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.

EKM - Top 20 Kindie Songs for 2025

I've heard a lot of wonderful songs this year, far too many to mention in the short space I have available here. However, just for fun, I have managed to narrow them down to my absolute favourites. The list features some truly amazing artists from all around the world. So here they are (in alphabetical order): My Top 20 Kindie Songs for 2025.

1. Don't Worry - Joanie Leeds/Joya
2. Fire Trucks - Ms Moni
3. Four Seasons - Laurie Berkner Band/Lah Lah
4. Go Outside - Birds of a Feather/Suzi Shelton/Little Miss Ann
5. Go Outside - Kids Imagine Nation/Pevan and Sarah
6. H2Flow (Water Song) - Alphabet Rockers
7. HERStory (Anthem) - Flor Bromley
8. Hey! You Are My Person! - Jelly Bean Queen
9. Human - Kath Bee
10. I'm Good Enough - Heather Feather
11. Little Star - Francis England
12. Magic Trick - Maco Oey/Brady Rymer
13. Meant to Be - Team Dream
14. Out in the Garden - Suzy Cato/Peter Dasent
15. Powers - Teeny Tiny Stevies
16. Stargazer - Andy and the Odd Socks
17. Take Time - Imagination Movers
18. The Traffic Jam - Spaghetti Confetti
19. Tidy Up - Itty Bitty Beats
20. Wonderful Day - Claudia Robin Gunn

Album Review: Ageless: 100 Years Young – Joanie Leeds & Joya

Joanie Leeds is an NYC–based singer-songwriter with a truly impressive résumé. A Grammy-winning artist, early childhood educator, and perennial award-winner, she has been releasing thoughtful, joyful music since 2000. Her latest album, Ageless: 100 Years Young, is a loving tribute to her grandmother, weaving reflections on wisdom, kindness, and the simple truths that shape a life well lived. Featuring her daughter Joya, who contributes superb vocals throughout, the album radiates an uplifting, quietly defiant optimism. It embraces a worldview in which life, though challenging at times, remains an adventure to be savoured; where lessons learned inspire future generations, and where people, like a good wine, improve with age.

The album opens with the uplifting 'Don’t Worry', a jaunty, country-tinged groove that immediately sets the tone. Lovely violin lines weave throughout, adding additional warmth and grace. The song also includes bright melodies which blend seamlessly with meaningful sentiments along the way. Here, her vocals glisten and shine, gently reminding us not to worry, because of course 'worry worries you'. It’s a cheerful invitation to do your best and release what you can’t control. Despite its thoughtful subject matter, the song remains buoyant, framing life’s obstacles as no more than challenges that can be overcome. With the right attitude, we’re assured, 'every year just gets better'. 

The title track, 'Ageless', brings a tender shift in mood. Joined by her daughter Joya on vocals, the artist presents a beautifully intimate exchange between mother and child. Joya’s perspective on life, time, and immortality adds emotional depth, supported by sumptuous harmonies. The lyrics explore generational viewpoints with empathy, kindness, and understanding, celebrating the idea that while we age, we grow wiser – and that age, ultimately, is just a number.

'A, You’re Adorable' charms with nimble guitar work and a jazzy 1950s flair, transforming the alphabet into a playful stream of affirmations. Once again, Joya takes the lead vocally, introducing the song with warmth and confidence. Spirited, refreshing, and utterly charming, its strength lies in its sheer simplicity. The sparse arrangement gives the vocals space to shine, while the lyrical agility required to carry the message of each letter is handled with impressive ease.

'Born to Lead' leans back into a country vibe, buoyed by rich harmonies and spirited harmonica in turn. It delivers a confidence-boosting anthem for a world often short on self-belief. The reciprocal vocal interplay propels the song forward, and its relentless rhythm evokes the energy of a barn dance. A gear-shifting middle eight, featuring a striking vocal arrangement, hits its mark perfectly. It's also worth mentioning the harmonica work which is quite superb, adding an extra layer of melodic texture to the track.

'Grateful' provides a standout moment of reflection. Here, intricate acoustic guitar, elegant strings, and poetic vocals celebrate nature and the everyday miracle of life with quiet power. Gratitude becomes transformative as the artist gives thanks for the sun that brings warmth and light, the sea whose waves bring peace, and even the air we breathe, which is 'always there'. The song unfolds like a gentle hymn, paying homage to the natural world. Perhaps highlighting wonders we too often take for granted. 

'Curious' brings a somewhat heightened sense of pop sensibility and joyful awe to the party. Its piano-led arrangement and vibrant harmonica radiate both hope and discovery. Here, the artist, effortlessly shifts tempo and rhythm, demonstrating her stylistic versatility while keeping the listener fully engaged. The song in particular, champions the importance of curiosity and having an active mind. In doing so, the lyrics express the childlike impulse to ask 'how, when, who, where, and why'. This mindset, the song suggests, leads to deeper understanding of the wider world. The arrangement is particularly striking, with elongated notes at times, giving way to more percussive moments without ever disrupting the musical flow.

'Genealogy' adopts a rhythmic, almost spoken-word approach, mapping her family history with hypnotic flow and vocal precision. Laid-back and comfortable in its own skin, the song carries a certain innocent charm. It recounts her grandmother’s efforts to trace her family roots and shows how such journeys unite people, planting hope for the future. A surprising and emotionally resonant middle eight elevates the song further, while the tone remains consistent and assured throughout.

'Sweet Tooth' succeeds in lightening the mood with humour and warmth, celebrating life’s indulgences without guilt. The artist's eclectic culinary tastes – carrots drizzled with honey, chocolate cake, even 'honey cake for dinner' – are delivered at a pace that mirrors the relentless pursuit of candy. The result is warm, playful, and delightfully optimistic.

The emotional heart of the album arrives with 'Bubby', which provides a tender homage to the artist's grandmother. Here, acoustic guitar and subtle strings frame a song rich with love and gratitude for the grandparents who hold families together. With lyrical dexterity and melodic precision, the song is guaranteed to lift even the darkest moods. Perfect for family singalongs and reminiscing about life’s adventures, where 'Disney’s number one',  it is utterly charming.

The closing track, 'The Day Takes', draws on folk traditions to reflect on growing up, shared humanity, and the choices that shape our lives. Its buoyant melody and uplifting message linger long after the final note. A beautiful interpretation of Boris Fomin’s 20th-century Russian romance classic, the song captures the journey from childhood to adulthood and the wisdom and memories acquired along the way. It closes beautifully, with the final word given to Grandma herself, who delivers her own rendition with sweetness and grace.

In just under thirty minutes, Ageless: 100 Years Young delivers a heartfelt, life-affirming journey. It is a celebration of family, curiosity, gratitude, and joy – offering a generous dose of optimism in a challenging world. Here, love, courage, friendship, and hope form the perfect soundtrack for an extraordinary life, inspiring future generations along the way. Generous in spirit and brilliantly executed, the album demonstrates how Joanie Leeds’ music continues to grow richer and more engaging with every listen.

Joanie Leeds & Joya – a celebration of life.

Single Review: The Traffic Jam – Spaghetti Confetti

Spaghetti Confetti are relative newcomers to the children’s music scene, but they have quickly hit the ground running. In a short space of time, they have already released a string of excellent singles and delivered a number of crowd-pleasing, high-energy live performances across Sydney. In 2024, they received a nomination for Best Newcomer at the Australian Children’s Music Awards — no small achievement in such a highly competitive field. A band clearly on a mission, with a very talented line-up, their music has genuine whole-family appeal, and their infectious enthusiasm will surely carry them on to bigger and better things in the future.

Their recent single, 'The Traffic Jam', is quite superb. Featuring a shuffling beat, sparse yet effective guitar work, and a hypnotic trumpet line, the song lures the listener in with irresistible up-tempo charm. What follows is a clever and engaging musical introduction to road safety, delivered with both warmth and wit. The musical scansion is impressive, cramming a multitude of ideas into a richly descriptive verse that manages to inform without ever feeling didactic.

A smart feature of the song is its inclusive approach, teaching children to read traffic lights by position rather than just colour — an important consideration for those with Colour Vision Deficiency. It's a practical safety lesson delivered in a catchy and engaging way.

The track evolves almost like a freeze dance, with its stop-start arrangement encouraging children to halt completely at the red light before springing back into action when the green light appears. It’s a freeze dance in all but name, promoting movement, imagination and pure, unfiltered delight.

The chorus, in turn, acts as a colourful instruction manual to the road rules, with traffic lights described with unexpected eloquence, because, as the song reminds us, 'nothing’s more important than arriving safely'.

Spaghetti Confetti are an exciting new band who, on this form, would no doubt be great live. They have already crafted a sound that feels original and confident, although I suspect there may be a Ramones fan lurking somewhere in the band, and I have absolutely no problem with that! The musicianship is superb throughout, and I would hazard a guess that these are seasoned musicians who are on the very top of their game. They offer a refreshing blend of optimism and awareness, where learning is fun, life is celebrated, and safety is never an afterthought. Their music is upbeat, melodic, easy to dance to and provides a wonderful platform for kids to learn, move and express themselves. 

Spaghetti Confetti – it’s party time!