Transgressive Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Ron and Russell Mael's 28th album as Sparks finds the eccentric, iconic sibling duo in typically fun and forthright form. Ironically titled MAD! - a label that has been used plenty of times to describe their self-contained sound world - the set sees them offer up frequently lightly satirical songs inspired by such subjects as branded packpacks (the gloriously silly 'JanSport Backpack'), performative devotion, toxic banter and online influencer culture - all soundtracked by the brothers' unique musical blend of fuzzy guitars, new wave synth-pop sounds, over-the-top operatic references and oddball electronic noises. Basically, it's a Sparks album - and an excellent one at that.