Anthony J. “Curly” Mauro set the stage for himself in 2015 with his debut album “L.I.F.E.” Boosted by the lead single “warHouse” (featured on the January 2016 edition of “New Indie Music”), his first full length lead him to a busy year in 2016. Playing both local and touring shows, across the east coast and some parts of the Midwest; coffee shops, bars, traditional venues, even parks. The indie-pop solo artist/multi-instrumentalist from New York played anywhere his car would take him throughout the year to promote the album, and in the process, make new friends and see new places. The album was noted for it’s diverse dynamics and blend of genre influences, from 90’s alt, to classic rock, pop-punk, folk, electronica, and even a little hip hop (on the track “Battle Scars”). But this leaves Curly with one question for 2017, “what now?” The new EP “The Insomnia Files” is the answer to that question. The EP takes the artist a step further, and bridges the labels “solo artist” and “one man band” as it is full of drums, electric guitars, and synthesizers, three instruments that were heard only sparingly on “L.I.F.E.” Lyrically, it shows maturation from the singer’s debut as well; covering topics ranging from insomnia, job dissatisfaction, loss of friendships, touring, corruption in politics, and more. The EP opens with the emotionally-energized “Don’t Mind If I Scream,” Curly belts “I’m f*cking sore from all the nights that I’ve slept inside of my car!” in a chanting chorus that will have crowds singing along at live shows. It then goes into the more optimistic toned “I Have No Idea,” which is a re-recording from his debut, a song he wrote on his first tour back in 2015. Curly tells the story of traveling on the road, seeing new places, being broke and happy, and really goes through the journey-like feeling we yearn for since our youth. Things then get political with the next two tracks, as this Bernie supporter reveals his disgust with the DNC’s undoubted bias against the Vermont Senator’s campaign. He also criticizes Trump’s authoritarian policies, and refers to him as “a demagogue sent straight from hell.” Curly campaigned for Bernie Sanders during the 2016 election, and even performed at two political rallies, so it’s no surprise he was going to get political, but his delivery was kick-a**. As the tone calms down, Curly also talks about his faith in the 5th track “A Melody.” Driven by it’s catchy electric guitar riff, and complemented with dreamy pads. Although Curly has always been open about his faith in his songs, he doesn’t play what you would call “church music,” as he sings about specific things in his personal life that his faith plays a role in. With lines like “I’m heart-bent on churning this life,” “I know who and where I am, but not the slightest clue what I’m made for,” he then leads in with “so I make a call out to you God, take me anywhere but here” in this song about quarter-life crisis and hope. The final song, “It’s Over, Anakin, I Have The High Ground,” ends the EP in a perfect notch, in this tale about a loss of friendship. Curly compared the bro-ship to that of Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars (hence the title), and feels his ex-best friend has “turned to the dark side,” “I had your back, I hate that I believed that you had mine too,” he sings, “I had faith in you, you had spite in me.” The song then ends on a hook, not a vocal one, but an analog synth riff played over only soft pads at first, until it builds up to a bangin’ rock ending, with electric guitar ringing out the chords, and drums keeping the loud but steady beat, with the analog synth riff that will be stuck in your head, leaving you to go back and listen for more. In conclusion, The Insomnia Files takes the listener on a journey, and may be Curly’s best work yet.