{{Short description|2025 studio album by Sparks}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox album | name = Mad! | type = studio | artist = [[Sparks (band)|Sparks]] | cover = Mad (Sparks album).jpg | alt = | released = May 23, 2025 | recorded = 2024<ref name=mojo24 /> | studio = Sparks (Los Angeles) | genre = * [[Art rock]] * [[synth-pop]]<ref name=Mojo_rev /> | length = {{Duration|m=45|s=45}} | label = [[Transgressive Records|Transgressive]] | producer = * [[Ron Mael]] * [[Russell Mael]] | prev_title = [[Annette (soundtracks)#Annette – An Opera by Sparks (The Original 2013 Recordings)|Annette – An Opera by Sparks (The Original 2013 Recordings)]] | prev_year = 2024 | next_title = [[Madder!]] | next_year = 2025 | misc = {{Singles | type = studio | single1 = Do Things My Own Way | single1date = January 30, 2025 | single2 = JanSport Backpack | single2date = February 25, 2025 | single3 = Drowned in a Sea of Tears | single3date = April 2, 2025 | single4 = My Devotion | single4date = May 1, 2025 | single5 = A Little Bit of Light Banter | single5date = May 21, 2025 }}}} '''''Mad!''''' (stylized as '''''MAD!''''') is the 26th studio album<ref name=mojo24 /><ref name=bb_iv>{{cite magazine | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | title=Sparks Talk New Album 'Mad!', Making a Movie Musical With John Woo & Noticing 'Fewer' Visionaries in the Music Biz | date=May 22, 2025 | last=Graff | first=Gary | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/sparks-mad-album-john-woo-movie-musical-1235979236/ | access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref><ref name=rs_drowned /> by American pop and rock duo [[Sparks (band)|Sparks]], released on May 23, 2025, through [[Transgressive Records]].
Upon release, the album was met with critical acclaim and continued the group's commercial success in the UK, despite the return to an independent label. ''Mad!'' entered the [[UK Albums Chart]] at no. 2, the highest in Sparks' career.
== Background and recording == During a ceremony at the 2024 [[AIM Independent Music Awards]] in which Sparks received the honors of Outstanding Contribution to Music, bandmates [[Ron Mael|Ron]] and [[Russell Mael]] took the opportunity to announce that they had signed to the independent record label [[Transgressive Records]] for a new studio album.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duran |first=Anagricel |date=October 18, 2024 |title=Sparks announce signing to Transgressive Records |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/sparks-announce-signing-to-transgressive-records-3804191 |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=[[NME]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250503014516/https://www.nme.com/news/music/sparks-announce-signing-to-transgressive-records-3804191 |archive-date=May 3, 2025}}</ref> This followed a continuous period of chart success for the Mael brothers, with [[Hippopotamus (album)|''Hippopotamus'']] (2017), ''[[A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip]]'' (2020), and ''[[The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte]]'' (2023) all peaking at no. 7 on the UK Albums Chart, the highest position since ''[[Kimono My House]]'' peaked at no. 4 in 1974.<ref name=uk_charts />
Their first album of original material since leaving [[Island Records]] for the second time,{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}} ''Mad!'' also follows the self-released [[Annette (soundtracks)#Annette – An Opera by Sparks (The Original 2013 Recordings)|''Annette – An Opera by Sparks (The Original 2013 Recordings)'']] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=January 30, 2025 |title=Sparks Release New Single, Reveal New Album Title Tour Dates |url=https://louderthanwar.com/sparks-release-new-single-reveal-new-album-title-and-announce-uk-european-japanese-tour-dates/ |access-date=March 5, 2025 |website=[[Louder Than War]] |language=en |archive-date=March 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307020039/https://louderthanwar.com/sparks-release-new-single-reveal-new-album-title-and-announce-uk-european-japanese-tour-dates/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview for ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]'' magazine, lead vocalist Russell Mael stated that in the wake of a successful world tour promoting ''The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte'', Sparks had begun work on their next studio album, finishing within a six-month span.<ref name=mojo24>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Ian |date=July 22, 2024 |title=Sparks: 'It's a disservice to pop music to come out with stuff that isn't cool.' |url=https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/stories/sparks-its-a-disservice-to-pop-music/ |access-date=March 5, 2025 |website=[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]] |language=en |archive-date=March 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307014423/https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/stories/sparks-its-a-disservice-to-pop-music/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Promotion and singles == In anticipation for ''Mad!'', Sparks released five attached singles. The first single, "Do Things My Own Way", was released on January 30, 2025, with the music video premiering five days later.<ref name=bpm /> The video was directed by Ambar Navarro, who has also worked with artists such as [[the Lemon Twigs]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Skinner |first=Tom |date=February 14, 2023 |title=The Lemon Twigs announce fourth album 'Everything Harmony', share new single 'Any Time Of Day' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-lemon-twigs-announce-fourth-album-everything-harmony-release-new-single-any-time-of-day-listen-preorder-3398134 |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=[[NME]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312061018/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-lemon-twigs-announce-fourth-album-everything-harmony-release-new-single-any-time-of-day-listen-preorder-3398134 |archive-date=March 12, 2025}}</ref> [[Weyes Blood]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corcoran |first=Nina |date=September 18, 2023 |title=Watch Weyes Blood's New Video for 'Twin Flame' |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-weyes-bloods-new-video-for-twin-flame/ |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415220420/https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-weyes-bloods-new-video-for-twin-flame/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[John Carpenter]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Christopher |date=March 7, 2024 |title=John Carpenter Announces 'Lost Themes IV: Noir' |url=https://www.wecb.fm/john-carpenter-announces-lost-themes-iv-noir/ |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=[[Emerson College|WECB]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312141900/https://www.wecb.fm/john-carpenter-announces-lost-themes-iv-noir/ |archive-date=March 12, 2025}}</ref> In [[Beats Per Minute (website)|''Beats Per Minute'']], Joshua Pickard said it "recalls the idiosyncracies of their early work while also highlighting the more [[Populism|populist]] sounds of their later releases."<ref name=bpm>{{Cite web |last=Pickard |first=Joshua |date=February 4, 2025 |title=Sparks bring awareness to the dangers of falling pianos in their video for 'Do Things My Own Way' |url=https://beatsperminute.com/sparks-bring-awareness-to-the-dangers-of-falling-pianos-in-their-video-for-do-things-my-own-way/ |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=[[Beats Per Minute (website)|Beats Per Minute]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312143815/https://beatsperminute.com/sparks-bring-awareness-to-the-dangers-of-falling-pianos-in-their-video-for-do-things-my-own-way/ |archive-date=March 12, 2025}}</ref> Sparks released the second single "JanSport Backpack" on February 25, alongside the announcement of the album's release date, cover, and track listing.<ref name=reldate>{{Cite web |last=Redfern |first=Mark |date=February 25, 2025 |title=Sparks Confirm New Album Details, Release New Single 'JanSport Backpack' |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/sparks_confirm_new_album_details_release_new_single_jansport_backpack |access-date=March 3, 2025 |website=[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]] |language=en |archive-date=March 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307004315/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/sparks_confirm_new_album_details_release_new_single_jansport_backpack |url-status=live }}</ref>
On April 2, 2025, Sparks released their third single "Drowned in a Sea of Tears",<ref name=drowned_date>{{Cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=April 2, 2025 |title=Sparks on the Duo's U.S. Summer Tour, New 'Drowned in a Sea of Tears' Single, Forthcoming 'Mad!' Album and That John Woo Movie Musical (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/sparks-tour-new-album-mad-interview-1236355069/ |access-date=May 1, 2025 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405040035/https://variety.com/2025/music/news/sparks-tour-new-album-mad-interview-1236355069/ |archive-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref> followed by another music video directed by Ambar Navarro<ref name=rs_drowned>{{cite magazine | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=April 3, 2025 | last=Kreps | first=Daniel | title=Sparks Share New 'Mad!' Single and Announce North American Tour | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sparks-new-mad-single-north-american-tour-1235309750/ | access-date=July 7, 2025 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> and starring performer Tina Kronis.<ref name=bv_drowned>{{cite web | website=[[BrooklynVegan]] | title=Sparks announce North American tour, share 'Drowned in a Sea of Tears' from new album | date=April 2, 2025 | last=Pearis | first=Bill | url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/sparks-announce-north-american-tour-share-drowned-in-a-sea-of-tears-from-new-album/ | access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref> The song's atypical sincerity is noted in an interview by ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety's]]'' Chris Willman where Ron Mael says that while "We do try to have some level of seriousness below the surface of even the {{sic|song}} that are humorous,{{nbsp}}... in the traditional definition of what sincerity in a song is, this is more that."<ref name=drowned_date /> On May 1 and 21, the final singles "My Devotion" and "A Little Bit of Light Banter" were respectively released.<ref>{{Cite web | last=Redfern | first=Mark | date=May 1, 2025 | title=Sparks Share New Song 'My Devotion' | url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/sparks_share_new_song_my_devotion/ | access-date=June 7, 2025 | website=[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | last=Nasatir | first=Issa | date=May 21, 2025 | title=Sparks Share New Song 'A Little Bit of Light Banter' | url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/sparks_share_new_song_a_little_bit_of_light_banter/ | access-date=June 7, 2025 | website=[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]]}}</ref>
On May 25, 2025, just two days after the album's release, Ron and Russell Mael joined comedian and actor [[Rob Brydon]] for a ninety-minute<ref name=express1>{{cite news | newspaper=[[Daily Express]] | last=Winston | first=Fran | date=May 26, 2025 | title=Gavin and Stacey star says 'I hate myself' as they issue plea to music legends | url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/2060164/gavin-and-stacey-plea-music-legends | access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref> interview at [[Union Chapel, Islington|Union Chapel]], London.<ref name=joke>{{cite web | website=Beyond the Joke | title=Rob Brydon to Interview Sparks Onstage | last=Dessau | first=Rob | date=April 29, 2025 | url=https://beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/16111/rob-brydon-interview-sparks-onstage | access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref><ref name=stereoboard>{{cite web | website=Stereoboard | title=Sparks Release New Track My Devotion | date=May 1, 2025 | last=Stickler | first=Jon | url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/247503/9 | access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref> Ahead of the promotional event, entitled An Entirely MAD! Conversation Between Rob Brydon and Sparks!, Brydon said that he had been a fan of the duo since being gifted a [[Cassette tape|cassette]] of Sparks' 1974 album ''[[Propaganda (Sparks album)|Propaganda]]'' for his ninth birthday.<ref name=express2>{{cite news | newspaper=[[Daily Express]] | last=Winston | first=Fran | date=April 27, 2025 | title=Gavin and Stacey star makes huge career announcement with music legends | url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/2047133/gavin-and-stacey-rob-brydon-career-announcement | access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref>
== Release == After its release on May 23, 2025,<ref name=reldate /> ''Mad!'' debuted at no. 2 in the [[UK Album Charts|UK]] and no. 1 on both the [[Scottish Singles and Albums Charts|Scottish]] and the [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Independent]] charts. This represents Sparks' highest UK chart position in their career, beating their previous record of no. 4 with ''[[Kimono My House]]'' (1974).<ref name=uk_charts /> The weekly charts, which run every Friday,<ref>{{cite web | website=[[Official Charts Company]] | title=About | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/about/ | access-date=May 31, 2025}}</ref> include an additional midweek chart called the "Official Albums Chart Update", which compiles sales from Friday to Sunday.<ref>{{cite web | website=[[Official Charts Company]] | title=Official Albums Chart Update: 25 May 2025 – 31 May 2025 | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart-update/20250526/7502u/ | access-date=May 31, 2025}}</ref> This had ''Mad!'', without the support of a major record label, reach the top position of no. 1, higher than Sparks' previous record of 2020's ''[[A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip]]'' at no. 4.<ref name=uk_charts />
== Critical reception == {{Music ratings | ADM = 7.6/10<ref name=ADM>{{cite web | url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/14316/Sparks-MAD.aspx | title=Sparks – MAD!| publisher=Any Decent Music? | access-date=May 30, 2025}}</ref> | MC = 82/100<ref name=MC>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/mad!/sparks | title=MAD! by Sparks | publisher=[[Metacritic]] | access-date=September 11, 2025}}</ref> | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/mad%21-mw0004481503|title=Mad! – Sparks|first=Heather|last=Phares|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|date=May 23, 2025|accessdate=May 23, 2025}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' | rev2score = 8/10<ref name=clash_rev>{{cite magazine | magazine=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]] | title=Sparks – MAD! – A glorious return from the art-pop brothers... | last=Murray | first=Robin | date=May 22, 2025 | url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/sparks-mad/ | access-date=May 22, 2025}}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[The Line of Best Fit]]'' | rev3score = 8/10<ref name=linefit_rev>{{cite web | website=[[The Line of Best Fit]] | title=Sparks continue toying with creative flourishes on MAD! | last=Hamilton-Peach | first=Christopher | date=May 22, 2025 | url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/sparks-mad-continue-toying-creative-flourishes | access-date=May 22, 2025}}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[Louder Than War]]'' | rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=louderwar_rev>{{cite web | website=[[Louder Than War]] | title=Sparks: MAD! – Album Review | last=Plummer | first=Robert | date=May 23, 2025 | url=https://louderthanwar.com/sparks-mad-album-review/ | access-date=May 23, 2025}}</ref> | rev5 = ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]'' | rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=Mojo_rev>{{cite magazine | magazine=[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]] | title=Sparks: MAD! – Their 28th studio album! How mad is that? | last=McNair | first=James | date=May 8, 2025 | issue=380 | page=79}}</ref> | rev6 = ''[[MusicOMH]]'' | rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=omh_rev>{{cite web | website=[[musicOMH]] | title=Sparks – MAD! | last=Murphy | first=John | date=May 22, 2025 | url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/sparks-mad | access-date=May 22, 2025}}</ref> | rev7 = ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' | rev7score = 7.6/10<ref name=paste_rev>{{cite magazine | magazine=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] | title=Sparks Blend Maximalism and Satire on ''MAD!'' | last=Teder | first=Camryn | date=May 23, 2025 | url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/sparks/sparks-blend-maximalism-and-satire-on-mad | access-date=May 23, 2025}}</ref> | rev8 = ''[[PopMatters]]'' | rev8score = 7/10<ref name=popmatters_rev>{{cite web | website=[[PopMatters]] | title=Sparks Refuse to Sit on Their Laurels with 'Mad!' | last=Lyng | first=Eoghan | date=May 21, 2025 | access-date=May 22, 2025 | url=https://www.popmatters.com/sparks-mad-review}}</ref> | rev9 = ''[[Record Collector]]'' | rev9score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=RC_rev>{{cite magazine | magazine=[[Record Collector]] | title=MAD! {{pipe}} Sparks | last=Price | first=Simon | author-link=Simon Price | date=May 19, 2025 | url=https://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/album/mad | issue=571 | access-date=May 20, 2025}}</ref> | rev10 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' | rev10score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=Telegraph>{{cite magazine | magazine=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] | title=Sparks, Mad!, review: eccentric brilliance with pearls of wisdom | last=Perry | first=Andrew | date=May 23, 2025 | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/sparks-mad-album-review/ | access-date=May 23, 2025}}</ref> }} ''Mad!'' received a score of 82/100 on the review aggregator website [[Metacritic]] based on 12 critics, which it categorized as "universal acclaim".<ref name=MC /> Another aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave the album 7.6/10 based on 11 critical reviews.<ref name=ADM />
In a four-star review for ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]'', James McNair said that on the album, the Mael brothers "continue to concoct songs that are distinctively, resolutely Mael. On ''MAD!'', [[synth-pop]], [[Art rock|art-rock]] and a programmed [[Dmitri Shostakovich|Shostakovich]] vibe (see paean to Californian interstate highway [[Interstate 405 (California)|I-405]] Rules) all feed into their skewed, self-contained universe, the arrangements as unpredictable as the subject matter."<ref name=Mojo_rev /> Robin Murray of ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' thought the album "seems to represent everything special about this period in their work."<ref name=clash_rev /> Rating the album 7.6 out of 10 for ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'', Camyn Teder praised the songs' "unique structures" and satirical outlook, saying they "leave room for the thing that makes songs so great: a mystical ambiguity"; while they believed that ''Mad!'' was repetitive at times, they expressed that "this is certainly another feather in the cap for Sparks."<ref name=paste_rev />
Writing for the magazine ''[[Record Collector]]'', [[Simon Price]] said in a five-star review that "''MAD!'' enters, and attempts to reflect, a world that is mad in both the American (angry) and British (crazy) senses," citing "a new (or renewed) toughness to the sound" on certain tracks that draw comparisons to their sixth album ''[[Big Beat (album)|Big Beat]]'' (1976).<ref name=RC_rev /> Christopher Hamilton-Peach of ''[[The Line of Best Fit]]'' cited "Hit Me Baby" as an example, before concluding "The angular flexes in style and wordplay tied together with Russell's high wire deployment prove as duly consistent a formula as any of the standout entries in the duo's crowded discography."<ref name=linefit_rev /> In a four-star review for ''[[MusicOMH]]'', John Murphy said, despite minor reservations concerning the repetition in songs such as "Hit Me, Baby" and "Running Up a Tab...", that "By the time the closing track{{nbsp}}... comes around, you’ll be mentally reordering your list of top 10 all-time Sparks albums."<ref name=omh_rev />
=== Year-end lists === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" ! scope=col | Publication ! scope=col class=unsortable | List ! scope=col | Rank ! scope=col class=unsortable | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope=row | ''[[Classic Pop]]'' | The Best of 2025: New Albums | align=center | 1 | align=center | <ref>{{cite magazine | last1=Earls | first1=John | author-link1=John Earls | last2=Harnell | first2=Steve | title=The Best of 2025: New Albums | magazine=[[Classic Pop]] | date=December 4, 2025 | pages=84–85 | issue=100 (January 2026) | issn=2050-6643 | publisher=Anthem Publishing | publication-place=Bath, England}}</ref> |- ! scope=row | ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' | Top 50 Albums of 2025 | align=center | 34 | align=center | <ref>{{Cite magazine | magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] | title=The 75 Best Albums of 2025 | last=Davenport | first=Rich | display-authors=etal | date=December 5, 2025 | issue=348 (January 2026) | pages=18–51 | issn=1464-7834 | publisher=[[Future plc|Future]] | publication-place=London}}</ref> |- ! scope=row | ''[[Louder Than War]]'' | Top 100 Albums of 2025 | align=center | 28 | align=center | <ref>{{Cite web | website=[[Louder Than War]] | date=December 4, 2025 | title=Louder Than War Top 100 Albums of 2025 | url=https://louderthanwar.com/louder-than-war-top-100-albums-of-2025/ | access-date=December 5, 2025}}</ref> |- ! scope=row | ''[[Record Collector]]'' | The Best of 2025: New Albums Top 25 | align=center | 4 | align=center | <ref>{{cite magazine | magazine=[[Record Collector]] | title=The Best of 2025: New Albums top 25 | date=November 27, 2025 | page=118 | issue=578 (Christmas 2025) | publisher=[[Metropolis International|Diamond Publishing Ltd]] | publication-place=London | issn=0261-250X}}</ref> |- ! scope=row | [[Rough Trade (shops)|Rough Trade]] | Albums of the Year 2025 | align=center | 45 | align=center | <ref>{{Cite web | website=[[Rough Trade (shops)|Rough Trade]] | date=November 11, 2025 | title=Albums of the Year 2025 | url=https://blog.roughtrade.com/gb/albums-of-the-year-2025/ | access-date=November 13, 2025}}</ref> |- ! scope=row | ''[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]]'' | Top 100 Albums of 2025 | align=center | 97 | align=center | <ref>{{Cite web | website=[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]] | date=December 25, 2025 | title=Under the Radar's Top 100 Albums of 2025 Part 2 (#51–100) | last=Jardine | first=Ben | display-authors=etal | url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/lists/under_the_radars_top_100_albums_of_2025_part_2 | access-date=December 28, 2025}}</ref> |}
== Track listing == {{Track listing | width = 50% | headline = ''Mad!'' track listing | all_writing = [[Ron Mael|Ron]] and [[Russell Mael]].<ref name=CD_credits /> | total_length = 45:45 | title1 = Do Things My Own Way | length1 = 3:40 | title2 = JanSport Backpack | length2 = 4:13 | title3 = Hit Me, Baby | length3 = 3:44 | title4 = Running Up a Tab at the Hotel for the Fab | length4 = 4:21 | title5 = My Devotion | length5 = 4:19 | title6 = Don't Dog It | length6 = 3:19 | title7 = In Daylight | length7 = 4:11 | title8 = I-405 Rules | length8 = 3:22 | title9 = A Long Red Light | length9 = 3:03 | title10 = Drowned in a Sea of Tears | length10 = 3:21 | title11 = A Little Bit of Light Banter | length11 = 3:30 | title12 = Lord Have Mercy | length12 = 4:42 }}
== Personnel == Credits adapted from the CD liner notes<ref name=CD_credits>{{cite AV media notes | title=MAD! | last=Sparks | author-link=Sparks (band) | year=2025 | publisher=[[Transgressive Records|Transgressive]] | type=CD liner notes | id=TRANS850CD}}</ref> and [[Tidal (service)|Tidal]].<ref>{{cite web |title=MAD! / Sparks / Credits |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/414875996/credits |publisher=[[Tidal (service)|Tidal]] |access-date=May 24, 2025 |date=May 23, 2025}}</ref>
'''Sparks''' * [[Ron Mael]] – keyboards, synthesizers; [[Programming (music)|programming]] (tracks 1, 3, 6, 8, 10) * [[Russell Mael]] – vocals
'''Additional musicians''' * Max Whipple – bass (1, 3–4, 6–8, 10–12) * Eli Pearl – guitar (1, 3–4, 6, 10–12) * Evan Weiss – guitar (1, 3–4, 10–12) * [[Steven Nistor|Stevie Nistor]] – drums (4, 11–12)
'''Technical and design''' * Ron Mael – [[Record producer|production]] * Russell Mael – production, [[Audio engineer|engineering]] * [[Bill Inglot]], Dave Schultz – [[Mastering (audio)|mastering]] * Munachi Osegbu – photography * Galen Johnson – design
== Charts == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''Mad!'' ! scope="col" | Chart (2025) ! scope="col" | Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Wallonia|159|artist=Sparks|album=Mad!|rowheader=true|access-date=June 7, 2025}} |- {{album chart|Germany|48|id=549856|artist=Sparks|album=Mad!|rowheader=true|access-date=May 30, 2025}} |- ! scope=row | [[Scottish Singles and Albums Charts|Scottish Albums]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name=uk_charts /> | 1 |- {{album chart|Switzerland|67|artist=Sparks|album=Mad!|rowheader=true|access-date=June 1, 2025}} |- {{album chart|UK|2|artist=Sparks|rowheader=true|access-date=October 10, 2025|refname=uk_charts}} |- ! scope="row" | [[UK Album Downloads Chart|UK Album Downloads]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name=uk_charts /> | 4 |- ! scope="row" | [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Independent Albums]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name=uk_charts /> | 1 |- ! scope="row"| [[Official Vinyl Albums Chart|UK Vinyl Albums]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/sparks-mad/|title=Mad - Sparks|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=December 12, 2025}}</ref> | 1 |- {{album chart|BillboardAlbumSales|27|artist=Sparks|rowheader=true|access-date=June 3, 2025}} |}
== ''Madder!'' == {{Infobox album | name = Madder! | type = ep | artist = [[Sparks (band)|Sparks]] | cover = Madder (Sparks).jpg | released = {{start date|2025|10|3}} | recorded = 2025 | length = 14:52 | label = [[Transgressive Records|Transgressive]] | producer = * [[Ron Mael]] * [[Russell Mael]] | prev_title = Mad! | prev_year = 2025 | next_title = | next_year = | misc = {{Singles | type = ep | name = Madder! | single1 = Porcupine | single1date = September 2, 2025 }} }}
'''''Madder!''''' (stylized as '''''MADDER!''''') is the debut studio<!--first of previously unreleased in-studio material--> [[extended play]] by Sparks, released on October 3, 2025, through [[Transgressive Records]]. Comprising four tracks, it was intended to be a companion release to their album ''Mad!'' and was recorded quickly after the album was released earlier that year.<ref name=pitch_madder>{{Cite web | last=Strauss |first=Matthew | date=September 2, 2025 | title=Sparks Announce ''Madder!'' EP, Share New Song 'Porcupine': Listen | url=https://pitchfork.com/news/sparks-announce-madder-ep-share-new-song-porcupine-listen/ | access-date=September 2, 2025 | website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref> Prior to its official release, physical copies (CD, black vinyl, and picture disc) were made available for purchase to concertgoers attending the North American leg of Sparks' <!--do not italicize tour name-->Mad! Tour in September.<ref name=pop_madder>{{Cite magazine | magazine=[[Classic Pop]] | last=Biggane | first=Dan | date=September 8, 2025 | title=Sparks announce Madder! EP and share new song Porcupine | url=https://www.classicpopmag.com/news/sparks-announce-madder-ep-and-share-new-song-porcupine/ | access-date=September 12, 2025}}</ref>
=== Single === The lead single, "Porcupine", was released on September 2, 2025, alongside the announcement of the EP.<ref name=pitch_madder /> The corresponding music video, which arrived days after the single's initial release,<ref>{{Cite web | last=Stoddard | first=Cait | date=September 8, 2025 | title=Sparks Share Humorous New Video For 'Porcupine' | url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2025/09/08/news/sparks-share-humorous-new-video-for-porcupine/ | access-date=September 9, 2025 | website=mxdwn.com}}</ref> stars the musical artist [[Self Esteem (musician)|Self Esteem]] and was directed by Fred Rowson with production by [[Blink (company)|Blink Productions]] and special effects by Selected Works.<ref name=pop_madder /> Self Esteem later told ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]'' magazine that she is "a huge fan" and remained in contact with the duo since the video, saying "It's important to remember that this is a fun job. It's daft, and they really embrace the daft."<ref>{{cite magazine | last=Richards | first=Sam | title=An Audience with... Self Esteem | magazine=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]] | date=October 10, 2025 | page=17 | issn=1368-0722 | issue=345 (December 2025) | publisher=[[Kelsey Media]] | publication-place=Yalding, Kent, England}}</ref>
=== Critical reception === {{Music ratings | rev1 = ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' | rev1score = 8/10{{efn|group=lower-alpha|name=cr_rat|The ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' magazine review of ''Madder!'' gave the EP 8 out of 10,<ref name=cr_madder>{{cite magazine | magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] | title=Albums: Sparks – Madder! EP | last=Roberts | first=Chris | date=October 10, 2025 | page=75 | issue=346 | issn=1464-7834}}</ref> but nearly a week before the issue was published, the magazine previewed the same review on [[Facebook]] with a rating of four and a half stars.<ref>{{cite web | title=Review: Sparks – Madder! | date=October 4, 2025 | website=[[Facebook]] | url=https://www.facebook.com/ClassicRockMagazine/posts/review-sparks-madderaround-the-time-of-their-startling-breakthrough-with-kimono-/1223948756427594/ | author1=Classic Rock Magazine | author-link1=Classic Rock (magazine) | last2=Roberts | first2=Chris | access-date=October 10, 2025}}</ref>}} }}
In an 8 out of 10 review for the magazine ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'',<ref group=lower-alpha name=cr_rat /> Chris Roberts found the opener "Porcupine" to be "a thumping mix of silliness and surrealism that pretty much captures the essence of Sparks", while closer "They" was singled out as the EP's "best track" such that it "slows down to allow Russell's mature-years voice to resonate."<ref name=cr_madder /> In ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'', ''Madder!'' was ranked second in its list of the best EPs of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web | website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] | last=Shipley | first=Al | date=December 10, 2025 | title=The Best EPs of 2025 | url=https://www.spin.com/2025/12/the-best-eps-of-2025/ | access-date=December 19, 2025}}</ref>
===Track listing=== {{Track listing | all_writing = [[Ron Mael|Ron]] and [[Russell Mael]].<ref name=tidal_madder />
| headline = ''Madder!'' track listing | width = 50% | title1 = Porcupine | length1 = 3:45 | title2 = Fantasize | length2 = 3:23 | title3 = Mess Up | length3 = 3:13 | title4 = They | length4 = 4:31 | total_length = 14:52 }}
===Personnel=== Credits adapted from the 10-inch vinyl liner notes<ref name=madder_notes>{{cite AV media notes | title=MADDER! | last=Sparks | author-link=Sparks (band) | year=2025 | publisher=[[Transgressive Records|Transgressive]] | type=10-inch vinyl liner notes | id=TRANS891X}}</ref> and [[Tidal (service)|Tidal]].<ref name=tidal_madder>{{cite web |title=MADDER! / Sparks / Credits | date=2025 | url=https://tidal.com/album/450344650/credits | publisher=[[Tidal (service)|Tidal]] | access-date=September 2, 2025}}</ref>
'''Sparks''' * [[Ron Mael]] – keyboards, synthesizers, [[Programming (music)|programming]] * [[Russell Mael]] – vocals, programming
'''Additional musicians''' * Max Whipple – bass * Eli Pearl, Evan Weiss – guitar (except track 3) * [[Steven Nistor|Stevie Nistor]] – drums (1)
'''Technical and design''' * Ron Mael – [[Record producer|production]] * Russell Mael – production, [[Audio engineer|engineering]], [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]] * [[Bill Inglot]], Dave Schultz – [[Mastering (audio)|mastering]] * Munachi Osegbu – photography * Galen Johnson – design
=== Charts === {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''Madder!'' ! scope=col | Chart (2025) ! scope=col | Peak<br>position |- ! scope=row | [[Official Vinyl Singles Chart|UK Vinyl Singles]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name=uk_charts />{{efn|group=lower-alpha|On the [[Official Charts Company]] website, ''Madder!'' was credited as its opener "Porcupine" on the [[Official Vinyl Singles Chart|Vinyl Singles Chart]], evidenced by the catalog number that was provided<ref name=uk_charts /> which matches the standard vinyl release of the EP.<ref name=madder_notes />}} | 1 |}
== Notes == {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{discogs master|3855553}} * {{discogs master|3964943|Madder!}} * {{YouTube|id=WooiooYp7Ow|title=An Entirely MAD! Conversation with Rob Brydon & Sparks}}
{{Sparks}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mad!}} [[Category:2025 albums]] [[Category:Transgressive Records albums]] [[Category:Sparks (band) albums]]