NEWDAD RELEASE ‘SAFE’ EP ON MAY 2
LISTEN HERE
LIVE SHOW AT THE DOME ON MAY 14
The beauty and bite of NewDad’s debut album ‘Madra’ made the Galway band one of the biggest new hopes around. Bringing a youthful zest to storied influences such as Slowdive, The Cure and Cocteau Twins, their amalgamation of classic ‘90s aesthetics attracted a diverse and still-growing audience. Teenagers threw themselves around in the mosh pit with care-free abandon at their headline show at London’s Koko, Glastonbury, Radio 1’s Big Weekend, and even at places as far flung as Tokyo and Shanghai in front of 1600 fans.
And NewDad’s future is now just a step away as they release their new EP ‘Safe’. Their core shoegaze/dream-pop sound elevated with a swaggering new self-confidence, a tight, masterly control of hooks, and broader touch points such as Pavement and Sonic Youth. In short: their ethereal elements feel more alluring than ever; the visceral moments are more selective and dynamic but hit just as hard; and their songs are simply a leap in sophistication beyond ‘Madra’.
As summarised by Fiachra, “It just needed to be NewDad but better. Everything had to get elevated,” while guitarist Sean O’Dowd states that the songs are “Big and bold, but with a light sense and kind of airier.” Julie expands, noting a balance between finding those nuanced details that reward repeat listens while keeping their visceral raw power. “There’s so much intricacy but they’re just so much fun to play.”
‘Safe’ marks a bold step forward for the band as they move beyond their long-standing collaboration with Chris W Ryan to work with 26-year-old prodigy Sam Breathwick, aka Shrink — one of the UK’s most talked-about young producers. In the short term, Shrink is also joining the live lineup, bringing his studio magic to the stage on lead guitar and synths, as NewDad expand their ambitious sound and reach toward a growing international audience.
Following the success of Madra—an album whose songs were written over an impressive eight-year span but recorded in just a fortnight—their latest ‘Safe’ EP project showcases a much swifter process. Recorded in January at the renowned Decoy Studios, this new record captures the same intensity and focus within a similarly condensed time frame.
Its lead single, ‘Entertainer’, encapsulates their growth. Julie’s vocal glides like a conversation with an imaginary friend, while every touch – her slacker rock cadence, distorted stabs of guitars, foreboding synth flourishes and drums which flow from spacious to savage – embeds itself in your mind and refuses to let go.
“The song is about entertaining other people’s idea of who you should be,” explains Julie. “I’m only learning now that I just need to shut out the noise and do what makes me feel comfortable.”
In fact, the entire EP rotates around similar introspective conflicts: being a people pleaser but standing up for yourself; realising that success brings a fresh wave of unexpected challenges, adapting to their new lives in an often overwhelming London. But musically it shows that NewDad should have no fears as whatever they can imagine they can thrillingly bring to life.
It’s a trait present as the title track erupts into a fierce denouement. It’s there as Fiachra’s personal favourite, ‘Puzzle’, lurches into a seasick grunge waltz with lyrics inspired by Norman Mailer’s ‘The Executioner’s Song’. And it’s especially there with the affecting string arrangement on ‘Be Kind’ – something that Sean affirms that they would’ve have previously recreated using synths.
NewDad’s transition from ‘Madra’ to ‘Safe’ felt symbolically complete when they attended the Choice Music Awards after being nominated for Album of the Year.
Talking of which, album number two is firmly in development but they’re keeping their cards close to their chest regarding its finer details… for now. “The album will be another step up,” offers Julie, “It’s a lot more unapologetic and a lot more self assured”
‘Safe’ EP Track listing:( LISTEN HERE)
Entertainer
Safe
Puzzle
Be Kind
