Originally from County Meath, the international country-pop musician Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, commonly known as CMAT, is a new sensation artist who has won the hearts of many with her characteristic witty songs. Her debut album If My Wife New I’d Be Dead was released on 25 February 2022 and introduced us to her bold and refreshing music world. The unique blend of country, pop and indie sparks has crafted her music to be both nostalgic and contemporary. Her most recent album titled Crazymad, For Me, was released in 2023 and contributed to her unsurprisingly worldwide success, being recently nominated to an Ivor Novello.
Starting with the track “Nashville”, this debut album establishes an interesting country-like musical universe from the very beginning. The song blends humour and heartache very seamlessly with an engaging choice of chord progressions. Another of her standout songs on the album is “I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby”. Its playful lyrics and catchy melody reinforce her ability to infuse her yearning for country music, but presented with a modern twist, making it her own.
Another memorable hit is “I Don’t Really Care For You” which absorbs our attention with a catchy piano riff, which is followed by the nostalgia that emanates from the sixth track “Groundhog Day”. And even though other tracks lean more towards a more recent indie pop genre like “No More Virgos”, CMAT successfully blends both styles, in a way that slightly reminisces the music of Missouri’s “Midwest Princess” Chappel Roan.
What struck me the most from this album is the brilliance in which she takes her Irish pop roots to a country territory, travelling thousands of miles across the pond. In If My Wife New I’d Be Dead CMAT’s sense of humour and her authentic personality spark brightly in every note, just like she does in her live performances.
All in all, this debut album feels like a puff of fresh air in the current music industry. Her truly quirky self has made her one of the most successful Irish musicians at the moment, getting nominated many times and eventually being awarded ‘Album of the Year’ in 2022 by Choice Music Price. So, get ready for the summer and get your copy of this fun and delightful Irish icon here!
