Irish Star CMAT Extends Long-Term Label Deal With AWAL Following Breakout Year

CMAT has extended her long-term global record deal with longtime partner AWAL, the label has revealed exclusively to Billboard U.K. The Irish country-pop songwriter has released three albums on the Sony-owned firm, having signed with it four years ago.

The 29-year-old artist, born Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, put out her debut album If My Wife New I’d Be Dead in 2022 and followed up with the Ivor Novello and Mercury Prize-nominated Crazymad, For Me. Both records topped the charts in her homeland.

It was the release of third LP Euro-Country earlier this year (Aug. 29) that pushed CMAT’s stature into a new stratosphere entirely, peaking at No. 2 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart as well as reaching the summit on the Irish Albums Chart. The album was supported with show-stealing appearances at major U.K. and Ireland festivals including Glastonbury and All Together Show, alongside a run of stadium tour support slots for Sam Fender.

Barry O’Donoghue, manager of CMAT, said in a statement: “After a whirlwind three albums in just over three years, and a very memorable 2025, we are excited and indeed delighted to extend our arrangement with the top tier team at AWAL.”

Lonny Olinick (AWAL CEO) added: “CMAT is one of those artists that you know matters from the moment you meet her. We have been so fortunate to have a front row seat to her masterful artistry over these last three albums and know the world stage is set for her. Our entire team is beyond excited to continue partnering with CMAT and Barry on these next incredible chapters.”

Euro-Country includes standout tracks such as “The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station” and “Take A Sexy Picture Of Me.” The latter spawned a TikTok dance trend dubbed the “Woke Macarena” – thanks to simple choreography – which then translated into real-world success, with the song marking CMAT’s first placement on the Official U.K. Singles Chart (peaking at No. 42).

The album was greeted with near-unanimous five-star reviews from the British press, and also landed CMAT her second consecutive Mercury Prize nomination. Matt Riley (U.K. president, AWAL) noted: “CMAT is a unique and world class artist and it’s been immensely rewarding for everyone at AWAL to be a part of the emergence of a superstar.”

CMAT is currently on a sold-out headline tour across the U.K. and Ireland, which will conclude on Dec. 5 with a date at Dublin’s 13,000-capacity 3Arena. Next summer, she will top the bill at London’s Lido Festival, with support from the likes of Father John Misty and Sharon Van Etten.

AWAL’s roster also includes Laufey, Djo, Little Simz and Jungle. In September, the full-service recorded music company announced the launch of a new division, AWAL Middle East, which will be headquartered in Dubai in partnership with Sony Middle East.