Confronting Capitalism, Body Shaming, and Mental Health in the Music Industry

In a world where pop stars are often expected to maintain a neutral, commercial persona, CMAT is a refreshing anomaly. The Irish singer-songwriter has built a reputation for her unapologetic lyrics, which tackle topics like capitalism, body shaming, and mental health with unflinching honesty. Her latest album, Euro-Country, is a powerful expression of her unwavering commitment to speaking truth to power.

CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1996. She grew up in a working-class family and moved to Manchester at 22 to pursue a career in music. It was during this time that she worked in TK Maxx and as a “sexy shots girl” in a nightclub, experiences that would later influence her music. In an interview, she recalled writing the song that changed her life, “I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!”, while feeling “completely alone” and “absolutely stoned out of my bin” in her flat in Chorlton.

The song’s success catapulted her to lockdown-era fame in her native Ireland, and her subsequent albums, If My Wife New I’d Be Dead and Crazymad, for Me, solidified her position as a rising star in the music industry. Her music is a unique blend of country, pop, and indie influences, with lyrics that often focus on themes of love, relationships, and self-discovery.

However, CMAT’s success has come at a cost. Her mental health has suffered, and she has struggled with auditory hallucinations, which she describes as “stress hives; you’re mental.” Despite this, she continues to push the boundaries of her music, incorporating synth-heavy sounds and distorted alt-rock into her latest album. Euro-Country is a noticeably more political album than its predecessors, tackling topics like the financial crisis that engulfed Ireland in 2008 and the rise of a “putrefied version of capitalism” that prioritizes monetary gain over human well-being.

CMAT’s willingness to speak out on sensitive topics has not gone unnoticed. She has faced backlash on social media, including abuse directed at her weight, but she remains unapologetic. Her latest single, “Take a Sexy Picture of Me”, is a powerful response to body shaming, and its accompanying TikTok dance trend has sparked a much-needed conversation about the commodification of women’s bodies.

In an era where pop music often serves as a means of temporary escape from the world’s troubles, CMAT’s unapologetic voice is a breath of fresh air. She acknowledges that her message may be perceived as “cringe” or “earnest”, but she remains resolute in her commitment to speaking truth to power. As she puts it, “We’ve all been too measured, too careful because we’re being witnessed all the time. I think we need more willingness to fail. Even if it’s futile, you’ve got to fucking try. Because it’s fucking depressing otherwise.”

CMAT’s music and message have resonated with fans around the world, and she has become a beacon of hope for those who feel marginalized or silenced. With Euro-Country, she continues to push the boundaries of what pop music can say and do, inspiring a new generation of artists and fans to speak truth to power.