Album Review: Just Want to Be Me — Mishy Katz

Mishy Katz is a singer-songwriter, musician, and visual artist whose music blends folk, pop, and rock, with both heart and imagination. Since 2018, the artist has been creating original music, delighting listeners with thoughtful lyrics, catchy melodies, and a creative spirit that shines through every song. Her latest album, Just Want to Be Me, is a special project dedicated to her mother, who always encouraged her to make a children's album. She has certainly succeeded, having created a superb collection featuring thirteen new songs guaranteed to hit the mark. If you are a fan of Edie Brickell, the Carpenters or Simon & Garfunkel, then you'll love this album, and I'm sure your kids will too.

The opening track is the fabulously funky 'We Ain't Got That', a positive celebration of life and love perceived here as life's great equaliser. The track bounces along with irresistible charm, built on a simple but highly effective arrangement: introducing a tight rhythm section jamming alongside what sounds like a ukulele, with additional strings adding both atmosphere and warmth. 

If you're looking for music to get the kids up and moving, then 'All Wound Up' is the perfect choice. Its upbeat optimistic lyrics  search for 'a light in the dark' paired by a soundtrack that feels 'wound up tighter than a spring'. There's an almost disco-like flavour here, with hints of Madonna-esque pop on display, including a noticeable techno edge, and an esoteric electric guitar weaving magic in the background. The rhythm section is relentless, driving in uncompromising intensity from start to finish.

Variety is another real strength on this album, with Katz often lightening the mood through playful experimentation. 'My Sock is Broke' is hilariously descriptive, full of clever rhyming couplets, as we are informed  'my foot is going to get cold, because the material just won't hold'. 'How To Play a Kazoo' walks us through the trials of learning a new instrument in a conversational style punchy and direct. The title track, 'Just Want to be Me', emphasises the importance of self-acceptance and achieves this with delightfully bizarre references to bats, bug, and flies. 

'Something Yummy to Eat' captures the universal pangs of hunger and the frustration of not always been able to eat when you so desire. Along the way children are reminded that 'nutrition is your fuel', and 'a good meal brings renewal'. It is, in essence, a celebration of one of life's most underrated pleasures — a truly charming song that manages to introduce complex scansion while remaining effortlessly easy on the ear.

'Little Bits of Magic' is a delightful ditty that celebrates the importance of gratitude and appreciation for the simple things in life. Here, a shuffle beat jams along with an imaginative bass line, creating the necessary space for piano and guitar to chop away in the background. The song also features some fabulous harmonies, providing further depth and momentum. The expansive chorus unfolds as a gentle singalong, joyfully celebrating the small things  'that lighten up my life'.

The hypnotic 'Too Many Mice' takes on a darker and more mischievous turn. Built around a staccato beat, it carries an almost sinister charm as an 'army of mice' are set to 'invade'. As the narrative unfolds, increasingly dramatic solutions are proposed, including the tossing around of 'a butchers knife'. While such imagery may seem somewhat controversial on a children's album, it worked wonders for Roald Dahl in the past — and the song no doubt taps into that same deliciously dark appeal.

The album also makes room for moments of tenderness. 'Lavender Lullaby' is a standout ballad, where keyboards and some of the most beautiful vocals you are every likely to hear take centre stage. 'My Promise to You' is awash with melody, buoyed by exquisite harmonies that captivate and delight in turn. It's a song centred on kindness, its gentle musical backdrop perfectly mirroring the message. Here, Katz's vocals reminded me a little of Dido at her best, culminating in the emotional line, 'promise me to your heart you'll be true'. Simply brilliant.

My personal favourite is the magnificent 'Shine a Brighter Light', a song overflowing with optimism. Its alluring melody is supported by a sparse arrangement that gently nudges the song forward. Nostalgic references tug at the heartstrings as Katz reflects on magical memories and the importance of family connection. 

'Rainbow Dream' is an absolute delight. The song serenades the soul with imagery as tender as 'a butterfly kiss', celebrating freedom and the miracle of childhood. Its lyrics beautifully remind adult listeners that while some of us believe miracles don’t exist, for children, every day can feel like a miracle. Where for a fleeting moment, they get to 'live in a rainbow dream' before the harsher realities of life inevitably appear.

The album closes with the acoustic 'I’ll See You Soon', offering a gentle farewell to the proceedings. When Katz sings 'I love you' with such heartfelt conviction, you believe every word. The raw acoustic guitar lends an intimacy that suggests the song was played straight from the heart, untouched by any unnecessary production, providing a deeply moving and fitting conclusion to a truly extraordinary album.

Mishy Katz is an outstanding artist — a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and poet in all but name. Her gentle melodic beauty captivates throughout, and having heard countless albums over the past decade, for me this one stands out among the very best. Alongside artists such as Claudia Robin Gunn and Laurie Berkner, Katz proves herself to be a truly gifted artist. I'm genuinely surprised that, with such talent on display, she hasn’t yet been picked up by the so-called experts of the music industry. Maybe she isn't interested, and is simply happy to write and perform the music, who knows?

Her songs overflow with joy, curiosity, and kindness, inviting families to sing, dance, and dream together. Thankfully, she continues to collaborate with fellow musicians, bringing her colourful musical world to life in ever more meaningful ways. I was absolutely blown away by this album — it was a privilege to review and a powerful reminder that if you dig a little deeper, there is extraordinary talent out there just waiting to be discovered.

Mishy Katz — magical music.