With "Island Poetry", Boston outfit Mad Painter throw themselves headlong into the sprawling, theatrical spirit of 1970s rock. Led by songwriter, vocalist, and keyboardist Alex Gitlin alongside Al Hendry, Kenne Highland, Al Naha, Sharon Crumrine, and Julie Gee the band pushes roaring Hammond organ runs, layered vocal harmonies, and warm analog punch to the forefront, treating classic-era rock as a playground with no speed...

Okay, let’s tumble into Apryll Aileen's “Under My Tree,” shall we? It’s not your grandma’s sleigh-bell jingler, not by a long shot. Aileen, this classically-trained pianist, decides to cloak herself in a Christmas-themed R&B haze, like wrapping a finely-made watch in soft flannel. It’s the kind of thing that makes you tilt your head. https://open.spotify.com/track/6BBE2fTRte3f7HW7NZkTwm?si=JDkhIyolRLeIJS9r8m7PVA The song feels like staring at a snow globe, the tiny...