Igniting with no apologies, the Connecticut collective known as The Burning Sensations debut with a self-titled album that does not take itself all that seriously, and that is its appeal. The opening track “Wanting More” has a bite to it, why with its sharp-lingering guitar chords, slithery bassline, and playful vocal delivery, it is wide open to listener interpretation: funky, alternative, retro—take your pick. Tracks like “Murky Water” have a tinge of that same theatricality and over-the-top vocal delivery that shot Modest Mouse to fame at the start of the new millennium. “Sensitive Guys” is as hilarious as it is tragic, and “Do Me” is upbeat and tough with its rock edge. Overall the album introduces the band with clarity because the group’s sound is well-established, and that is a great selling point. Listen to the cool and groovy guitar in “Sweat Wiper” from the new record below. - Rene Cobar

Goose, the band from Norwalk, Connecticut, surprised with a year-end single so fun it had to save it for last. The year-closing single “Wysteria Lane” is funky with its smooth ‘70s guitar riffs, hot bassline, and reverberating vocals that evoke a festive feel. Known for its excellent live performances, Goose is a group that injects that communal feel into each piece, and this new single is no different: close your eyes, turn up the volume and feel the vibe so lively. The final seconds of the track are exquisite; the overall composition is primed for a solid live showing to come. Stream the new track below to kick off your weekend right. - Rene Cobar

As he does all things, Fantastic Negrito is celebrating the end of decade in style. The singer combines passionate blues meets soul meets R&B and is a performer you won’t want to miss. Fantastic Negrito is playing a two-night residency at The Chapel, concluding with a New Year’s Eve show. What a way to end a decade and what a forceful way to start the new year. Here’s a taste of some of his latest work, featuring blind dancer Odil Gerfaut. Presented by Folk Yeah, get your tickets now. -Lucille Faulkner

For listeners familiar with Fire in the Field’s funky and upbeat style, a sonic treat awaits, surprisingly tame but deeply wild. “Jimmy Rover” showcases the band’s appreciation for the slow-cooking nature of the blues as it lets its normally dance-inducing guitar riffs build slowly, ripping on occasion to smooth vocals from lead singer Mike Moore who is committed to storytelling. As the guitar solos shred, at high-voltage, one is reminded of the band’s old-school passion and youthful energy: Fire in the Field has a strong essence of classic rock. During the song’s final breakdown, the bass and drums lock-in even in their euphoric state to complement the song, which echoes the beauty and grit of Chicago blues. Recorded, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Jay Frigoletto at Oak Hill Music in Brookline, NH, this latest single by the band offers something wholly different from its usual style, but remains a track that fits perfectly into the band’s archives. We are thrilled to premiere “Jimmy Rover” for you below; catch Fire in the Field at Bishop’s Lounge in Northampton, MA, on Dec 14th. - Rene Cobar

Almost as if you were there, well, you kind of are, the music of New Haven Connecticut’s Eggy oozes out of your preferred listening device, rich and runny in its latest record Live at Nectar’s 11​.​1​.​19. The band calmly and confidently plays signature tracks form its latest record Watercolor Days: sweet funk songs like “Graceless” and “Golden Gate Dancer” create an atmosphere that is both fun and intimate; surely Nectar’s, the music venue in Burlington, VT, and its crowd did not mind. The production, as is typical for Eggy’s live albums, is excellent, and one can fully immerse in the music without ever feeling detached from the live setting. We recommend this latest entry for fans of the jam-band feel this group deploys. The band is on tour, but it returns to Orlando’s in Burlington, VT, on December 14th for those that want to experience the fun live. Stream “In It For The Ride” below and dive right into the moment. - Rene Cobar, photo by Miles Hurley