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Winter Music Guide
14 albums by New England musicians to listen to this winter
Over the years, there have been recurring efforts by record labels and media outlets to promote a “Boston sound.” Depending on the decade, that supposed sound has been pop, hip-hop, R&B, indie rock or folk. And every attempt to put Boston music into a neat, marketable box has had something in common: Complete failure.
But while talent scouts never made us another Seattle or Austin, they ultimately did us a favor. As this album guide shows, Boston remains a place where strong musicianship and songwriting are greatly valued, whether you’re making jazz, Celtic-tinged folk, Sephardic Jewish melodies, educational hip-hop or steel pan-infused reggae. And that’s something we can be thankful for.
Cave In, 'Jupiter (25th Anniversary Reissue)'
Jan. 10
2025 marks not just the 30th anniversary of Boston’s Cave In, but also the 25th anniversary of the rock band’s album “Jupiter,” which brought a shift from its metalcore origins into a world of spacey but loud art-rock. At the time, Popmatters explained that lead singer Stephen Brodsky toned down the screaming heard on the group’s early records out of concern that he might wreck his voice — a prescient move considering the band’s longevity. Not everyone loved the change, but today the record is still critically adored and shows up on many lists of best metal and definitive post-hardcore albums. It’s now getting a 3-LP deluxe reissue that includes early demos of the songs as well as a live session that the band did on WBCN.
Jesse Ahern, 'Mercy'
Jan. 17
Rabble-rousing troubadour Jesse Ahern has earned an international following for his politically charged working-class roots rock — unsurprisingly he’s a favorite of fellow Bostonians the Dropkick Murphys, who’ve brought him on their tours and released his music on their label. “Mercy” finds Ahern adding a soul music setting to some of his anthems, revealing a songwriter who can be as passionate and pointed about his inner life as he is about the world at large. These times are perfectly captured in “Someday,” where Ahern admits that he’s “scared too,” but promises that “things will change/not today, but someday.”
Jesse Ahern & The Roots Rock Rebel Revue celebrate the album Jan. 25 at Boston Harbor Distillery.
Kat Wallace, 'Grand Design'
Jan. 24
Boston’s Kat Wallace stays busy as the fiddler for Rachel Sumner and Traveling Light, among numerous other projects. Now she’s stepping out with her own debut, full of captivating and beguiling acoustic songs about travel, destiny and the future of the world. As interesting as the lyrics are, Wallace gives them an especially warm delivery with her stellar musicianship — and, on some tracks, what sounds like a choir of friends who are singing along.
Kat Wallace celebrates the album release with a show at Club Passim on Jan. 24.
Dis-N-Dat Band, 'Iconic'
Jan. 29
One of the most special reggae/world music outfits in New England is Dis-n-Dat Band. The group, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary, is a pan-Caribbean explosion that combines the forces of champion steel pan player Sista Dee with renowned Jamaican drummer Rangotan, with a hearty dash of R&B on top. The band gigs constantly around New England, but has also been prolific in the studio, with a number of excellent LPs that emphasize their songwriting prowess. Dis-n-Dat’s unique blend comes in loud and clear on the group’s new offering, which fuses conscious lyrics with party tunes like “Roadblock.”
Dis-N-Dat Band celebrates Bob Marley’s birthday on Feb. 6 at The Stone Church in Newmarket, New Hampshire.
Heather Maloney, 'Exploding Star'
Jan. 31
Western Mass. singer-songwriter Heather Maloney freely admits that she didn’t intend for her audiences to ever hear the songs on “Exploding Star.” The tunes were written as a personal musical therapy after the death of her father. The songs that flowed out were so sincere and, in many ways, universal that Maloney’s friends and family talked her into turning her own catharsis into this powerful piece of art.
Heather Maloney celebrates the album with a Feb. 13 show at Club Passim.
Falsely Accused, 'Unbroken'
Jan. 31
They say write what you know. A harrowing road rage/robbery incident experienced by bassist and vocalist Matt Tavano of the Boston trio Falsely Accused inspired a searing song called “Witches.” The message couldn’t be more clear as Tavano repeats his feelings toward the other driver: “I’ll see you in hell.” It’s on the band’s upcoming EP, an offering of intelligent modern rock where compelling lyrics are front and center. Mike Azzolino, drums/percussion and backup vocals, and Mark Young, guitars and backup vocals, round out this high-octane trio.
Paul Willis, 'Hip Hop Leadership'
Early February
Paul Willis isn’t just one of Boston’s most thoughtful hip-hop artists. He’s also a tireless educator and activist who believes that hip-hop can inspire youth and bring about positive change. That mission has led to “Hip Hop Leadership,” which is an album, a book and an educational curriculum. Each of the 10 tracks represents a chapter, like “Authenticity and Self-Expression” and “Storytelling and Empathy.” A plethora of Boston talent lend their voices, including Brandie Blaze, Maceyomaze and Red Shaydez. Even if you’re not using this record as a teaching tool, it’s music that inspires, uplifts and delights.
Darren Barrett, 'db-ish: Straight Vibesss'
Feb. 7
Darren Barrett may be a Jamaican-Canadian trumpeter based in Boston, but he spent much of the ‘90s in New York at a time when hip-hop and R&B greats like D’Angelo and J Dilla were starting to make a significant imprint on younger jazz players that continues to this day. Barrett pays tribute to that era while also looking forward on this collection of five relatively lengthy tracks that feature both live drums and machines programmed by Barrett. While most of the tunes start off with deceivingly smooth grooves, they end up in surprising, and often disarming, places.
Debo Ray, 'Debo Ray'
Feb. 14
Given the impact that Debo Ray and her dazzling voice have made on the local music scene, it’s a bit surprising that the singer is releasing her debut LP this winter. Ray is an exceptionally versatile artist who routinely gigs everywhere, from rarified jazz rooms to rock dives, always with a set tailored for the setting. Based on the several soulful singles that have been released so far — “Now You’re Here,” “Feelin’ Lucky” and “Gaslight” — Ray’s first record will be chock full of assertive fresh-sounding R&B anthems written with her collaborators Jerry Velona and local legend Prince Charles Alexander and delivered with some appealingly jazzy flair.
Max Wareham, 'Daggomit!'
Feb. 21
Boston banjo player Max Wareham has been busy touring around the country as a member of bluegrass legend (and Wayland native) Peter Rowan’s band and with his own National Bluegrass Team, and he’s also written a biography of banjo pioneer Rudy Lyle. Now he’s putting out an impressive debut record that mixes blistering instrumental breakdowns with some vocal tunes (including one sung by Rowan, who also produced the album). Wareham proves himself to be an innovative player who is also deeply informed by bluegrass history, and he’s got an A-list band that includes superpickers like David Grier, Laura Orshaw, Mike Bub and Punch Brother Chris Eldridge. And he’s got what might be the first-ever bluegrass tune inspired by the Boston Bruins: “The Black & Gold.”
Max Wareham and the National Bluegrass Team celebrate the album release on April 1 at Lily P’s Fried Chicken and Oysters in Cambridge.
Canyons and Locusts, 'The Goal Gigolo'
Feb. 21
The duo of drummer Amy Young and guitarist-singer Justin Keane prove that a lo-fi rock sound can be the vehicle for high-concept material with a strong punch. After their 2024 EP "The Red Angel," the pair is returning with a concept record. Keane describes it as the story of an antihero protagonist who “made some bad decisions and has gotten himself into trouble trying to help people in his new location.” In the album’s mysterious first single, that central character is pleading with someone named Anna to “save someone’s life — not necessarily his.”
Travels With Brindle, 'No. 1 in Heaven Starring Travels with Brindle'
March 7
Did you know you can record an album at the main branch of the Boston Public Library? Happily, Chelsea Spear did — but that’s perhaps the least unique thing about this recording. Spear, who performs as the one-woman ukulele outfit Travels With Brindle, attempted and more than succeeded with the outrageous task of making a solo record out of Sparks’ cult electro-disco classic “No. 1 in Heaven.” With nothing more than her charming voice, her uke, her finger-snapping and some torn paper acting as percussion, Spear gives a very late 1970s record a surprisingly timeless feel and successfully pulls off this musical feat without ever making it sound gimmicky.
Kantika, 'Kantika'
Later in 2025
Kantika means “song” in Ladino, the language of the Sephardic Jews who trace their ancestry to the community which was expelled from Spain in 1492. UNESCO has declared Ladino an endangered language, but the spellbinding Boston singer Tutti Druyan is looking to keep Ladino musical culture alive with this project that includes both traditional Sephardic tunes and newly composed English lyrics. It’s a family affair: Israeli native Druyan is joined by her husband, the great Puerto Rican saxophonist Edmar Colón, and her brother Shaqed Druyan, the drummer for reggae rockers Crooked Coast.
Editor's note: After publication, the release of this recording was postponed to later in 2025.
SeeFour, 'Spirit of a Warrior Deluxe'
Winter
2024 was a big year for Boston hip-hop in no small part thanks to SeeFour. The lyrically dexterous MC’s constant hustle catapulted to national attention when he appeared on Netflix’s Rhythm & Flow, making it all the way to the battle round. Now he’s celebrating with a deluxe version of his epic 2023 “Spirit of a Warrior” LP, which WBUR contributor Noble called one of the best local albums of that year, praising its “roller coaster of feelings and thoughts.” The Gib DJ-produced record already had 16 tracks to begin with, and now the deluxe edition adds six new tracks and one bonus track.
This article was originally published on January 13, 2025.
