Released on October 2, 2025, “It’s All Mad Out Here” by ColourTelly is more than just an album—it’s a bold, unfiltered commentary on our world. At a time when conversations around AI, war, and economic disparity dominate the headlines, ColourTelly captures this unease and channels it into a record that is both musically distinctive and thematically powerful.
Hailing from South London, ColourTelly is a hip-hop and neo-soul duo whose sound blends smooth, soulful melodies with sharp, conscious lyricism. Their work often reflects the pulse of the city they live in, but on this release, they go even deeper, building an entire sonic landscape that mirrors the chaos and uncertainty of modern life. The album was produced by Ollie Chubb with vocals from Evangeline Cunningham, and features guest appearances from ILLAMAN and Sanity mc.
What sets this project apart right from the start is its analog approach. While many artists rely heavily on digital software, ColourTelly made a creative choice to work almost exclusively with hardware. From vintage synths to tape machines, the textures across “It’s All Mad Out Here” feel tactile and alive. Even the recording locations contribute to this authenticity—some sessions took place in a studio, others at home, and some right on the streets of South London. The team even used a binaural head to capture the ambient sounds of sirens and city life, weaving them seamlessly into the tracks.
Musically, the record draws inspiration from iconic groups like Portishead and Radiohead. You can hear this influence in the moody, atmospheric production and in the way the melodies stretch beyond conventional structures. But ColourTelly doesn’t simply imitate—they build something entirely their own. It’s gritty yet soulful, dark but strangely comforting.
Thematically, this is a record that confronts reality head-on. Originally conceived as a fictional dystopian story, the album quickly transformed into a reflection of real-world events. It explores the rise of AI, the spread of far-right ideologies, the power of social media, and the widening gap between the wealthy and the rest. It’s a body of work that doesn’t flinch away from difficult truths, but rather turns them into art.
https://spotify.link/sPmV943jCXb
Two standout tracks, “Living in the City” and “Don’t Look Down,” encapsulate the heart of this album. The former layers urban soundscapes with rhythmic beats, grounding the record in its South London roots. The latter takes a more introspective turn, pulling the listener into the tension between hope and fear. Together, they highlight the project’s balance between external commentary and personal reflection.
What makes “It’s All Mad Out Here” truly significant, though, is how original it sounds. In an era of over-produced digital tracks, this analog-driven record feels raw, immediate, and honest. It’s the kind of album that demands to be listened to in full, ideally with headphones on, allowing its layers to unfold.
ColourTelly has crafted a striking, thought-provoking, and sonically unique record. “It’s All Mad Out Here” isn’t just an album—it’s a statement. Boldly analog and deeply relevant, it cements ColourTelly as one of the most original voices to emerge from London’s underground scene.
Connect with COLOURTELLY on
English