Album Review: Madi Diaz - 'Weird Faith'
Madi Diaz is back with her emotional new album Weird Faith.
The alternative singer-songwriter has returned with a new record Weird Faith, and it’s a sensitive, impressive album that further proves her ability as a songwriter and musician.
Since releasing History Of A Feeling in 2021, Diaz has had a very busy few years.
She received a phone call informing her that Harry Styles had hand-picked her to open for him on tour, then later asked her to join his live band. So, she set off on a three-month long world tour. Since then, she has also released single and an EP, seeing her collaborate with artists such as Waxahatchee and Angel Olsen.
Weird Faith sees Diaz unpacking and exploring the feels that come with falling in love. None of these songs sound particularly like love songs, and she herself has admitted that she finds it hard to write ‘syrupy, bubble-gum-y songs’. This record is filled with layered, emotionally intelligent tracks.
Opening with the lead single Same Risk, she lets us know what we’re in for straight away. “What the f**k do you want? ‘Cause I’ll give you all that I’ve got” she sings in the opening line. It’s filled with gentle, solid guitar, melodic and steady. “Are we taking the same risk?” she asks boldly.
Everything Almost is next, and it’s much faster, up-tempo. It was released as the third single and you can see why; it’s catchy, well produced, and enjoyable to listen to. “You can have everything but not at the same time” Diaz finishes a verse.
Songs such as Girlfriend and Hurting You are both sparse but cut deep. The former is just a soft electric guitar, Diaz’s crystal-clear vocals unfolding in our ears. “It’s only weird when you call him/It’s only weird cause we’re not friends” she delivers in the chorus. Hurting You is a piano ballad that is so raw and vulnerable it feels like we’re getting a glance deep into her inner monologue. “Right now I know it’s hard for you to see/Hurting you is hurting me” the lyric is simple, but it’s all we need to hear, and it gets the point across.
God Person is one of the most beautifully written songs I have heard all year. It’s sensitive, vulnerable, and deep. The song sees Diaz asking soul-searching questions, backed by ethereal guitar and light, stunning vocals. “I’m not a God person/But I’m never not searching” Diaz informs us.
The next track is Don’t Do Me Good, featuring Kacey Musgraves. It was released as the second single and it’s an obvious contender for one. It is incredibly well produced, and Musgraves is a perfect fit on the song. “I know loving you, it don’t do me good” they harmonize together. It’s powerful, and cathartic to listen to.
This album has given a home to a song that Diaz wrote a few years back, with her friend and fellow artist Wrabel; For Months Now. It’s quite possibly the most painful track on the record. Diaz is informing a partner that she is no longer invested in the relationship, and as the title would suggest, has been leaving them ‘for months now’. “I don’t love you like I used to/I just don’t know how to tell you” She tells them. Brutal.
“This record is about the beginning of love, and saying every feeling out loud, when I feel it, for better or worse because I can’t help it” Diaz explains.
Weird Faith is an album full of gorgeously written, achingly personal songs. My faith in Madi Diaz as an artist continues.
Words by Lucy Skeet
