Maverick Smith is back—and louder, sharper, and more daring than ever. With their second full-length album in less than a year, We Make Fire, They Make Smoke, the band proves that rock music isn’t just alive—it’s evolving in real time. This record isn’t just a follow-up; it’s a bold expansion of their sound, a genre-hopping journey full of raw energy, live instrumentation, and the kind of creative fire you can’t fake.
From the very first track to the last, We Make Fire, They Make Smoke feels like a declaration. It’s a refusal to sit still, to be boxed in, or to chase trends. Instead, Maverick Smith leans into their instincts, blending influences from across decades and genres to create something wholly their own. Think the edge of Arctic Monkeys, the punch of Wolfmother, the experimental warmth of late-era Beach Boys, and the hook-heavy swagger of The Posies—all filtered through a no-frills, fully analog lens.
What makes this record stand out instantly is how alive it feels. This is not computer-generated, lab-built rock. It was recorded live at Aardvark Studios in Steubenville, OH, with every note played by hand. No samples, no digital shortcuts—just five musicians pushing each other and their sound to new heights. The result is a record that breathes. You can hear the air in the room, the tension in the strings, the grit in the vocal takes. It’s refreshingly human.
At the heart of Maverick Smith is lead vocalist and guitarist Paige Bosic, whose delivery on this album carries both vulnerability and fire. She’s not just singing songs—she’s telling stories, baring truths, and inviting listeners into something real. “This album brought me out of my shell,” Bosic says, and you can feel that release in every chorus, every lyric, every shouted refrain.
The opener, “Sinking Feeling,” kicks things off with a slow burn—blues-laced and emotionally layered. The string arrangements, courtesy of the returning Maverick Smith Orchestra, give the song a sweeping, cinematic feel without losing the raw edge that defines the band’s sound. It’s intimate but bold, setting the tone for what’s to come.
From there, the album expands and explores. “Open Up Your Mind” is dreamy indie pop with warm strings and a light psychedelic touch, evoking shades of shoegaze and folk without fully committing to either. Then comes “Feel It Back,” a heavy, groove-driven track that pulses with confidence and swagger. It’s gritty, powerful, and easily one of the most infectious songs on the album.
Just when you think you’ve figured the record out, it pivots again. “Too Smart Too Dumb” blends sharp indie rock with mathy rhythms and biting wit. The clever lyrics and unconventional structure make it feel like a standout moment—a perfect example of the band’s willingness to play with form while staying grounded in feeling.
The album closes with “So What Who Cares,” an alt-country rocker that fuses southern grit with rock defiance. With guest vocals from John DiCarlo and fiddle by Bruce Hoffman, the song feels both rebellious and rooted, giving the album a cathartic, dust-kicked finale.
Part of what makes We Make Fire, They Make Smoke so compelling is its collaborative spirit. Alongside the band’s core—Bosic, guitarist/producer Sean Boynes, drummer Jim Courtney, lead guitarist Charlie Kovach, and bassist Chuck Ellis—are a cast of guest musicians who enrich the sound without ever overpowering it.
Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, Big Star, R.E.M.) lends vocals and piano on “Mary Lou,” Jaime Peck adds saxophone and piano, and Dallas Dwight brings extra guitar muscle. These contributions add depth, color, and range, reinforcing that this is an album made by a band, not just a brand.
What really ties the album together is its honesty. Maverick Smith doesn’t chase a single genre or aesthetic—they follow the songs where they want to go. And the songs, in turn, go everywhere—from dusty alt-country highways to velvet-walled indie lounges to overdriven garage rock basements.
Yet through all that movement, the record never loses its identity. That’s the magic. We Make Fire, They Make Smoke is adventurous without being chaotic, polished without being sterile, and diverse without ever sounding like a playlist. It’s a statement of identity in a musical world that often demands conformity.
With We Make Fire, They Make Smoke, Maverick Smith delivers one of the most exciting and genuine rock records of the year. It’s more than just a collection of songs—it’s an experience, a sonic journey that feels handcrafted and emotionally charged from start to finish. For fans of alt-rock, indie, southern grit, or simply real, live music, this is a must-listen.
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