A Thousand Mad Things shares brilliant playful new single + video “Promises”
January 9, 2026 BY Emma Orland
Having firmly established himself in 2025 with the release of his striking debut EP Cry & Dance, exemplary shows at The Great Escape and Sound City, opening for The Human League and gaining support at BBC 6 Music – A Thousand Mad Things commences his new era with the release of a bold and infectious single “Promises” out now on Nettwerk.
“Promises” is a uniquely playful synthpop moment from one of the UK’s most interesting and noteworthy new artists, mixing elements of classic darkwave with a swinging rhythm and distinctly wry, satirical and self-reflecting lyrics.
“It’s about recognising emotional manipulation and choosing not to retaliate, holding your own moral line instead.” – A Thousand Mad Things.
STREAM AND SHARE “PROMISES”
https://athousandmadthings.ffm.to/promises
“PROMISES” VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZUzod8ao3c
A Thousand Mad Things is the artistic world of UK-born performer and producer William Barradale. At its musical core, representing and embracing Gen Z’s pull to nostalgia and the deeply self expressive; he celebrates imperfection and rejects the pervasive, relentless pursuit of flawlessness and progress with no end goal, in order to make art that is authentic, powerful, honest and raw.
Growing up queer in suburban England, A Thousand Mad Things found his musical sense of self in a genre’s icons who turned vulnerability and darkness into something bold and expressive. Inspired by the rawness of the 80s sonic palette, his emotionally rich, operatic vocals define the project’s identity and deliver vivid vignettes and stories carried from youth into adulthood. Unwavering lyricism transforms personal stories of pain and self contempt into infatuating, hedonistic, heartbreaking pop. It invites listeners to reconnect with their own pasts through a sense of theatrical honesty and carefree abandon.
