Crazymad, for Me
2023 studio album by CMAT
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Crazymad, for Me is the second studio album by the Irish pop musician CMAT, released on 13 October 2023 through CMATBaby and AWAL. The album includes a guest appearance from the American alternative rock singer John Grant and was preceded by the lead single "Whatever's Inconvenient". It received acclaim from critics, and was nominated for the 2024 Mercury Prize.[2]
| Crazymad, for Me | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 13 October 2023 | |||
| Genres | ||||
| Length | 48:43 | |||
| Labels |
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| Producer | Matias Tellez | |||
| CMAT chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Crazymad, for Me | ||||
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Background
Described as a concept album about a 47-year-old CMAT time travelling back to the past to prevent herself from being in a relationship that "ruined her life",[3] as well as "an abstract break-up album" about "what happens when you are still angry about something that happened 10 years ago".[4]
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 84/100[5] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| And It Don't Stop | A−[6] |
| DIY |  [7] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 9/10[8] |
| Mojo |  [9] |
| NME | [1] |
| The Skinny | [10] |
Crazymad, for Me received a score of 84 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on 12 critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[5] Sarah Jamieson of DIY wrote that CMAT "transforms pop culture into poetry, painting the most vivid of worlds in the process, while her brand of country-indebted pop feels even richer this time around".[7] The Skinny's Skye Butchard found it to be "funnier, weirder, and plays with a more colourful blend of Americana" than CMAT's debut studio album, and felt that it "also reveals more depth and ambition. For one, it's a breakup album that's not shy about admitting flaws in its protagonist".[10] Tilly Foulkes of NME summarised the album as "brilliant" as well as "inventive, intoxicating, deliciously camp – she continues to transcend all expectations and remains absolutely unmatched".[1]
Mojo called it "hyper-melancholic [and] ultra-vivid" and observed that it "showcases Thompson's off-beam pop skills, a distinctive voice in every way".[9] Adam Wright of The Line of Best Fit described the album as a "unique piece of work; creating a psychedelic soundscape with a foundation of country-influenced chord progressions. Its themes of heartbreak and regret meanwhile are, of course, commonly walked paths but it's the presentation of such themes that give the album its edge".[8]
Music critic Robert Christgau compared CMAT to fellow singer SZA, highlighting their common "pervasive theme" of "serial coitus". He added that "CMAT's singing is leaner, cuter, and by no means shy about trying hard." [6]
The Guardian ranked it the 50th best album of 2023.[11]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "California" | 4:05 | |
| 2. | "Phone Me" |
| 3:24 |
| 3. | "Vincent Kompany" |
| 3:01 |
| 4. | "Such a Miranda" | 2:35 | |
| 5. | "Rent" | 4:42 | |
| 6. | "Where Are Your Kids Tonight?" (featuring John Grant) | 5:26 | |
| 7. | "Can't Make Up My Mind" | 4:24 | |
| 8. | "Whatever's Inconvenient" |
| 4:27 |
| 9. | "I... Hate Who I Am When I'm Horny" | 5:13 | |
| 10. | "Torn Apart" | 3:20 | |
| 11. | "Stay for Something" |
| 3:36 |
| 12. | "Have Fun!" |
| 4:30 |
| Total length: | 48:43 | ||
Personnel
- CMAT – vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar (track 4), drums (track 10)
- Mattias Tellez – electric guitar, acoustic guitar (except track 9), bass guitar (track 5), drums (tracks 5 and 10), synthesizer (tracks 6–8, 10 and 11), tambourine (tracks 6, 10 and 11), organ (tracks 7 and 8), Wurlitzer (track 7), programming (tracks 10 and 12)
- Øyvind Blomstrøm – electric guitar (except tracks 2, 4 and 10)
- Colm Conlan – Wurlitzer (tracks 1, 2, 7 and 8), piano (tracks 3, 6, 9 and 12)
- Chris Holm – bass guitar (all except tracks 4 and 10)
- Kim Åge Furuhaug – drums (all except tracks 4, 8 and 10)
- Mari Persen – violin (tracks 1–3, 12)
- Oliver Hill – violin, string arrangement (track 8)
- Ena Brennan – string arrangement (track 2)
- Declan McKenna – backing vocals, shaker, banjo (track 3)
- John Grant – vocals (track 6)
- Matt Barrick – drums (track 8)
- Josh Kaufman – guitar, bass, keys, synthesizer (track 8)
Charts
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish Albums (Official Charts)[12] | 1 |
| Scottish Albums (Official Charts)[13] | 14 |
| UK Albums (Official Charts)[14] | 25 |
| UK Independent Albums (Official Charts)[15] | 4 |