‘MADRA’ – NewDad – A Review:

NewDad’s debut album ‘MADRA’ was recommended to me by: @lewqsthings

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Although like nothing I usually listen to; NewDad’s shoegazey dreampop, (and oxymoronically upbeat yet melancholic) sound is intoxicatingly enthralling.

An album which I listened to back to front in an almost trance like state.

With a sound synonymous with their 21st century contemporaries Wolf Alice and Pale Waves, there is no denying the clear influence of 80’s alternative icons Pixies and The Cure.

Each song on the album is carefully constructed: blurring the lines between post-punk, pop and alternative indie; floating through the margins of several genres, acting as the audiological backdrop for Julie Dawson’s ghostly ethereal vocals. NewDad combine the new wave sound of a bygone era with the modern; ultimately carving out their own unique space in the music world.

Undoubtedly my favourite song of the album is ‘Sickly Sweet’ for its effortless coalescence of punk-esque guitar riffs, diaphanous vocals and satisfying bass. I feel, for most, this song will symbolise the band and their identity: becoming the song which most assosiate with this album.

Admittedly, it is hard to pick a second as each song is equally beautiful and equally unskippable.

Don’t be fooled however by the dreamy soundscape which is crafted. To neglect the “deep, dark and very personal” lyrics would be to neglect the very meaningful message behind them.

While an easy, passive listen, the album covers the not so easy themes of mental health, self harm and inner-conflict to cope in the post-modern world. With each listen, you cant help but tangibly relate in some way to the abstractly painful emotions conveyed in almost each and every line. I cant help but recognise the symbolic imagery of the album art: a cracked porcelain doll whose visage is damaged beyond repair; a metaphor for the emotions we carry with us deep down. A warning perhaps, that such emotions may eventually manifest themselves and take a physical toll on us, draining and damaging us forever if left unresolved. I find the total destruction of the mouth (our main vehicle for communication) significantly apt as we often feel too uncomfortable to voice our emotions until it is too late and the damage is already done.

All said and done, this band is certainly one which I will be keeping a close eye on. I confidently recommend ‘MADRA’ to any lover of somebody seeking something a little bit different in 2024, yet wants to find solace, comfort even, in a sound which is hauntingly familiar to the 80s whilst capturing the timeless message of struggle…