Madness - 'NW5'

Since their highly acclaimed performance at last year’s Glastonbury Festival we have been long awaiting the release of new material from these ska legends. Thankfully Madness are back with their latest offering ‘NW5’ to show us they can still write the perfect pop song. The recognizable harmonies are strong and eventually lead into the slightly disappointing but nether the less uplifting chorus. Suggs smartly sings: “I would give you everything/For just that smile you bring.”

The piano hooks and darker melody have been elected ahead of the traditional ska sound but merely remind us that Madness were more then a one trick pony band and have deservedly stayed around for almost thirty years. This is what we love and want from Suggs - not those stupid fish finger adverts.

Released 14/01/08 on Lucky Seven Records.