Sparks Deconstruct New Album MAD! Track by Track

This article was originally published on Consequence

More than half a century into their career, Sparks are still operating at full capacity. Through several lineup changes since their debut in 1971, brothers Ron and Russel Mael have remained by each other’s side and have now released MAD!, their 26th studio album together.

In 2025, the siblings from Southern California are persisting in their mission to spread the good word of synth pop and new wave through a collection of fresh tunes that have no discernible theme except that they are unmistakably Sparks. Brilliant in its occasional silliness and unchanging eccentricity, the LP is just another addition to a catalog that continues to get richer with each release.

Across the 12 tracks that make up MAD!, the Maels bounce from “the nightmare of what’s going on in the world today” to “the frustrations of waiting at that incredibly long red light” to “an ode to our grand Los Angeles freeway, the I-405.”

In addition to a handful of songs about love and romance, they ensure that the record offers motivation and uplifts listeners by encouraging them to “follow [their] own muse” and “get [their] ass in gear and do something.” Sure, there’s a whole lot going on, yet it never sounds unfocused; rather, these songs feel like relatable musings of a regular scatterbrain in song format.

Stream MAD! below, and keep scrolling for a Track by Track breakdown by Russell Mael.

“Do Things My Own Way”:

This song is Sparks’ manifesto of sorts. It is something we’ve adopted from day one — follow your own muse and you’ll be fine.

“JanSport Backpack”:

A relationship song where a JanSport backdrop becomes symbolic of the departure of the lead character’s partner. He views her from behind as she dons the backpack. “Why, oh why, oh why/ Do you keep turning away?” Sonically, a futuristic Beach Boys?

“Hit Me, Baby”:

The speaker pleading for someone to wake him up — “hit me baby” — from the nightmare he’s having — the nightmare of what’s going on in the world today. Things out there now aren’t good, in case you hadn’t noticed or you permanently reside under a rock somewhere in Idaho.

“Running Up a Tab at the Hotel for a Fab”:

Someone trying to impress a partner by wining and dining her at a posh hotel. Only thing is, he ain’t got the means to pay for all this. Then, obviously, he’s hauled off to Rikers [Island] prison, but he still maintains that it was all worth it for her.

“My Devotion”:

Again, shifting the tone to a sweet relationship where not only has our guy written the name of his girlfriend on his shoe, but he’s also thinking about getting a tattoo. Hopefully, this relationship will last, as it’s tough finding a good tattoo removal place these days.

“Don’t Dog It”:

A motivational opus? Maybe. Get your ass in gear and do something. All to a lovely beat.

“In Daylight”:

If the Everly Brothers were still making records and wanted to make a statement on the flattering aspects of nighttime, this would be that song.

“I -405 Rules”:

An ode to our grand Los Angeles freeway, the I-405. We don’t have the Seine River, but we do have this oftentimes magnificent parking lot of cars. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

“A Long Red Light”:

From our forthcoming opera about the frustrations of waiting at that incredibly long red light. And no, it’s not a metaphor — it’s about the frustration of that long red light.

“Drowned in a Sea of Tears”:

A relationship song that has gone off course despite the efforts of the gentleman’s best efforts to right the course. The video for the song captures the dark tone of the predicament that the female character finds herself in, literally drowning in a sea of tears.

“A Little Bit of Light Banter”:

As the day winds down, the nightly ritual of trivial chitchat until when it’s time to turn off the light.

“Lord Have Mercy”:

It’s a love song where our protagonist nightly hears a sweet song coming from his lover’s lips as she gently sleeps. He’s heard all sorts of melodies before, even the busker down the street, but nothing comes close to this tune emanating from her lips. Bliss.

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