ALBUM REVIEW – NewDad – ”ALTAR“
- HARRY K
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
WORDS HARRY K
NewDad – Altar
Release Date: 19th September 2025
Label: Atlantic
“Altar finds NewDad turning homesickness and ambition into their most urgent, confident work yet.”
On their second album, Altar, Galway trio NewDad steps out from the dream-pop haze of their debut and delivers something sharper, bolder, and emotionally heavier. Written over two years following their move from Ireland to London, the record wrestles with distance, sacrifice, and ambition, while finding the band more confident than ever.
Homesickness sits at the core. On Pretty, Julie Dawson describes Ireland as a kind of sanctuary, her vocals carrying both affection and ache, whilst Everything I Wanted flips the perspective, exploring the anticlimax of success and the reality that achieving a goal doesn’t guarantee fulfilment . Then there’s Roobosh—a burst of fury that channels frustration into catharsis, showing a rawer side of the band
Musically, Altar stretches beyond Madra’s shoegaze roots. The guitars cut brighter, drums hit harder, and Dawson’s voice feels more present, no longer just floating in reverb but anchoring the songs with conviction. Tracks like Mr Cold Embrace and Something’s Broken lean into atmosphere, while Roobosh and Everything I Wanted bring urgency and bite. It’s a record of contrasts: lush textures balanced by moments of raw intensity.
Altar is a striking step forward: reflective, and exhilarating. NewDad hasn’t just grown—they’ve hit us with their most assured work yet. The ambition and scope are undeniable.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
TRACK LISTING
Other Side
Heavyweight
Pretty
Roobosh
Misery
Sinking Kind of Feeling
Puzzle
Entertainer
Everything I Wanted
Mr Cold Embrace
Vertigo
Something's Broken
FOLLOW NEWDAD
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