Gym Class Heroes front man Travis "Travie" McCoy has finally released his long-awaited debut solo album, and it has the perfect summer flair to make it a hit.

Packed with upbeat songs, Lazarus opens with "Dr. Feel Good," which immediately introduces the listener to the mood of the album; a fun and laid-back mixture of pop-rock and hip-hop. Although Travie McCoy did this album apart from his band, the content is not surprisingly different from what one would expect from a Gym Class Heroes release. With that said, however, it's comforting to hear an already appreciated sound coming from a newly independent artist.

The most enjoyable part of Lazarus is McCoy's classic rapping style in songs such as "Akidagain" and the switch into a surprisingly good singing voice in "Need You." His utilization of both talents is what makes him quite a unique artist.

The album is not without flaws, however, and it was disappointing to hear auto-tune in yet another hip-hop release. T-Pain's familiar synthesized voice makes an appearance in "The Manual" and it takes some real tolerance to enjoy the rest of the song.

It's safe to say that Travie McCoy made a great summer album. It's diverse, simple, and just flat-out fun. So if you're looking for a new release to add to your collection of feel-good summertime hits, Lazarus can easily play the part.

Nathan Sheridan is a senior at Desert Academy. You can reach him at angrymoosegod@gmail.com.