CMAT GIRL SUMMER

Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson (aka CMAT) shines on 'Euro- Country', writes Louis Chilton. And folk-rock duo Flyte's 'Between You and Me' is masterful, says Roisin O'Connor

- Roisin O'Connor

CMAT – Euro-Country

CMAT is having a CMoment. Her third album, Euro-Country, comes at the end of an electric summer for the Irish musician born Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson – a summer that included standout sets at Glastonbury Festival and a blistering headline performance at Green Man. In his five-star review of that festival, Stephen Carlick wrote that Euro-Country is “poised to launch [CMAT] stratospheric”. The stratosphere is a tall order, but this punchy and charismatic pop record certainly won't hurt her chances.

Over the course of 11 tracks (not counting a short, lyricless introduction), CMAT throws herself headlong into the disorienting mess of life under late capitalism. It's lyricism with a real voice - contemporary, wry, and pop-culture-savvy - set to buoyant pop-rock music that's catchy and vaguely Chappell Roan-esque. “The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station” interrogates her arbitrary hatred for the British celebrity chef, before spinning off into shrewd introspection. “Lord, Let That Tesla Crash” is a sad, sincere indie folk number, with a defiant wit to it, bringing out the soulful sharpness of CMAT’s singing voice.