Jim E. Brown is not the Hall of Fame running back at O’Brien’s Pub.

“Blues” as in sad vibes, not so much as in the genre.

Five bands make a fest at O’Brien’s Pub.

Dreamy, jangly post punk with an anxious edge.

Noise punk adventurism.

Odyssey ref!

Dropping tracks left and right.

Collected Works: all the reviews from The New Colossus Fest 2025.

From TikTok to a stage near you.

2025 Preview: Boston’s biggest music fest named after a Clash album.

Percussion like you’re chasing down a film noir villain.

A medium tempo art rock rambler.

This is the obvious song choice to write up.

There’s no more experiment in “experimentalism” — who cares?

A slow starter.

Santa has an online gambling addiction.

I picked this track because the title is short.

Intricate Mouse Work put on their lab coats at Midway Cafe.

Orla Gartland is a Shrek 2 fan at Paradise Rock Club.

Shades of Seal’s “Kissed By a Rose” on the intro.

Take your pick from a bowl of two-minute long mixed nuts.

Paul Karsen closes out a hip hop showcase at The Jungle.

Clean and squimmish, at a human tempo made for footwork.

Jade Dust confesses “It’s not easy being green” at Cambridge Community Center.

The debut release from New Haven’s Heatsync Records.

Midwestern troubadours sample the sandwiches at Deep Cuts.

An energizing lyrical refrain.

A jangly, whispy pop surprise.