The fourth album from the Philadelphia-based music trio Ants on a Log is a celebratory, affirming exploration of gender identity, gender expression, and queer families.
The album features songs from the original musical of the same title, written by Ants members Julie Be and Miles Crabtree, two trans and nonbinary music therapists. They are joined on the album by the third Ant, elementary science teacher Anya Rose, and a variety of guests, including Lucas Paquette, Martronimous, Miles Wilcox, Lauren Parker, and Dean Jones on Wurlitzer and other tiny sounds), Carrie Ferguson, and Lavender Blues.
The music covers a range of genres and styles, making this an album that even adults won’t tire of when the kids have it on repeat. (And heck, there wasn’t music like this when we were kids; I suspect some of us grown-ups will have it on repeat, too.)
- “Rainbow Seekers” opens the album as the Rainbow Seekers swoop in with their rainbow capes (and a dance party) to bring all the colors of the rainbow to the neighborhood, encouraging listeners to let their true selves show!
- “Some Girls Have Short Hair” (2024 Mix) was originally part of the Ants’ album You Could Draw the Album Art, and makes a happy return here. In addition to the titular observation, the grooving song also notes that “some boys have long hair” and “some nonbinary kids have that really cool haircut where it’s shaved on one side and kinda longer on the other.” (You know the one!)
- “River’s Coming Over” is a punk-pop ode to a nonbinary role model coming over to visit a nonbinary child, who is clearly excited about being able to play with someone who doesn’t see them in terms of a girl or a boy. (Featuring Evan Greer and Fureigh.)
- “The History of Blue and Pink,” featuring Grammy winners the Alphabet Rockers, is a melodic hip hop track dispelling the myth that blue has always been for boys and pink for girls—or that those colors have to be used that way now.
- “Terry the Nonbinary Canary” tells the story of the titular avian, who likes to dress up in costumes. It’s a silly folk-jazz song, which the album notes suggest you sing to practice they/them pronouns!
- “They’re My Best Friend” (2024 Mix) was the first song on national radio with all nonbinary pronouns. It also appeared on the multi-artist Trans and Nonbinary Kids Mix produced by Julie Be, and on the Ants’ Make It Myself. This updated version includes a sing-along portion featuring Carrie Ferguson and Lavender Blues. It’s a sweet song in which a friend’s nonbinary identity is just a part of who they are, and seamlessly accepted.
- “Moppa,” featuring Austin-based family music band Strawbitty Yops and Lindz Amer of Queer Kid Stuff, is a gentle, bedtime-worthy tune in which children address their nonbinary parents, using a variety of parental names, including Moppa, Baba, Zeze, Renny, and Maddy (with a mention of niblings as well). I’m thrilled to see these names that reflect some of the names (nonbinary and otherwise) that more than 400 real LGBTQ parents have submitted to The Mombian LGBTQ Parental Names Project. (Add your own!)
- “My Suspenders” is a boppy earworm (you’ve been warned!) that features trans and nonbinary children’s voices answering the question, “What clothing makes you feel most like yourself?”
Each of the songs is terrific in its own way; “Moppa” particularly hit me in the feels because of how it simply overflows with the love between children and parents. Nonbinary and gender creative kids and those with nonbinary parents may particularly appreciate the album, but really, with so many kids today having nonbinary or gender creative friends and relatives, this is an album with important and empowering messages for everyone. And I still have “My Suspenders” stuck in my head….
Mixed and produced by Julie Be and Dean Jones. Recorded by Julie Be, drum recording by Jackie Milestone. Kids on “My Suspenders”: Simone, Alex, Atticus, Max.
