NewDad - “Ladybird”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 5

Pairs Well With…Sunflower Bean, Pip Blom, Wolf Alice

Dream pop with a bit of a punch, NewDad’s music turns up a melancholy rock foundation on their first couple of singles from upcoming sophomore EP Banshee. Balancing sweet pop/rock hooks with a bit of shoegaze haze, “Ladybird” and most recent single “Say It” are simultaneously catchy and layered. The songs are sharper and more focused than the floating quality of NewDad’s first EP Waves, showing growth by narrowing and grounding an otherwise tripped out appeal. Light and heavy all at once, it’ll be interesting to see how these songs pop live given their infectious undertones. (Kevin McStravick)