Sparks, brothers Ron and Russell Mael, release ‘My Devotion’, the latest single from their upcoming album, MAD!, out May 23rd via Transgressive Records. Following the “tightly-packaged breakup pop song” (Consequence) ‘Drowned In A Sea Of Tears’, ‘My Devotion’ is a piece of steady, stately chamber pop for synthesizers, featuring suitably hymnal multi-tracked vocals. The song takes a wry and timely look at performative adoration in the era of hyper-nationalism and obsessive fandom, whether to a nation, religion, brand (“Your country, god or flag… Your Harley, or your Jag”) or even a sports team (“Maybe you love football, though I’m puzzled why you would…”).

Very few artists have had as much influence on decades of popular music as Sparks, brothers Ron and Russell Mael, as the duo moved from the glam-rock of 1974’s hit record Kimono My House, to the Giorgio Moroder-produced electronic disco of 1979’s No.1 In Heaven, to the sampler opera of 2002’s Lil’ Beethoven. Sparks has been episodic and unpredictable in a way only Sparks could be, and that journey continues with their 28th  studio album, MAD!.

MAD! finds Ron and Russell examining cultural phenomena such as branded backpacks, tattoos and the hegemony of banter. The satire is never on-the-nose, always retaining enough ambiguity for the listener to fill in the blanks. The exquisitely unusual lexicon and cultural references leap out on every listen.

Musically there are nods to new wave, synthpop, art rock and electronic opera – all genres Sparks had hands in pioneering or straight up invented. Ultimately, however, MAD! is a modern record that belongs in and speaks to the modern world, which is all the more remarkable when you consider the vintage of its creators. 

This summer and autumn Sparks will be touring Japan, UK,  Europe and North America with tickets now available here. Sparks will also join actor, presenter, and comedian Rob Brydon in conversation for An Entirely MAD! Conversation Between Rob Brydon and Sparks! at the Union Chapel, Islington in London on May 25th. Presented by Rough Trade Shops and Transgressive Records, tickets for the event include a physical copy of the album on CD, cassette or vinyl. Tickets are on sale now from here.  

From May 20 record stores around the UK, Europe and Japan will be holding Listening Parties where fans will be able to hear the album ahead of its release. In the UK and Europe, entry includes access to pre-order an exclusive white label vinyl and goodies. In Japan, fans will be able to access the same pack of goodies with the opportunity to purchase the JCD/JLP instead of the white label vinyl. See https://transgressive.lnk.to/madlisteningparties for participating stores.

Further information on MAD! and background on Sparks is available here.