Adam KennyGalway based band NewDad have had an intersting couple of years or so. From their MADRA album releasing to positive reception from both critics and fans, to the album’s art going viral in China , NewDad have been busy. However on the 28th of March, the band announced via Instagram that their bassist, Cara, was parting ways with the band citing new opportunities and directions for the band. From here they should be working with session musicians whilst continuing forward as a trio.
Shortly after the bands roster change, they announced their new EP Safe. Where the band begin their new road forward beginning to work session musicians
Are NewDad Playing it Safe?
The EP has 4 tracks, “Entertainer”, “Safe”, “Puzzle” and “Be Kind”.
“Entertainer” is the EP’s opener, and you’re met with the typical NewDad sound. Layered vocals that teether on whispering, strong bass with guitars coming into carry the melody in the chorus. Whilst Safe is only an EP, the sound is no drastic change from MADRA. Which has some good and bad. The good being it’s a definitive sound, the band play in it well and are able to drop a quality song from it. The bad is that it sounds less like something brand new from the band and more something they got off the floor from MADRA.
The next track, “Safe” changes things up a bit. It has less of the shoegaze, alt rock aesthetic and leans into NewDad’s indie rock aspects. I’d consider it an improvement over “Entertainer”. The song comes across as a new idea with great execution. The lyrics and melody paired with the New Order post-punk like guitars all translate into something unique. It’s a clear sign of progression for the band’s sound.
Confident in their sound
On the second half of the EP we have “Puzzle” and “Be Kind”. Of the two, “Puzzle” follows into the NewDad sound and formula pretty easily. However the melody and the guitars are addictive. The track’s personality really appears from the instrumentals here, and is something I imagine I’ll come back to quite a bit.
With the final track of the EP, “Be Kind”, NewDad ditch the grunge here and make a full blown indie track. It sounds like something you would hear from Leith Ross. The vocals have a slow but constant cadence that slowly swells into chorus. It’s bittersweet. The vocals from Julie Dawson have lost some of their usual venom here, and come across quite a bit more vulnerable than usual. I find with Julie’s vocals, that when she’s recounting the pain and frustration of past experiences, she never seems that bothered by them in the song. There’s this air of “I guess I’ll talk about this” and then hits you some edgy lyrics which I have grown quite fond of. On “Be Kind” however, the listlessness displayed before isn’t here. It’s a refreshing change, there were similar moments to this on MADRA but I feel like “Be Kind” nailed it. The vocals, the strings and the more somber— yet upbeat— air here is something I’d love to see them lean into more.
Verdict
Safe is a pretty okay EP. There are some moment on it that have made me keen for what the band is going to attempt next, but that was the same thing I said about MADRA. EPs are a good chance to either finish up with a sound or show the new one you’re moving onto. With NewDad, they’ve shown they’re keen on moving along and developing some interesting moments and sounds. I don’t know if they’re yet necessarily, but evidently it’s an EP not a full blown LP. They’ve got time, ability and talent on their side here. I’ll probably come back to this EP again soon. For now, if you’re a die hard NewDad fan you’ve probably listened to it already. For everyone else, I’d say give it a shot. It’s 13 minutes and has some fun moments that might catch your ear more than mine.
