Albums: Madder EP

Released on 3 October 2025, "Madder" is the title of Sparks' first ever EP, that comes after the released of the duo 28th., studio album, the brilliant "MAD!"., Sparks later comment about their new recording: "MADDER!" is a four-song piece to the album, like if their audiences isn't yet MAD!, there you go, hoping these new songs will take you to an even "Madder!" place. 

 

The duo release "Porcupine" last september as the first single, the song is about a guy's fascination with a woman who possesses, a prickly personality, all to a verse with a highly infectious organ riff that yields to heavy guitars in the choruses, plus the video features a star cameo again, this time, they have hired Self Esteem who has a ball vamping it up as the song’s eponymous antiherowas something strange and interesting as usual.

 

One of the greatest thing about the duo, is their constant willingness to try something new, and in the case of "MADDER!", it is one of their least revolutionary acts, merely their first ever EP, and acts as a companion piece to "MAD!" which achieved their highest ever UK album chart position.

 

Next track is "Fantasize" which is prime example, starting with a string of ‘no's, going on to create a choir of Russells and making something grandiose from minimal elements while also retaining a sense of sad solitude.  "Mess Up" is led by a particularly wonky keyboard line which fits one of their most rhythmically complex songs, and the final track, "They", works in some ominous orchestration and banked voices. With its gently anthemic sway, it would make a classic ending to a set and in its tale of audience expectations being let down. 

 

Sparks are ageless, they do seem to have managed to slow the ageing process. At eighty, Ron is still a fount of creativity, producing songs that self-reference the band's individual quirks but bring new angles to them. Russell's voice remains undiminished at an age when more famed peers are relying on audience goodwill to overlook their weaknesses and his onstage energy is phenomenal. 

 

So far so good, their first EP has been greeted with good reviews, hoping the Mael brothers energy never dismiss and keep creating, recording and releasing cool and interesting music.

 

Madder Track List:

 

1. Porcupine

2. Fantasize

3. Mess Up

4. They