In the wake of her Grammy-nominated 2024 album Weird Faith, Madi Diaz was ready to “Feel Something.” On the follow-up Fatal Optimist, released in October, Diaz explores the risks of seeking hope and fighting against a surge of mixed feelings.
Working alongside co-producer Gabe Wax, Diaz showcases a stripped-down acoustic sound as the album begins. She tells a story, rooted in past love and heartbreak and the struggle to surpass it. From wishing she didn’t seek the things she desires in “Hope Less” to recognizing that time can heal wounds in “If Time Does What It’s Supposed To,” Diaz expresses her vulnerability in seeking the silver lining. By the end of the album, she’s moved away from the melancholy acoustic sound into a brighter, full-band folk-pop sound, reflecting lyrics about making her peace with that turmoil.
A month after releasing Fatal Optimist, Diaz dropped a track-for-track acoustic cover of Blink-182’s Enema of the State exclusively on Bandcamp, called Enema of the Garden State because she worked on it in New Jersey between sessions for Fatal Optimist. Proceeds from sales go to the Defending Our Neighbors Fund, which supports immigrant families in the U.S. Provided the weather cooperates, which seems likely, your next chance to catch Diaz in town is coming up Friday night, when she’ll join in the celebration of The Basement’s 21st anniversary. After that she’ll head out for the European/U.K. leg of her tour, beginning with a show Feb. 11 at the Oslo Hackney in London. Follow Diaz on Instagram for more.
