“Boxes” – Michael Paul Brennan
- GRAHAM
- Jun 9
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Michael Paul Brennan’s “Boxes” is the kind of song that sneaks up on you. At first glance, it may seem like a simple country-leaning tune built around acoustic guitar and heartfelt vocals. But as it unfolds, the layers become clear. Brennan, a seasoned songwriter hailing from Weymouth, Massachusetts, brings decades of lived experience and an old soul’s lyrical wisdom to this track. Nominated for Male Performer of the Year in 2023 and Americana Band of the Year in 2024 by the New England Music Awards, Brennan is another guy with a guitar and a storyteller with staying power, and “Boxes” is one of his most evocative narratives to date.
The metaphor at the heart of the song is deceptively simple: life moves in and out of boxes. The ones we’re born into, the ones we pack when we leave home, the ones we carry into relationships, and the ones we eventually leave behind. Brennan’s lyrics aren’t flowery or overwrought—they’re clear, grounded, and all the more powerful for it. He delivers lines like a man who’s packed and unpacked his fair share of those boxes. It’s about physical movement and emotional baggage, transitions, and the passage of time, all rendered through a distinctly Americana lens.
Sonically, “Boxes” avoids the trap of overproduction that so many modern tracks fall into. Recorded at Underground Recording Studio with Mike Machaby handling all instrumentation, production, and mastering, the song has a lived-in, intimate quality. Brennan’s acoustic guitar forms the backbone of the arrangement, while subtle flourishes—steady drums, ghostlike electric guitar swells—give the track emotional lift without distracting from its core. His voice, gravelly and earnest, cuts straight through with a sincerity that never feels forced.
Fans of Jason Isbell, James McMurtry, and Kris Kristofferson will immediately feel at home here, and it’s easy to understand why Brennan has shared stages with Americana heavyweights like Mike Cooley and Priscilla Block. There’s a similar attention to lyrical detail and emotional weight, and Brennan brings a uniquely New England flavour to his sound—his roots are evident, even as his music travels well beyond regional borders. With streaming audiences across more than 157 countries, it’s clear that his songwriting resonates far and wide.
Ultimately, “Boxes” is a reflection on the quiet architecture of a life. There’s no gimmick here, no flash—just truth wrapped in melody. As Brennan continues to evolve as both a solo artist and a bandleader, this track serves as a poignant reminder of what great songwriting can do: it holds up a mirror, invites you to reflect, and stays with you long after the final chord fades. If you're looking for music that speaks plainly but hits deeply, “Boxes” is a good place to start unpacking.
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