Sparks Ignite with First Album in Two Years, Mad!

Sparks have unleashed Mad!, their first studio album since 2023, marking a vibrant return for the art-pop pioneers. The 12-track record, released under London’s Transgressive Records, includes five standout singles: «Do Things My Own Way», «JanSport Backpack», «Drowned in a Sea of Tears», «My Devotion», and «A Little Bit of Light Banter». The label’s head hailed the collaboration as a triumph, calling Mad! a “sensational” addition to Sparks’ eclectic catalog.

Early reviews from critics are glowing. Record Collector praises Mad! as “another deft, daring, and clever” chapter in Sparks’ legacy, noting its youthful energy and relevance to today’s zeitgeist. MusicOMH urges listeners to stick with the album through its final track, «Lord Have Mercy», which might just reshape opinions about Sparks’ finest work. The duo, comprised of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, continues to defy time, crafting music that feels as rebellious as ever. Mojo highlights the album’s “subtle details” that resonate deeply, a signature of Sparks’ emotive storytelling. ClashMusic celebrates Mad! as a “glorious return” for the art-pop siblings, while PopMatters lauds its sophistication, which rivals the band’s earlier gems, elevated by pristine production.

In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Russell Mael shared the band’s creative ethos. He emphasized that Mad! is designed to captivate both lifelong fans and newcomers alike, delivering the same sharp, provocative edge that has defined Sparks for decades. For anyone discovering the duo through this album, the music promises to be as bold and boundary-pushing as ever.