Mayflower Madame - Insight (2024)

Norwegian psych gaze masters Mayflower Madame have delivered one somber beauty of a third album, dedicated to front-man Trond Fagernes’ stillborn daughter. ‘A Foretold Ecstasy’ is a post punk masterpiece that echoes The Chameleons and Sad Lovers and Giants. They paint on an icy sonic palette that reflects the far North where the band dwells. In these dark days of approaching winter with shorter days, this album is the perfect shot of music I need. The record was mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio and is a refinement of the band’s always entrancing sound.

‘Never Sever’ is noir pop with a catchy hook at its dark heart. Light pierces through with sharp shafts of melody, while the pulsating vibe gets your toes tapping. ‘Marionette’ could easily have been lifted from classic 80s post punk, and I once again hear echoes of Mark Burgess in the mix. ‘Tightrope Walker’ is unsettling thick, dark pop that moves into the slightly more transparent single ‘Paint It All In Blue’. The melody stays with you after it fades, the true mark of a good song. ‘Crippled Crow’ is catchy but sinister, and rattles your brain with its volume. The album closes out with the sad ‘Insight for the Mourning Hours’, another song that channels Trond’s grief.

The entire listening experience may leave you spellbound, and demands a good set of headphones to catch all the nuances. Recommended for all dark psych and post punk fans!