NewDad - “Nightmares”

SXSW 2024 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 6

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

Irish dream pop/rock artists NewDad’s debut full-length is Madra, a collection of minimal, airy pop with spurts of alt-rock density. Pretty and mysterious, NewDad’s sound is noticeably delicate on Madra. Melodies seem to bubble on both their ambient-leaning tracks and new-wave rock numbers. There is more focus on these songs than the band’s earlier EPs, not quite mainstream rock, but a little more heft flowing into songs tracks like “Angel” and “Nightmares”. The light/dark balance that Madra is giving off makes NewDad a little harder to peg, and that’s a good thing as they broaden their sound and invite more ears along the band’s path. (Kevin McStravick)

2022 Review: 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.