool.
The messages in this album theme are all very positive, encouraging and uplifting. It's a reminder of the good side of life.
I give Andy Z - My Voice 4 out of 5 stars, and I recommend it for ages 2 to 8. You can find it at online music retailers beginning August 29, 2025.
Hadley B, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10
Andy Z - My Voice is a family-friendly music album that features a plethora of tracks that help inspire, educate, and entertain young children. The humorous and engaging lyrics, the sound quality of the instruments, and the variety of tones are what make this album worth listening to!
The album interestingly features a mix of heartfelt songs, immersive audio stories, modern takes inspired by older classics, and educational songs that help instill good values for the younger generation and boost imagination. The album expresses a diverse range of moods suitable for different occasions that can resonate with young children from different walks of life. In addition, most of the songs are influenced by styles that aren't often commonly put together in a singular album, which contributes to its unique lineup.
Andy Zamenes (aka Andy Z), the lead singer of this album, delivers strong and impactful performances. From a musical point of view, the recordings of every vocal and instrumental part are very clean and polished and Andy Z's voice sounds pitch-perfect. Vocal expression is abundant, and his diction allows for the lyrics to be heard with clarity. In addition, every song utilizes a wide range of dynamics. The lullabies like "Song For My Baby" and "Lullaby" demonstrate Andy Z's ability to modulate his voice to a softer pianissimo dynamic, while maintaining clarity in his enunciation. Much livelier tracks like "Five Green Speckled Frogs" are very humorous, which provides a stark contrast in tone and expression to the more reverberative songs like "It's Not Your Fault." On the other hand, the structure of the album and the random organization causes a bit of a lack of continuity. While the order of the songs may feel somewhat scattered and thematically different, Andy Z pays a meaningful tribute to the different styles of music, from original compositions to revamped classics.
The album's messages have a variety of educational aspects and emotional support intertwined. For instance, "Apples" promotes healthy eating and "Good Morning" teaches children good manners. In contrast, some songs like "It's Not Your Fault" carry a deeper message that many kids can resonate with about the harsh reality of bullies and how to navigate that.
I give Andy Z - My Voice 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. It will be available on all major music platforms on August 29, 2025.
By Ilana O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17
Andy Z's lovely new album My Voice dives headfirst into the joy of being a kid--a sensory feast of upbeat, danceable tunes that make sitting still nearly impossible. (I'm pretty sure I saw my cat dancing.)
Andy's years on stage shine through. His vocals, harmonies, and instrumental choices are all spot-on. Experience counts--and so does pacing. He knows exactly how to grab a live audience from the first downbeat and keep that energy humming for listeners at home. That's the mark of a true pro who clearly loves what he's doing. One can tell when a performer is 'seasoned' from countless live shows where songs have an opportunity to grow and engage with a variety of children and environments.
After eight albums, Andy Z keeps honing his craft and this album is a result of his dedication to his music and continued development of his personal 'voice.'
Andy Z's recordings draw on a variety of familiar musical styles, great vocals and expert production work or values. The best way for someone to listen and share is by feeding them. To follow that analogy, this album offers a musical feast for the ears and we learn things we didn't know and are eager to share with others. The artist doesn't preach or talk down to his audience. Individually we are made up of a bundle of stories. As we share, as Andy Z has done, with this album, My Voice, we hope that our many years of experience and awareness will transpose and touch the hearts of many others. This album does exactly that.
Why is My Voice a KIDS FIRST! All-Star? After more than 8,000 live performances in every imaginable setting and climate, I can say, "It takes one to know one." Andy's a kindred spirit with an irresistible appeal to kids--and, yes, parents too. They'll grin at the familiar riffs and nod knowingly. (I suspect he knows more than four chords.) Like the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper or Magical Mystery Tour, Andy invites us into his world--full of musical colors, funny voices, and whimsical twists--guiding his audience on a magical journey and bringing them back safe, sound, and a little richer for the ride. Andy Z hits all the right notes--and a few delightfully unexpected ones--reminding us that the best music for kids is music everyone loves. We'll be sitting by the headsets waiting for your next album, so don't wait too long. Catch you on the flip side!
I give Andy Z - My Voice 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8, plus adults. It is available now at online retailers and streaming. Check it out.
By John Wood, KIDS FIRST! Adult reviewer
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