NewDad’s second album Altar delivers supreme reign of Irish rock’s godfathers of gloom

The arrival of autumn, a traditionally Irish season characterized by mist, drizzle, and cozy indoor settings, sets the stage for the captivating second album by the alternative band NewDad from Galway. Ethereal and dreamy, their latest album, Altar, serves as a haunting ode to dark evenings and gray mornings, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in its melancholic melodies while rain drums against the windows.

Filled with pulsating basslines, swirling guitar riffs, and ethereal vocals, Altar provides a beautifully somber listening experience. Similar to their debut album, Madra, released in January 2024, the standout element is Julie Dawson’s soulful voice, a vessel for songs that emerge from the depths of despair yet leave room for rays of sunshine to pierce through.

While it’s tempting to draw comparisons to influences from the 1980s and 1990s, NewDad’s Altar pays homage to a wide range of late 20th-century alternative icons, including the likes of Cocteau Twins, Sisters of Mercy, The Cure, and Pixies. However, the band injects something uniquely Irish into their music. Dawson’s wistful vocals exude a poignant longing that transports listeners, reminiscent of Sinéad O’Connor fronting The Breeders. The driving basslines propel the music forward with determination, juxtaposed against Dawson’s soul-crushing vocals, creating a captivating contrast of guitar-driven energy and profound melancholy.

Despite not reveling in unnecessary theatrics or openly displaying their troubles, NewDad has faced their fair share of challenges since the release of Madra. Following the completion of Altar, the band’s bassist, Cara Joshi, departed, and their drummer, Fiachra Parslow, opted out of future live performances to prioritize his mental well-being. Dawson, too, has encountered difficulties, expressing her longing for home in Galway and her struggles with the chaos of London in a recent interview.

The sentiments expressed by Dawson are relatable to many Irish individuals who have embarked on journeys abroad only to be met with a sense of nostalgia and a yearning for their homeland. These feelings are elegantly articulated through Altar’s opening track, “Other Side,” with Dawson’s heartfelt lyrics capturing a sense of longing and displacement.

NewDad’s music exudes a sense of nostalgia and contemplation that sets them apart from other Irish artists of their generation, who often channel themes of anger and anxiety. Altar is not merely a melancholic record; at its peak moments, it echoes the energy of a bustling indie dance floor, with tracks like “Heavyweight,” “Pretty,” and “Roobosh” exuding a mix of Sonic Youth-style riffs, jangling post-punk guitar sounds, and infectious Pixies-like energy.

The album culminates in the thunderous “Something’s Broken,” a brooding masterpiece that combines Taylor Swift-esque power ballad dynamics with old-school indie rock aesthetics. It’s a poignant, autumnal anthem that solidifies NewDad’s position as the godfathers of gloomy alt-pop.

In a musical landscape filled with varying emotions and sounds, NewDad’s Altar stands out as a testament to the band’s ability to craft emotionally resonant and musically captivating compositions that explore themes of longing, introspection, and finding solace in the midst of chaos.