Genre-blending New England prog-jammers Strange Machines show just how far they’ve come with their third full-length studio album, Playing With Fire.
This is not just another jam record. Playing With Fire speaks to mental turbulence, intense emotions and feelings, but by the end softens its worldview to find light in the darkness of the human experience.
Recorded at The Barn in Middlebury, CT, and produced by former drummer Isaac Civitello, Playing With Fire captures the band at a creative high point. “He knows us, he knows what we want to sound like, and I think that’s a big part of why this album came out so good,” guitarist Mike MacDonald said. “It awakened something in all of us—this feeling that we have this creative space with our old bandmate and best friend where the vibe is effortless, and we can make music in a way we never have before.”
Mastered by John Naclerio at Montgomery, NY’s NADA Recording Studio and wrapped in striking artwork by Joe Martinez (Tortuga Design Studio), the album threads together moments of chaos, resilience, and transformation, pushing the band’s sound into new, more mature territory.
The album launches its journey with the opening track, “Parasite”. A slow-building pulse cracks open into a headbanging, foot-stomping groove, with electronic keys weaving through pounding drums and bass. The song locks into a hypnotic jam, exploring the idea of a “parasite” thought that refuses to let go, mirroring its lyrical hook, “When it falls down, you’re still lassoed to my brain.” It’s raw, gripping, and instantly relatable—an opening that pulls listeners in from the first beat.
“Time to Go” rides a fluid groove and delivers some of the band’s most mature lyricism yet. The words hit harder than before, carried on winding jam sections that feel playful and purposeful.
“Playing With Fire”, the title track, stands out as the album’s boldest experiment. With horn contributions from Mike Bafundo (Mihali/West End Blend) and Lee Ross, the song explodes into a brass-fueled chorus of trumpet and saxophone that makes it nearly impossible not to move. Lyrically and sonically, it channels that reckless rush—the feeling of being unafraid to dance too close to the flame, pulling listeners to that electric edge where danger and freedom meet.
“Jerome (Monolith)” ventures into tight, exploratory territory with layers of keys and percussion, while “Tektonic” kicks the tempo up a notch—funky keys, quick-fire lyrics, and sharp instrumentation that spiral down unexpected side paths. It’s the sound of a band that truly meshes.
“Tunnel Vision” starts with a reflective verse—“I’ve seen it all before a couple thousand times”—and dives deep into the claustrophobic feeling of being stuck inside your own head. The build is relentless, heavy, and cathartic, before softening at the end—a sonic metaphor for finding your way out of the “tunnel.”
Trippy vocals and meditative rhythms set the stage for one of the album’s funkiest jams, “Moose Soup”. This is the kind of track you can get lost in—where Strange Machines’ chemistry is on full display, dancing between funky electronic beats and heavier rock textures.
“Step Outside” offers a message of hope and resilience. “You best hold on to whatever you can find,” they sing over a softer groove, encouraging listeners to weather life’s storms and hold gratitude for even the smallest things. The line “Bleed it out, find a way” shines a beacon for anyone feeling lost, offering quiet strength and encouragement. Emotional depth like this isn’t always common in the jam scene—and it’s a big part of what makes Playing With Fire stand out.
The band closes with a warm, uplifting finale. “Side to Side” ties the whole journey together with the simple but powerful message, “You’ll take it all back when you finally find your reason.” After 12 tracks, it feels earned.
More than anything, Playing With Fire is about growth—musically, emotionally, and as a band. Strange Machines blend funk, rock, electronic, metal, and jam in a way that feels cohesive rather than scattered. Each track pulls you somewhere new, but by the end, you feel like you’ve walked through something bigger than just a record. It’s an album that resonates, the sound of a band fully stepping into who they are and connecting so deeply with themselves and their fans that it becomes something personal and lasting.
Stream Strange Machines’ Playing With Fire below or on your preferred platform. The band has shows scattered throughout the Northeast in November and December. Find tickets and tour dates here.
Strange Machines — Playing With Fire