Finally! CMAT’s incredibly hyped new album, EURO-COUNTRY, is here. Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, bka CMAT, has grown in popularity over the past couple months, and with good reason.

Singles from the record have been in constant rotation over the past few months. ‘The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station’ for example is a wildly chaotic but perfect track. It’s tongue in cheek and uses humour and pop culture absurdity to explore deeper emotional truths. Starting as a mocking rant, it becomes a humorous, reflective plea to be less judgmental.

EURO-COUNTRY as a whole fluctuates between this sort of surrealism and exploration of what ultimately makes us tick. ‘Lord Let That Tesla Crash’ is another great take on current events whilst holding themes which resonate with all. A more melodic and laid back song where a light guitar plays while CMAT sings in a sort of spoken word style. Angelically, absurdly relatable lyrics are uttered, such as “I don’t miss you like I should / but I’d kill myself to find out if you think this song is good.”

The title track is an instant classic that ranks up there with the best of what CMAT has made to date. A country-esque track which nods to Ireland’s ties to the Euro with a withering critique of capitalism. The song opens with ethereal Gaelic lyrics then evolves into a sweeping, almost cinematic arrangement.

EURO-COUNTRY is theatrical and bold. Emotional and clever. This album is one of those masterpieces you need to listen to in full, over and over again – physical purchasing required.