5 out of 5 stars
I was raised on “The Backyardigans.” I looked forward to those dancing animals and their many adventures every day, so as an older listener, I was shook when I woke up to a surprise drop from my special friends.
After blowing up on TikTok for their hit singles “Into The Thick Of It!” and “Castaways,” the Backyardigans decided to reunite. They brought heat across the album, journeying into various genres. From unpacking secret beef to reminiscing on favorite episodes, The Backyardigans have truly cemented their place in music history.
The Backyardigans released “Backyardiganagains” on March 28 through Top Dog Entertainment, the record label representing SZA and Kendrick Lamar. The album includes a whopping 46 songs and includes features from Nick Jr. legends Dora the Explorer, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! and Yo Gabba Gabba. Along with new songs, The Backyardigans remixed some of their classic songs from the series.
The album opens with a surprisingly adult intro, shocking the inner child in me. “Intro (Back for More)” is an upbeat hip hop duet between Uniqua and Pablo where the pair bounce off each other with quick lyrical delivery. I didn’t expect such powerful lyricism, but they’ve clearly used the last few years to practice.
Tyrone slows it down with “Backyard Friends,” a melodic ode to the simpler times when “The Backyardigans” first aired. Tyrone reminisces on the joy he experienced with his four friends. His reflection on their adventures brought tears to my eyes.
With “Stay Spying,” Pablo brings back the swag he showed us as an international super spy. The whispering intro saying, “Always expect the unexpected,” sent a shiver down my spine. Then, a prideful Pablo controlled the mic on a 2010s-sounding rap solo.
Tasha and Uniqua join forces for a dance pop super-collab on “Snack Time.” Their lyrics are quick and catchy over a KAYTRANADA beat, a shocking but fruitful collaboration. Troye Sivan and Charli XCX each served up a new verse for the song, creating a dance pop quad-fecta.
Tasha sings a soulful ballad titled “Forever Musketeers” halfway into the album. She seems to reflect on a falling out she had with a male group member — presumably Tyrone or Pablo, her costars in “The Three Musketeers.” Dora the Explorer joins Tasha with a soulful verse in Spanish, a wonderful crossover that rekindles their Nick Jr. history.
Uniqua’s “Pink After Party” guest stars Nicki Minaj in the pink lady collab of the century. Uniqua matches Minaj’s flow with style and expertise for a flashy girl rap duet. Yo Gabba Gabba remixed Uniqua’s “Lady in Pink” beat for the new hit.
The typically shy Austin held nothing back on “Mask Off (Retrieving).” After starring in the fewest episodes out of the group, Austin showed up with a vengeance. Fans speculated that his strict parents had something to do with his absence. The freestyle rap spits lyrical flames over a remix of Future’s “Mask Off,” where Austin accuses the other Backyardigans of excluding him saying, “Kangaroo, but I ain’t a fool / Left me out, blamed my parents too.”
“Die Playing” seems to squash whatever bad blood existed between the group. All five members sing their own pop-style verse showing love to other group members. On the chorus, the group sings “Keep playing ‘til the lights go out / I loved you then, still love you now.”
After the new songs, “Backyardiganagains” gave fans some remixes of beloved hits. “Castaways – Remix” features TDE artist SZA on a flawless verse about either being lost at sea, in a relationship or enjoying vacation … I can never tell with her.
“Into The Thick Of It! – Remix” featuring Nick Jr. co-star Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! stays true to the original, with vocal range and an adventurous tone.
For “Backyardigans” lovers and music aficionados alike, “Backyardiganagains” is a perfect album to add to the spring playlist. It is riddled with nostalgic hits and glimpses into The Backyardigans’ promising future. You’ll be glad to be back for more with your backyard friends, the Backyardigans.
Editor’s Note: Scribble is the satirical section of the Scribe.
The Backyardigans. Photo courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes.