Musician, DJ and broadcaster (RTÉ 2FM) Graham Smyth is today (14 May) announcing his debut album Music For Babies To Rave And Sleep To, which is being released via Practise Music on 5 September 2025.
The album is designed to be enjoyed by young children and adults alike, and features two distinct sonic palates with a Toy Piano (Side A) and Toy Kalimba (Side B). Both sides of the album feature music for raving and for sleeping with interludes between for the build up and come down. Alongside the announcement of this unique debut album, Smyth is sharing the “rave” track from Side A ‘Toy Pianonono (For Raving)’ which you can listen to and download HERE.
The album came about, Smyth says, “after the birth of my nephew; I was so excited to introduce him to tha world of music–particularly electronica. That’s when the spark of inspiration hit and I thought ‘why not take the sounds of toy instruments, the tried and tested techniques of lullabies and combine them with lush soundscapes that both baby and parent could enjoy?’.”
Smyth says of the single released today: “I think ‘Toy Pianonono (For Raving)’ is the best taster of this album because it flips a typical lullaby-inspired song into a pitstop rave! It has the lullaby tropes of high pitches, repeated phrases and a rocking rhythm in the bass but this is all underpinned by a breakbeat filled with percussive sounds that babies make with their hands. The pounding on tables, rubbing and tapping are all in there. During research for the album I found out that babies’ heart rates beat 50% faster than ours so music to entertain them should reflect that (The Laughing Baby, Dr. Caspar Addyman), hence the fast-paced drum & bass influence on this one. Hopefully you like what you hear and can share a micro-rave with the little ones in your life!”
TRACKLISTING
1. Toy Pianonono (Before Raving)
2. Toy Pianonono (For Raving) [DOWNLOAD]
3. Toy Pianonono (Before Sleeping)
4. Toy Pianonono (For Sleeping)
5. Toy Kalimbarama (Before Raving)
6. Toy Kalimbarama (For Raving)
7. Toy Kalimbarama (Before Sleeping)
8. Toy Kalimbarama (For Sleeping)
Music For Babies To Rave And Sleep To, via Practise Music on 5 September 2025.
Album Cover Art | Credit: Max Halley