NEW YORK — YouTube stars Ms. Rachel and her husband, Aron Accurso, will release their debut album, “I’m So Happy,” a 23-track collection of children’s songs, on Sept. 25.
Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, said the album aims to help families connect through music while introducing young listeners to different instruments and musical styles.
“Music is such a wonderful way for people to bond, for parents to bond,” Ms. Rachel said. “We’re singing to them” from the time they are born.
Ms. Rachel, a music educator, launched her popular YouTube channel with Accurso in 2019. Accurso, known online as Mr. Aron, co-produced and principally arranged the album with Grammy Award winner Scott Riesett.
The album features songs from the couple’s show as well as childhood classics. Accurso said they expanded and reworked familiar songs with new arrangements and instrumentation.
The production involved 19 vocalists and 42 instrumentalists. Ms. Rachel said the album includes real instruments, including a clarinet on “Icky Sticky Bubble Gum.”
The collection also covers different musical genres. “I Love a Rainbow,” for example, uses a bossa nova arrangement, while their version of “Old MacDonald” draws from bluegrass.
Several songs also focus on early childhood development. “I Could Be Your Friend” teaches children language they can use to develop social skills, while other tracks address phonics, counting and emotions.
“We’re always thinking about all kinds of kids, whether they have disabilities, whether they’re autistic,” Ms. Rachel said. “We just want the world to feel like it’s helpful to all children.”
Accurso said the couple hopes families will listen to the album away from screens and use it for activities such as dancing together at home.
The album also comes as Ms. Rachel continues to use her social media platforms to advocate for children’s rights and humanitarian issues. She said she expects her advocacy work and the album to sometimes overlap.
“I view myself as an advocate for children’s rights so anytime they’re being violated by anyone anywhere, I want to be speaking out,” she said.
“I’m So Happy” will feature 23 tracks, including “I’m So Happy,” “I Love a Rainbow,” “Phonics,” “The Wheels on the Bus,” “Old MacDonald,” “Big Feelings” and “I Love You to the Moon.”
