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Julia Dawson, a rising singer and new mother, appears to be in a stage of her music career where she writes songs without hesitation, without worrying about sharing her deepest thoughts with a larger audience.
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The line “I wish I hadn’t been so open” in Where I Go certainly rings true to lyrics which are deep, dark and very personal. With themes from shame and self-doubt through bullying, mental-health issues, self-harm and general dysfunction, Dawson’s dreamlike ghostly vocals sweeten the anguish in lines such as Angel’s “You’re sweet, I’m sick / I hurt myself for kicks” or In My Head’s bleakly frank “I’m buried under blankets, descending into madness”.
The first album from the Galway-based band is not a challenging listen. Their combination of guitars and vocals fits in with the recent revival of shoegaze, while also incorporating elements of grunge and pop from Pixies, Breeders, and The Cure/New Order. Despite drawing inspiration from sounds and styles that are 30 years old, NewDad’s youthful energy and polished production give their music a contemporary update. They’re not afraid to turn up the volume on their guitars, but they also showcase a growing pop sensibility in songs like “Angel” and “In My Head,” which have dreamy and catchy choruses reminiscent of Lush. “Sickly Sweet” combines vintage Garbage vibes with lyrics about an addictive romance to create a bubbly pop track, while “Dream of Me” has a similar vibe to Wolf Alice. “Nosebleed” stands out with its expansive soundscapes, showcasing NewDad’s unique musical identity. Lead singer Dawson also shines as an intriguing and emotive new voice in the music scene.
Source: theguardian.com
