Don’t look now, but Sparks has gone a bit wild. With 28 albums behind them, they’re creating music that surpasses their contemporaries and challenges artists much younger than them. Their latest release, ‘MAD!’ is a sharply witty art-pop offering that subtly forges new paths while being quintessentially Sparks. Released under independent label Transgressive, it could potentially be their first UK No. 1 album. Quite a feat!
Sitting in a luxurious West London hotel, the dynamic brother duo of Ron (with a mustache) and Russell (without a mustache) are brimming with enthusiasm. Their surprisingly well-deserved late career resurgence has witnessed the release of two remarkable films, a whirlwind global tour, and their most successful albums of the 21st century. This is where ‘MAD!’ finds its place: moving forward with vibrant momentum.
“We feel a responsibility,” Russell explains, “not just to ourselves, but also to our Sparks supporters, to keep surprising people as much as possible. We never aimed to be a group that relies solely on past successes to define our current work. For us, every new album has to be standalone, such that if it’s someone's first exposure to Sparks, it should encapsulate who we are and be as strong as anything we've produced before. That’s the mindset we adopt!”
It’s beneficial that for many fans, ‘MAD!’ will mark their first experience of a fresh Sparks album upon its release. The band has seen a substantial increase in support – partly thanks to social media, partly due to their remarkable films, and partly because of the ongoing appreciation for their back catalog. They've noticed the audience demographic at their shows gradually becoming younger.
“That's genuinely inspiring for us,” Ron points out. “It drives us forward, knowing that people are viewing us as a relevant band today. This is a great time for us, almost surreal, since it shouldn’t be happening right now. But we’re not complaining!” he chuckles.
‘MAD!’ is entirely written and produced by them, making it an ideal introduction for new Sparks fans. Simultaneously echoing their extensive catalog and current peculiarities, it’s a captivating mix of styles and techniques. “We’ve learned something from everyone we’ve collaborated with,” Russell states. “And also from their approach and sensibility.”
“We don’t have a fixed idea about how a song should be arranged,” he explains. “Anything goes. If we want guitars in a track, we can use them. If we wish to create something orchestral, we can do that as well. We can explore electronic sounds. We follow the song’s lead and experiment accordingly. We also get easily bored if things don’t resonate with us,” Ron adds. “Since we’re the ones producing each song, we need to be as ruthless and objective as possible.”
This methodology allows ‘MAD!’ to truly embrace a sense of eclecticism, which is underscored by its two-sided vinyl format. A Sparks album embodies a wealth of data and information, seamlessly bridging contemporary production techniques with a lingering Old Hollywood essence and elements of the Great American Songbook.
“I really delve into those classic American songs,” Ron comments, “not to mimic them. It’s about appreciating the intricate details in each lyric and discovering how to present a viewpoint from a fresh angle.”
‘MAD!’ is rich in perspective. Tracks like ‘Drowned In A Sea Of Tears’ vividly capture the cracking of a stiff upper lip; ‘JanSport Backpack’ displays a Noel Coward-esque wit; and ‘A Little Bit Of Light Banter’ is one of the most appropriately named songs of 2025 thus far.
“We’re quite a tough nut to crack!” Russell laughs during our chat. “If you want to elevate the ante and explore new levels, you need to refine the songs until they’re completely satisfactory. Nothing else can be done with them. When they feel ready, then it’s time!”
“It might seem old-fashioned,” Ron adds, “but we prefer albums to be cohesive… as opposed to the internet-era idea of cherry-picking songs. We admire vinyl records: this reflects the authors' original intention. If you desire a different order, you can rearrange it on Spotify, but we wouldn’t recommend that!”
‘MAD!’ is their inaugural album for Transgressive, a label they speak highly of during our discussion. Its independent spirit resonates with theirs, and the focus on pop songwriting helps them forge connections with like-minded individuals, even from a different generation. “This album really resonated with them,” Ron explains. “Beginning with the first single, ‘Do Things My Own Way’. That encapsulates their company philosophy of going against the norm. They appreciate good music and have, in our eyes, great taste. So, yes, we've connected with them significantly!”
With ‘MAD!’ now available, Sparks are already making future plans. They have several large shows scheduled in Japan, as well as their first
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Don't look now, but Sparks has gone completely crazy. With 28 albums under their belt, they are creating music that surpasses their contemporaries and poses a challenge to artists who are more than half their age.