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.

EP Review: Come Along With Me — The Jackie Papers

The Jackie Papers are a relatively new band from Georgia, USA, who make music that promotes kindness and well-being for listeners of all ages. They also, in a technological age, highlight the importance of physical movement, fresh air, and the type of old-fashioned games that can't be found on an IPad. Their latest release, Come Along With Me, offers a confident introduction to their sound, blending pop sensibility with warmth, creativity, and just enough edge to keep things interesting.

The EP opens with ‘Keep on Walking’, a gentle yet captivating track built around a sultry vocal and sparse acoustic guitar. As the song unfolds, subtle layers of instrumentation drift in and out, creating an engaging, minimalist atmosphere that rewards repeated listens. This is a track about individual empowerment, where the lyrics encourage the young listener to 'keep on walking' despite life's setbacks.

'Hide and Seek in the Dark’ brings a certain playful energy to the proceedings, bouncing along with raw abandon. Here, an additional female lead vocal is introduced, providing just a hint of the musical depth of the band. Slightly tongue-in-cheek, the track builds toward a chorus that bursts into life, reimagining a famous childhood game with a clever and original twist. The lyrics are largely descriptive, providing a unique narrative to the intricacies involved in such games. This includes finding the 'perfect spot' to hide, coming 'ready or not' or the need to 'run because we cannot hide'.

'The Recess Bell’ introduces some crunching guitars, which somehow manage to blend seventies new wave with surf-rock influences slightly reminiscent of The Beach Boys.  A near-stop towards the end gives way to a quiet refrain, adding a reflective close to an otherwise energetic track. Once again, the array of sounds is quite extraordinary, with the unexpected arrival of a harmonica toward the end adding even greater potency to the overall sound.

Last by not least is the enticing ‘Come Along With Me', a song once again driven by some formidable bass and drums, laying the foundations for the instrumentation to really shine. Direct and confident, the song provides an invitation for young people to step outside and truly embrace the beauty of nature. The song concludes with an excellent guitar outro executed with Robert Fripp–style precision. 

Overall, this is an impressive release from a band at ease carving out their own space, with a unique and original sound. Their music somehow manages to cross the divide, mixing paradoxes together with consummate skill. Gentle yet intense, light yet brooding, but always engaging. Perhaps most crucially, the band encourages young people to get outside, breathe in the fresh air and live in the moment. They have in their short time together already created a sound that deserves your attention, and on this form I'm sure there's a lot more to come. Watch this space.

The Jackie Papers — raw power.

Video Review: Buddy Bench — Stacy and Athena

I first discovered Stacy and Athena back in 2021 when I reviewed their standout debut album Best Day Ever. Since then, the duo has been very active in the world of children's music and education creating the inspiring Kids Empowerment Program, alongside a steady stream of new music releases. Their ethos is simple: creating a kinder world through song and dance, while taking care of the planet along the way. 

Their most recent single, 'Buddy Bench', is a bright, emotive slice of pop-rock that radiates positivity throughout. The vocals take centre stage, as the song effortlessly soars and serenades with sumptuous harmonies and delightful melodies, inviting us all to 'make everything all right'. The song provides anthemic appeal, and features some truly superb musicianship along the way. With pulsating bass and drums providing the required space for the keyboards and guitar to really shine.

The song is also paired with a charming new video that tells the story of a lonely boy who finds friendship after discovering a 'buddy bench' in the park. What begins as a single connection soon grows, as additional children are invited to join in the fun. This sense of togetherness is beautifully mirrored in nature, with birds flocking together in the trees. The video concludes with both children and birds united in spirit, floating off into the distance to enjoy what we can only imagine is a happier future.

"Buddy Bench" is a fabulous song because it delivers a meaningful message for children, through emphasising the importance of reaching out to peers who may be feeling lonely or unhappy. It is a song of friendship, hope, and kindness within the community. This message matters, because not every child gets to enjoy recess, and sometimes all they need is a helping hand. If we all reached out just a little more, the world would undoubtedly be a happier place.

The animation is superb, bursting with vibrant colours and imagery that perfectly complement the music. The inclusion of children playing hand-clapping games helps to mirror and amplify the track's percussive rhythms, creating a playful visual echo of the sound.

This is a delightful release from a formidable duo who continue to make huge inroads into the world of children's music. Through their inspiring music and thoughtful visuals, Stacy & Athena capture the true importance of kindness and caring in today's world.  Emphasising what Roald Dahl once famously declared how kindness was 'the number one attribute in a human being'. Be kind, absolutely; but Stacy & Athena also reveal how much fun it can be when you care and share with others.

Stacy & Athena — we're all in this together.

Album Review: A Non Fiction Fairytale — Twinkle Time

It's been a while, but she's back: the irrepressible Twinkle Time, has returned to the recording sphere with a brand-new album, A Non Fiction Fairytale. The album is literally bursting with renewed energy and positivity for the new year. Once again, she has put together a collection of upbeat, danceable, lyrically potent, and optimistic songs. With a sound that never lets up, Twinkle spells out her message with boundless enthusiasm and drive. Watch out for this one.

The album kicks off in style with the superb 'WOW U N 2 Wonder'. A unique collaboration, it introduces the Microphone Doctors, who add their own brand of didactic mayhem to the proceedings. Superb bass playing anchors the track throughout, while cleverly used space allows an array of additional sounds to swirl around the groove, adding even more controlled chaos to the mix.

'I Scream POP' lifts the tempo further with its exciting, catchy refrain, while 'You Just Gotta Dream Big', though more restrained, still packs plenty of punch. 'Truth' brings a hypnotic vibe that steadily builds in intensity. Here, the message takes centre stage, as metaphor and dance-floor energy combine to deliver the killer line: 'that's where the truth calls out your name'.

'Faith' slows things down slightly  and showcases some extraordinary  musicianship, while 'Fly' is even more subdued — a heartfelt ballad that provides a welcome change of pace. Here vocals soar gently over melodic piano and truly melancholy strings, adding emotional depth to the album.

Things ramp back up with 'A Super Hero', a track driven by an unrelenting groove.  Here minimal bass locks in with guitar work that Alex Van Halen would surely have admired. Shades of Living Colour and Michael Jackson's 'Beat It' shine through, while keeping things punchy, fun, and accessible for younger listeners.

My absolute favourite track is, perhaps unsurprisingly, 'My Destiny'. It takes things up another notch with a riff that wouldn't sound out of place on a Led Zeppelin record, blended seamlessly with a groove that makes you want to dance all night. It's a truly extraordinary mix of sounds, with empowering lyrics that encourage children to believe in themselves — especially the importance of staying 'true to who you are'.  Here personal destiny is explored with confidence and joy, leaving the listener both inspired and, as the song suggests, 'unbreakable'.

The album closes with the wonderful 'I Just Wanna Dance'. Once again, the bass playing is outstanding, supported by sparse acerbic rhythms that add depth and intensity throughout.  The musicality revealed shades of perhaps Chic, or Carlos Alomar on the way. The title says it all, and the track delivers fully on its promise: when life gets you down, music is always there. A brilliant guitar solo closes the album, proving that music shredding isn't reserved for rock bands alone.

All in all, this is a wonderful comeback from an intriguing artist, who although being very active on the live circuit, hasn't released any new music for a while. Twinkle Time once again makes music with a message that's cool, melodic, and irresistibly danceable. Blending the best of the seventies and eighties with a contemporary edge, this album is sure to be a huge hit with kids.

Also, be sure to check out the video above, which shows Twinkle Time strutting her stuff with all the expertise she's become renowned for. A fabulous return from a standout artist from the USA.

Twinkle Time — unbreakable.