Embracing chaos, but to what end?
Sparks’ latest release, the Madder EP, is a frenetic four-track experiment that seems designed less for listening and more for provoking visceral reactions. Clocking in at only 15 minutes, the EP is a disorienting sonic whirlwind that, while undeniably creative, feels more like an endurance test than a cohesive musical statement.
True to its name, Madder is unhinged. Each track lurches in a different stylistic direction, as if the band is actively trying to escape being placed into a singular genre. For some listeners, that unpredictability may be thrilling. For others, it may feel like a form of audio whiplash, making it near impossible to form a concrete opinion on. Either way, the effect is unignorable.
The opener, “Porcupine,” sets the tone with off-kilter synths and shrill, abrasive vocals that are instantly divisive. It’s a track that demands attention but offers little reward in return. Its central lyric, “She’s a porcupine, not your cuddly kind,” lands with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, feeling as if the band believes their audience couldn’t understand what they were trying to convey unless dished out directly in front of them eloquently. A jarring guitar shift early in the song injects a dose of aggression, but rather than adding depth to the track, it adds to the growing sense of confusion. The song isn’t even four minutes long, yet somehow overstays its welcome.
“Mess Up” shares a similarly electronic, chaotic energy with a sound that wouldn’t feel out of place in a hyperactive video game. There’s an intentional sense of disarray here, but little emotional anchor to keep the listener engaged past its novelty.
The EP’s other half takes a spookier turn. “Fantasize” and “They” both flirt with eerie, Halloween-esque melodies, offering a moodier counterpoint to the otherworldly feel in “Mess Up” and “Porcupine.”
“They” stands out as the most atmospherically successful piece, leaning into a gothic ambiance that feels incredibly immersive. Meanwhile, “Fantasize” is bordering on a lyrical mess — its verses read like a stream-of-consciousness diary entry, raw but incoherent. And yet, there’s something oddly cathartic about its chorus, singing “Run far away, run and hide. Know that in time shame subsides.” It’s one of the few moments on the EP that feels emotionally resonant rather than dissonant.
Ultimately, Madder is a polarizing work. Sparks clearly revel in defying expectations, and their commitment to weirdness is admirable. But novelty alone doesn’t sustain a listener’s attention for long. The EP may resonate with a niche audience, but for many, it’s a baffling, emotionally erratic ride that’s more exhausting than exhilarating.
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