Sparks, forever the interrupters of pop tradition, have disproved this by releasing their first-ever EP ‘MADDER!’. An eclectic selection of songs that complement this year's earlier release ‘MAD!’. The four songs on the EP are accompanied by glitchy synths and addictive guitar, digging deeper into their last album’s sonic themes. This EP treats fans to what they are always asking for - more Sparks - and provides a refreshing set of songs to their legendary canon.
The EP begins with the single ‘Porcupine’. From the get-go its adorably abrasive instrumental is all-consuming, swaddling the listening in a representation of the love song’s muse - a woman who is “rough around the edges”. The synth gives way to a 2000s pop-punk guitar, its tone dripping with that alternative sweetness as vocalist Russell Mael sings “I’ve always had a thick, thick hide / And I think I’ve found her softer side”. The continuous synth pulls the listener up by the ears and suspends them within the world of the song, a gripping drone that is addicting in a way that only Sparks can do.
Taking a moodier tone with the second track, ‘Fantasize’, the band presents the story of a forlorn protagonist in the throes of deep obsession. The track is as hypnotic as ‘Porcupine’, but carries a darker weight. The driving synth lines repeat like the thoughts in the head of our narrator, the song’s hook solely consisting of the word “NO” driving this all-consuming love further. The younger Mael brother’s vocals are sullen and soaked in melancholy. ‘Fantasize’ is a hypnotising exploration into the madness of love; the song gives the listener no choice but to be enraptured by the scenario put before them.
The third track ‘Mess Up’ is a continuation of ‘MAD!’s themes of modern day problems clouded by brands and technology. The opening line “Busting in on a new roommate / Banging you beautiful Zoommate” illustrates this idea perfectly. A theatrical portrait of 21st-century anxieties, the song’s instrumental evokes a rising stress with its glitchy video-game-style synth. Ron Mael’s ever-evolving keyboard style perfectly soundtracks the barrage of anxious thoughts.
The cavernous echo of the guitars that begin closing track ‘They’ cloud the song in an eerie atmosphere, where many of the EPs tracks feel as if they exist within the personal space of the listener, ‘They’ is a walk through a vast fog, the stripped back guitar, incessant synth drone and haunting vocals creating a hollow cacophony. The drum beats a tense pumping of blood in the ears. Thematically, the song sees what is perhaps the inner voice of a tortured artist wallowing in the dissatisfaction of their audience. The dragging sweep of guitar that swells as the song builds feels as if it is the physical pull and push of critique. The song is nightmarish, a volatile landscape. The hollow choral section drives home the thematic disappointment. It is interesting to see the Mael brothers explore the idea of an unsatisfied audience, a contrast to the doting crowds present during the recently finished ‘MAD!’ Tour. The song feels like an evil twin to other entries in the band's discography, most notably the triumphant ‘All That’.
Overall, despite being tied to their last release, ‘MADDER!’ continues to look forward. The four songs on the EP are a masterclass in synth pop for the modern age, creating a set of songs that sound exactly like the ideas and anxieties they present. Ron and Russell Mael have had a magnificent year, and ‘MADDER!’ Is the cherry on top - a celebration of the album that made this year so special. Sparks will never stop pushing the limits of pop and the release of their very first EP proves that.
Eylem Boz
Image: 'MADDER!' Official EP Cover
If you enjoyed reading this article, please consider buying us a coffee. The money from this pot goes towards the ever-increasing yearly costs of running and hosting the site and our "Writer Of The Month" cash prize.