Irish country-pop superstar CMAT (@cmatbaby) announces her new album “EURO-COUNTRY,” her most important record to date, set for release on August 29 via AWAL. The news is accompanied by an official music video for the focus track “Running/Planning.”
CMAT – “Running/Planning” (Official Video)
On “Running/Planning,” which premiered on BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record, CMAT says: “‘Running/Planning’ is about having to chase your own tail to be good enough to exist. It’s an abstracted view of societal pressure on women – specifically through a relationship lens: You start dating someone, you get engaged, you get married, you have kids, etc., etc., etc… everything has to follow this linear pattern. (That’s the reason for the repetitive chorus!). And the minute you don’t follow that path, your mam starts giving out to you. That narrow path that everyone is supposed to be on… the minute you get outside of that, it gets incredibly stressful. And I don’t know anyone who is like, ‘Yeah, love this!”
Despite this being CMAT’s third album, this fully-formed acronymic star feels like she’s been part of the culture forever. Her “EURO-COUNTRY” album follows 2023’s brilliant “Crazymad, For Me” – a project that propelled CMAT to wider attention and garnered numerous accolades including a BRITs Best International Artistnod; and ‘Best Album’ nominations from the Ivors; Mercury Prize, and the Choice Music Prize in her native Ireland (an award she won for her debut If My Wife New I’d Be Dead).
CMAT
Press, radio, and television have all been integral in CMAT’s rise, with numerous covers, five-star reviews, playlists, Maida Vale sessions, and TV appearances, including Jools Holland (both Later… and a memorable turn on his Hootenanny) and The Graham Norton Show. A relentless touring schedule with The Very Sexy CMAT Band has cemented her reputation as one of the best live acts around.
CMAT recently unveiled a mammoth run of UK live dates – including a high-profile Glastonbury slot and her biggest headliners to date: London’s O2 Academy Brixton and Dubin’s 3 Arena. Buy tickets from StubHub.com to see CMAT perform LIVE.
CMAT – “EURO-COUNTRY” album
The new album – released via AWAL Recordings – was recorded in New York and co-produced by long-time collaborator Oli Deakin and CMAT. “EURO-COUNTRY” tackles several big themes including personal reflections on economics, identity, and grief. It marks another step in the unstoppable rise of CMAT and cements her position as a generational songwriter.
What has endeared fans to her heart-sore tunes and humor is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson’s ability to combine contradictory themes and moods: wide-eye drama with self-deprecation; the fusion of country and pop, with even more influences stretching across decades and genres. “EURO-COUNTRY” is no different: an aural tight-rope walk that balances big themes, specifically: the impact of economics on a small country, the attention that comes with increased fame (not all of it good), and being a woman.
Speaking about the LP, CMAT said: “‘EURO-COUNTRY’ is, I think, the best thing I have ever made. I felt halfway through recording it was the most important record I’ve made for myself… mainly because it was making me go crazy. I’m always going to make the work I want to make because there is a little gremlin in my head that tells me if it’s sh*t. More than success, there’s a bigger gremlin that wants me to make music that’s really good. She’s brutal and has ruined my life at times, but she is the keeper of my life and she’s always right.”
We recommend adding CMAT’s “Running/Planning” single to your favorite indie pop playlist. We would love to hear your thoughts! Comment below and let us know how you feel. Your feedback helps us bring you more of what you love to discover. As always, thanks for reading another great article on Bong Mines Entertainment.com, your go-to source for new music and entertainment news. Remember, (P)ositive (E)nergy (A)lways (C)reates (E)levation—P.E.A.C.E.
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