ALBUM REVIEW: “Kill Them With Kindness” by Beans on Toast

The man brimming with optimism and a perpetual happy smile on his face is back, as Benas on Toast returns with his new album “Kill Them With Kindness”, out now.

Beans On Toast (the stage name of British folk songwriter Jay McAllister) rose to prominence from the UK folk scene in 2005. A prolific writer, his latest album follows the tradition of releasing a new album every year on 1st December with his debut “Standing on a Chair” released on 1st December 2009, and his 18th album “Kill them with Kindness” out yesterday on 1st December 2025.

A prolific tourer too, Beans has been a regular at Glastonbury Festival having performed there every year since 2007.

Armed with his trusty acoustic, Beans is a folk singer born from the Billy Bragg mould, with observations and bringing light onto the injustices and chaos of modern life. But Beans is something of a unique beast, everything delivered with a beautiful and enviable sense of belief in his fellow humankind to grow and make things right. Songs about politics, rights, love, drugs, music – all delivered with a laugh, a tear or a smile.

Beans has an ability to tell truths about the world in an engaging way that isn’t condescending to his audience. The words may be powerful, but the music is graceful and delightful, written with passion, and emotion.

And the new album “Kill Them With Kindness” is no exception, covering subjects like the trauma experienced with tequila, cats, a love song to his wife, the state of US politics and state bureaucracy ! The album opens with The Great North Road, a classic folk vibe and a story about travelling round writing songs and playing them live – making art for the love of it. Joined by bass player / poet Bassie Gracie on vocals. Its mellow and relaxing, before bursting to life with a fiddle section leading into Gracie’s spoken word vocals about the joy of creating something special and living for the moment.

Gods, Children and Robots hits hard, a critical look at the state of world politics. Russia, China and the US and feeding the war machine, whilst the world suffers from conflicts and mass migration. The lyrics reflect and ask us the question “What would your children say about the state of the world today?”. Its poignant and moving.

Pelican Crossing takes a very different swipe at the state of the world, focusing on the crazy world of bureaucracy and the need to modernise and change things, or re-invent them for no apparent need, such as the nationwide changes to the Pelican Crossing, resulting in confusion and leaving Beans wondering why ? It worked fine !

While The Fall of the Establishment has a sadness to it. Having always railed against the establishment, he reflects on how the establishment is falling, and the world if descending into a madness. A lament for the kind world he always imagined we could have. But as always with Beans there is a hope, a belief that humankind can find that solution. It’s a beautiful, moving moment.

The album adds an air of lightness and fun with That’s Why I Don’t Drink Tequila Anymore, a lighthearted reflection on the evils of the worm and the trouble it’s landed him in. where he probably knows better but enjoys the fun of the story anyway.

In Taylor Swift For President, he reflects on the crazy world of US politics, and how change is needed. This one sits differently from the rest of the album, breaking into a loud, brash punk sensibility. Taking a seeming preposterous idea, and then articulating it brilliantly, explaining why Traylor Swift would make the ideal president, and could entertain us well. Our Cat is a wonderful light hearted moment, of self reflection, and his resistance and giving in to buy his daughter a Devon Rex cat. Beans ability to tell a story, weaving the lyrics round the music perfectly of how they bought the cat, and how the cat made an impact on him and finally admitting, it was a pretty good idea after all.

Another mellow personal moment as the album draws to a close with Happy Birthday Baby a romantic tribute to his wife, celebrating his love for his soulmate, reflecting on their memories and moments, their daughter and a house by the sea. The simplicity of the guitar backing adds to the emotion.

We end with Magicians and Outlaws, and the full band sound returns for this one, and it’s a celebration of everything about making music. It tells of tales of the journeys and miles travelled, the shows, the events they encounter and stories they create. Fundamentally, music is a force for good and can help make this world a better place.

Not a bad headline to end on.

Beans is a unique artist, despite all the madness in the world, the hatred, the anger and wars, he is someone who just oozes belief that the world can be good, and there is a future for us all, and most importantly….. that journey doesn’t have to be harsh or difficult, we can line that road to a brighter future with smiles, and laughter. It’s in us all to do it, and Beans will never stop beating that drum.

A wonderful album, balancing joy, sorrow and frustration….. but most implortantly hope – perfectly. A richly deserved 9.5 from LiveWire Music.