Strange Machines Stoke the Fire with New Album Playing With Fire

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Published on October 7, 2025

Strange Machines Stoke the Fire with New Album Playing With Fire

With their latest release, Strange Machines transform their live energy into a studio flame, delivering a record that burns with funk, groove, and raw rock energy.

The Boston-born, New England–based band has made their mark on the East Coast jam scene with their vibrant live shows and a sound that blends many genres into something distinctly their own. Playing With Fire captures that same live spirit in the studio across twelve tracks that move effortlessly between tight rhythms, free flowing jams, and textured soundscapes.

Early in the album comes “Time to Go”, a funky, inviting track that immediately pulls you in with Mike MacDonald’s guitar work before anything else. His soulful playing sets the tone, leading into vocals that blend seamlessly with jam-filled breaks. MacDonald’s voice sits front and center, supported by Christian Perron’s playful keys, Craig Holland’s deep bass, and Ryan Clausen’s driving drums. The line “When you feel like it’s all gone nothing / gather up the pieces / it’s time to go” lands with emotional weight as the band builds a groove that keeps you locked in until the final note.

Between its lyrics and instrumentals, Playing With Fire thrives on its jam-driven identity. The trio of “Jerome” interludes — Monolith, Two of a Kind, and The Rule of 3 — add darker, moodier layers to the album. Each acts as a short yet powerful bridge, breaking up the vocal songs with bursts of instrumental intensity. These pieces highlight Strange Machines’ ability to shift tone and experiment with sound, bringing in rock, ambient, and psychedelic elements that show just how many directions they can take their music.

“Step Outside” changes the pace, beginning with a lighter guitar while finding its groove through Clausen’s steady drums and Perron’s keys. MacDonald’s vocals float over Holland’s steady bass, and together the rhythm section gives the song an effortless flow. The lyric, “You best hold on to whatever you can find / rising tide pushing us to come all out and step outside your mind,” shows the album’s reflective spirit perfectly.

STRANGE DAYS 2025 will also be their ALBUM RELEASE PARTY!
STRANGE DAYS 2025 will also be their ALBUM RELEASE PARTY!

Playing With Fire captures Strange Machines at a peak moment, blending their groove and rock instincts into a cohesive and compelling listen. It’s a fresh snapshot of a band continuing to evolve while staying true to the live energy that defines them — a record that rewards repeat plays and leaves you wanting to experience it live.


Playing With Fire Track List

Parasite

Time to Go

Playing With Fire

Jerome (Monolith)

Tektonic

Tunnel Vision

Jerome (Two of a Kind)

Cornerstone

Moose Soup

Step Outside

Jerome (The Rule of 3)

Side to Side

Catch Strange Machine live this fall:

Oct 10–12: Strange Days 2025 – Newmarket, NH

Nov 15: Arch Street Tavern –  Hartford, CT

Nov 21: State Theatre – Portland, ME

Dec 5: Putnam Place – Saratoga Springs, NY

Dec 6: Higher Ground – South Burlington, VT

Dec 20: The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub – Cambridge, MA

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