ALBUM REVIEW: CMAT – If My Wife New I’d Be Dead

AWAL Recordings

Released: 04.03.22

Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, better known as CMAT, describes her music as being like if XTC made music for The Nolans that was recorded with Glen Campbell and covered by Paris Hilton. That description is testament to CMAT’s extremely diverse taste, but her debut album is more focused than this suggests.

Although she doesn’t describe herself as a country artist, it kicks off with stomper Nashville, its reference points becoming the cornerstones of If My Wife New I’d Be Dead alongside power pop flourishes. CMAT’s lyrics drip in specificity that makes you prick your ears up but it’s a frustration that sometimes the album feels a little one-tempo, detracting somewhat from its charms. Listen to: Every Bottle (Is My Boyfriend).