Sparks unveil 'Mad!': New pop starting point

Sparks' new album, "Mad!", was released on May 23, 2025 via Transgressive Records. This 28th studio release features 12 tracks, including the hits "JanSport Backpack" and "Do Things My Own Way". Recorded with a permanent band of musicians, the Sparks will soon embark on a world tour that began in June. As Ron and Russell Maela note, the album was created using the traditional Sparks methodology, without prejudice. “We just try to do what we like,” says Russell Mael. In the process of creation, they value the freedom of experimentation, often starting with a clean slate, relying on internal sensations and ready-made communication with musicians. “It’s important for us to create pop music that can surprise without resorting to artificiality,” they add, emphasizing their love of the genre and their desire for novelty, while maintaining the Sparks’ recognizable style.