I love a song that practices what it preaches; where sound and theme are aligned in perfect harmony – and that’s precisely the experience offered by Danish quartet Sunraker’s latest single. ‘Mad’, taken from the band’s eponymous EP out 29th May, delves into the dark side of love. Being drawn to danger, captivated by a toxic love that will only bring pain, blinded and bewitched by a relationship destined to unravel. We hear that dark gothic romance echoed perfectly in ‘Mad’s eclectic sonic palette. Frontman Sophus Alf’s impassioned vocals recalling the New Romantics of the 80s, while the killer rhythm section brings heavy grunge energy to bear. Guitar work that takes sweeping bittersweet melodies worthy of The Smiths and injects them with an ethereal shoegaze shimmer. The uplifting empyreal breakdown at the song’s centre feeling like the brief calm at the eye of a hurricane, before the roiling tempest comes crashing back in. This track sees Sunraker gather a real melting pot of styles and ideas, all in service of crafting the perfect balance of crushing darkness and shimmering radiant melody.