“My pick for this week is the just released ‘No Love Songs Volume 2.’ Singer/songwriter/guitarist Michael Boezi and a bunch of fine musicians bring us a great collection of songs about the unfortunate state of the world.
Despite the subject matter, which is presented through great lyrics and excellent instrumentation, the album is not depressing, because it’s a perfect example of how art is essential in hard times, of how we can work through chaos by using our creativity.”
— Aaron Smith (source: BlueSky)
No Love Songs, Vol. 2 (together with its companion, Vol. 1) features some of Boston’s best musicians as collaborators, with 23 songs about how to stay human in today’s culture. Comparisons include Billy Bragg, Andrew Bird, Kurt Vile, Dire Straits, Mountain Goats, Lord Huron, R.E.M, Johnny Marr, Pete Townshend, and Richard Thompson.
These songs invite progressive, collectivist, and non-confrontational reflection as an antidote to the years of programming and propaganda we all endure. Let’s help each other UNLEARN. Let’s afford each other the space to grow.
SONG SUMMARY:
01. Knocks – Finding the energy to take positive action
02. I Gotta Go – How life goes on amid daily horrors
03. Temperature Drop – How no one’s coming to save us
04. Last Song – How AI art & music will change us
05. Read Me Out – Turning the page on the Boomer’s world
06. Nothing Left – Silence will speak on your behalf if you don’t
07. Doing Any Good – How advocating for change is depleting
08. Fever – How to develop empathy for the victims of disinformation
09. The Recidivist – How old habits and ideas imprison us
10. Graveyard of Good Intentions – We’re fighting the wrong battle
11. Cheap Seats – How to deal with the “Billionaire Problem”
12. Wipe Right Out – How you won’t listen to me anyway
We are all in this together.
Our broken society is collapsing under decades of programming and propaganda – but we are waking up one by one. The algorithms will try to keep us apart because this is what those in power fear the most – that we learn from each other’s experiences.
This is why art is so important. Stories and narratives are the only way to create positive change. So we come together around art. And conversation. And solidarity. And big ideas.
John Lennon was right, coming together is a revolution. There’s no promise of a future. We have to make it. I’m trying to do my part and I’m sure you are too.
RELEASE NOTES:
This was the second of two albums I released in 2025. It has 9 new tracks plus three previously released tracks. Together with Vol. 1, this makes 23 songs total, which I kind of see as a complete set.
If you have bought these 3 previously released tracks before – first of all, thank you. You don’t have to purchase these again. If for some reason you want the whole set again, packaged up as an album – just ask and I’ll send you the files. Or you can join my Patreon for $5 if you want to offer further support – I have the files available for download for patrons.
While all this is happening, I’ve started working on a new record with 12 songs that I’ve been auditioning live already. Getting them in front of a live audience is a big part of my writing process. Every tune I’ve put out has been workshopped in front of people – edited again and again based on how it “feels” on stage and the real-time reaction that I get.
RELEASE SCHEDULE:
- Preorder: 8/23
- Bandcamp: 9/1
- Streaming: 10/1 // THIS ALBUM WILL NOT BE RELEASED ON SPOTIFY.
Streaming: Apple, YouTube, Pandora, Tidal, Amazon, Spotify
Download: Bandcamp, Patreon, Apple
In January 2024, Spotify stopped paying anything to lower-tier independent artists like me. Please consider supporting my efforts through Bandcamp ($3) or Patreon ($5).
No Love Songs, Vol. 2
CREDITS:
Lyrics and music by Michael Boezi on all songs
PERFORMERS:
Michael Boezi: Voice, guitars on all songs
Dave Brophy: Drums & percussion on all songs
Joe McMahon: Bass guitar on all songs
Andrew Stern: Lead guitar on 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Andrew Stern: 12-string guitar on 8, 9
Andrew Stern: Slide guitar on 12
Britt Connors: Backing vocals on 3, 6, 8
James Rohr: Wurlitzer on 3, piano on 6
Andy Santospago: Pedal steel guitar on 1, lap steel on 4
Aaron DeGraff: Backing vocals on 9
Dave Brophy: Backing vocals on 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12
Peter Fernandez: Rhodes on 1, 2, 9
Peter Fernandez: Organ on 1, 2, 5, 8, 9
Peter Fernandez: Synth & other keyboards on 1, 5
Andrew Stern: Triangle on 2
Dave Brophy: Organ on 7
PRODUCTION:
Recorded at Studio Solitaire in Somerville, MA
All songs engineered by Dave Brophy
Backing vocals engineered by Mike Connors on 3, 6, 8
Arranged by Michael Boezi and Dave Brophy
Produced by Michael Boezi and Dave Brophy
Mixed and mastered by Dave Brophy
Cover photograph by Michael Boezi
Cover design by Michael Boezi
Cover image:
Title: [Emma Gillingham Bostwick, half-length portrait of a woman, three-quarters to left, facing three-quarters to right]
Artist: Mathew B. Brady
Date: Between 1851 and 1860
Source: Library of Congress
Underlying Rights: Public Domain Worldwide
℗&© 2025 Control Mouse Media, LLC
Published by Control Mouse Media, LLC, Boston, MA. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable copyright laws. UPC: 057829394049
Publisher IPI: 1126697538 (ASCAP)
Michael Boezi IPI: 1126697636 (ASCAP)
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