NewDad ‘Altar’ Review: A Melancholy Ode to Homesickness and Sacrifice

Explore the heartfelt journey of homesickness and sacrifice in NewDad’s album ‘Altar,’ capturing the bittersweet side of chasing dreams.

A Journey Beyond the Debut: What Comes After ‘Madra’?

If you’ve been following NewDad, you know their debut album Madra—released just 20 months ago—was like a dream come true for the Galway dream-pop trio. It wasn’t just fans who fell for their hazy, heartfelt sound; even legends like Robert Smith of The Cure gave nods of approval. Naturally, after such a promising start, you might expect their sophomore album Altar to burst with upbeat vibes and celebration, right? Well, not exactly.

“The future is NewDad’s for the taking,” many said following their debut. But with Altar, NewDad digs into something deeper—a raw, beautifully melancholy portrait of homesickness and sacrifice.

Homesickness and Hard Choices: The Heart of ‘Altar’

Most of Altar was written before Madra even dropped, yet it feels like a sequel in spirit—a sonic letter from Julie Dawson, the band’s lead singer and guitarist, wrestling with a heavy question: Was leaving Galway for London to chase bigger opportunities worth the cost?

Galway, for Dawson, is the altar—a symbol of what’s been sacrificed for their dreams. The album pulses with the ache of absence, the tension of self-doubt, and the quiet hope found in that longing.

Far from wallowing in despair, NewDad manages to thread optimism through the somber fabric of the record. It’s a testament to their growth as a band—acknowledging pain but refusing to let it define the journey.

A Sonic Landscape of Emotion and Growth

One of the album’s highlights is the atmospheric swell of Mr Cold Embrace. Here, Dawson’s voice floats over a dreamy backdrop, calling back to her roots with haunting lines:
“Comfort me, save me / I’ll just keep praying.”

This hopeful thread carries through to the album's closer, Something’s Broken, where the warmth of human connection shines:
“Close my eyes, keep me distracted / Hold my hand so I can stand it.”

These lines hit especially hard because they don’t shy away from vulnerability. Instead, they embrace it as part of the growth NewDad is undergoing—pushing forward despite the ache.

A Pop Hooks and Grit: A Dynamic Sound Palette

While Altar leans into melancholy themes, musically it showcases NewDad’s evolving versatility. They sprinkle in catchy, pop-infused instrumentals like Entertainer, which bounces along with irresistible hooks—a perfect balance to the album's more intense moments.

And intensity there is! Early in the album, Roobosh delivers a cathartic burst of raw emotion, with Dawson letting out a frustrated yell, followed by Misery’s dark, buzzsaw guitars that perfectly capture a mood of gloom and tension.

The icy, jangly Everything I Wanted sees Dawson reflecting on the sacrifices made:
“I tell myself / That it’s everything I wanted,” she sighs, encapsulating the bittersweet push-pull of ambition and sacrifice that fuels the entire record.

Album Details

• Record label: Fair Youth
• Release date: September 19, 2025

A Final Reflection: What We’re Left With

Altar isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a heartfelt diary of what it means to leave behind comfort for the promise of something bigger, carrying the weight of nostalgia, sacrifice, and hope. It’s the sound of a band learning to wrestle with distance and grow stronger for it.

So, if you’ve ever felt torn between the place you call home and the dreams pulling you elsewhere, Altar will feel like a warm, if bittersweet, hug.

“Forcing yourself to keep going through uncomfortable situations and emotions can only lead to growth.”
— Julie Dawson

FAQ

• What themes does NewDad explore in ‘Altar’?
  Homesickness, sacrifice, personal growth, and the bittersweet feelings that come with chasing dreams away from home.
• How does ‘Altar’ compare to NewDad’s debut album?
  While Madra had a dreamy optimism, Altar dives deeper into melancholic reflection but keeps a thread of hope and growth.
• Which songs highlight the album’s emotional core?
  Mr Cold Embrace, Something’s Broken, Roobosh, and Everything I Wanted stand out for their emotional intensity and lyrical depth.
• What musical styles are present on ‘Altar’?
  The album blends dream-pop textures with pop hooks and moments of raw, gritty rock intensity.
• When was ‘Altar’ released?
  September 19, 2025, on the Fair Youth label.

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