Countdown to Christmas: December 23rd in OUTSIDELEFT

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Probably needs no further explanation but a big chunk of our 2025 seasonal celebrations are being administered by a tag team of our writers, Ogglypoogly and DJ Fuzzyfelt

CMAT tree Decoration CMAT
Euro-Country

There might only be "tree, six, foive" days a year, but every last one of them has a time and space to listen to our first lady of pop

As I sit, delaying the annual chaos of preparing chez-poogly for Christmas, it seems like it should be more than just shy of three years should have passed from the day CMAT went from being an act I was 'aware of' to one who'd quietly devastate me with a single refrain.

I've maintained since that day, that CMAT is something truly special, that the rise to international stardom was inevitable. I half knew, and fully expected that ascent to be chaotic and play out in fast forward. But it feels like perhaps I've woken from a years long coma to find young Ms Thompson rightly at the top of her game, having followed a slightly more traditional trajectory.

To say that as an album Euro-Country something special, doesn't carry the emphasis with enough gravitas.

Whilst I've been mindful to not write these pieces in any particular ranked order I've consciously saved this till last,

Without hesitation this is entirely my Album of the year. I've spent the closing third of 2025 losing myself in this. All sounds and lyrics that have me smiling through devastation. Adding a spring to my step on wanders across the city, providing a secret soundtrack as the seasons turned, nights drew in and the fading memory of warm breezes were ushered out by a cold stillness that will hold us all in limbo through the awkward week between celebrations that's about to start.

As has been true of so many Albums this year, the experience of listening is elevated beyond all expectations when you catch a live show.

CMAT, and the very sexy CMAT band possess the exact amounts of chaos, fun and frankly ridiculous musical prowess to bring new dimensions of life to her creations.

The energy she brings to a live show is boundless, and overwhelmingly wonderful. That her most recent tour sold out before the release of 'Take a Sexy Picture of me and the power of an almost incidental viral craze on social media introduced CMAT to the masses, seems mind boggling to look back at now, and leaves me to wonder how long till the arena shows start.

The songs speak for themselves, I've reviewed the Album already, and as predicted then, yes it's landing differently now, the sentiments finding me when I'm ready, or when I need them.

CMAT is a rare treasure, and taking centre stage in place of an angel on the tree this year.