The iconic duo Sparks is back with another electrifying release! Their latest single, "Drowned in a Sea of Tears," has just dropped, giving fans an emotional yet captivating preview of their upcoming album Mad! The Mael brothers—Ron and Russell—are also set to embark on a thrilling North American tour this fall, bringing their legendary artistry to cities across the continent.
A Hauntingly Beautiful Visual Experience
Accompanying the single is a visually compelling music video, directed by Amber Navarro, that tells a deeply emotional story. In the video, Russell Mael's narrator character attempts to be a "savior" for a woman struggling to recover from an overwhelming emotional crisis. The visuals are nothing short of stunning—the protagonist is literally drowning in her own car as it fills up with tears, a powerful metaphor for emotional turmoil. This artistic interpretation elevates the song, making it an unforgettable experience for viewers.
A Rarely Explored Side of Sparks
Despite their decades-long career, Sparks rarely draw inspiration from relationship themes, making "Drowned in a Sea of Tears" a unique addition to their discography. Ron Mael, speaking with NME, revealed, "We don’t usually get inspired by anything that's happened in a relationship context, and it wasn't inspired by any particular incident. I hate to use the term 'sincerity,' because we're sincere about everything we write. But we wanted to write something from a more traditional feeling of what a pop song should be, lyrically. A few songs on this album were inspired by that."
Mad! – A Highly Anticipated Release
The single marks the third preview from Mad!, which is set to drop on May 23 via Transgressive Records. Sparks have already given fans a taste of what’s to come with their previous singles, "Do Things My Own Way" and "JanSport Backpack." With their signature blend of wit, theatricality, and musical ingenuity, Mad! promises to be another standout entry in Sparks' extensive catalog.
A Prolific Streak Continues
For those who have followed Sparks' incredible journey, it’s no surprise that the Mael brothers have been particularly prolific in recent years. Mad! will be their 26th studio album—a staggering achievement in itself! But that's not all. They also collaborated with visionary director Leos Carax on the critically acclaimed movie musical Annette and explored their own legacy in Edgar Wright’s fascinating documentary The Sparks Brothers.
And guess what? Sparks are heading back into the world of film! Their next cinematic venture is set to be another musical, this time directed by none other than action-movie legend John Woo.
"After Annette, we wanted to do another movie musical that channels what we do, without it just being another Sparks album," Russell Mael shared in the NME interview. "John Woo said in an interview that he’d never done a musical, which we were astounded by. We’re fans of his, so about a year ago, we approached him with our idea. He heard the whole two hours of what will be the film and said: ‘I love this, let's do it.’ We now have some great producers working on it, and it's hopefully going into production soon-ish."
Catch Sparks on Their North American Tour!
Adding to the excitement, Sparks have announced a monthlong North American tour kicking off in September. Fans across the U.S. and Canada will get a chance to witness their legendary performances live. Check out the full list of tour dates below:
Sparks 2024 North American Tour Dates:
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September 5 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
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September 8 – Philadelphia, PA – Keswick Theatre
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September 9 – Washington, D.C. – Lincoln Theatre
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September 11 – Boston, MA – Berklee Performance Center
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September 12 – Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theatre
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September 14 – Columbus, OH – The Athenaeum Theatre
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September 15 – Cleveland, OH – TempleLive at Cleveland Masonic
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September 17 – Toronto, ON – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
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September 20 – St. Paul, MN – Fitzgerald Theater
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September 23 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
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September 24 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre
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September 26 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall
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September 27 – San Francisco, CA – Golden Gate Theatre
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September 29 – El Cajon, CA – The Magnolia
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September 30 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre
With a highly anticipated album, a thrilling new film project, and a tour that promises unforgettable performances, Sparks continue to prove why they remain one of the most innovative and enduring acts in music history. Don’t miss out on what promises to be an exciting year for Sparks and their devoted fans!
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