What About Us

In Livin' Out Loud's United States debut album, What About Us, the Los Angeles-based band uses smooth vocals over popular hip-hop beats to produce a well-made album.

Livin' Out Loud features vocalists Lisa LaShawn, Reuben MacCalla, Sylvia MacCalla, and Jason "Martini" Martinez, a diverse but talented group that easily finds a mellifluous, urban groove.

Unlike the U.K. release, the U.S. version of What About Us includes three new tracks ("Do Your Thing," "Lately," and "Make Me Move") as well as some digitally remastered tracks ("Static," "Hey Yo," and "What You Came Here For").

Combining rap and vocals over a pop beat in the title track, "What About Us," Livin' Out Loud creates a catchy, optimistic urban groove that is echoed throughout the following tracks.

Livin' Out Loud also shows their vocal competence in two outstanding ballads on the album, "Lately," and a romantic, relaxed cover of the American favorite, "You Are My Sunshine."

There is no doubt that this group is talented; they create sassy, female songs that parallel more masculine, rap-oriented songs, but there is just a hint of bubble-gum pop. However, with tracks like "Brokeazz," "Where's the Love," and "Static," Livin' Out Loud presents an album with stellar vocals, appealing to any audience, regardless of genre preference.