L.A.B

Though New Zealand band L.A.B. released their debut single in 2017, their roots stretch back to the early ‘90s in the town of Whakatane. That’s where drummer and producer Brad Kora and his guitarist brother, Stuart, first demonstrated their love of reggae and funk in a group that bore their surname. When Kora’s original lineup splintered in the mid-2010s, Brad and Stu started L.A.B. with singer/guitarist Joel Shadbolt of Batucada Sound Machine, former Katchafire bassist Ara Adams-Tamatea, and keyboardist Miharo Gregory. Together, they’ve continued Kora’s heavy-duty adventures in reggae, dub, and electronic music while incorporating elements of neo-soul, rock, and doo-wop, too. A midtempo charmer from their third album, L.A.B. III (2019), “In the Air” became the first chart-topper by a Kiwi act at home since Lorde’s “Green Light” two years previously. Released in 2020, L.A.B. IV confirms the band’s status as the country’s foremost purveyor of liquid grooves, irresistible melodies, and the very best of vibes.