NewDad at Their Most Open: Altar Is a Journey of Identity and Place

Excitement is an understatement for NewDad’s new album, Altar, and watching this Galway trio evolve from an underground act into one of Ireland’s most compelling bands has been thrilling. Every release feels like a new chapter, and this one? They’ve poured their heart and soul into it.

For those who haven’t followed closely, NewDad is Julie Dawson, Fiachra Parslow, and Seán O’Dowd. Altar, arriving in just nine days, promises a versatile, deeply personal record. The album explores growing up, the sacrifices Julie has made as a woman in the music industry, the meaning of home, and the struggle to find your place in the world. Every track feels deliberate and layered, a reflection of a band maturing without losing its raw edge.

Some singles already hint at the album’s scope.

PRETTY

Pretty feels like coming home. NewDad don’t just write about Galway, they make it feel like a person you could fall in love with. Julie’s words capture the city’s energy and charm, from ‘his menacing gaze has me hypnotised’ to ‘you look nice like a dream.’ Galway feels alluring and powerful, and listening to Pretty, you can’t help but admire how effortlessly NewDad turns the city into a living, breathing character.

ROOBOSH

Roobosh flips the mood entirely, with a punchy, urgent energy that feels alive and unpredictable. It’s chaotic, loud, and thrilling, daring both the band and their listeners to embrace the unexpected. Angry, messy, and exhilarating, it hits in the best way.

EVERYTHING I WANTED

Everything I Wanted brings a quiet intensity, slowing the pace to reveal a vulnerable, introspective side. Julie’s vocals are raw and intimate, singing ‘Left my mind in a dark place.’ The song resonates long after it ends, exploring themes of self-destructive behaviour and declining mental health. It’s a reminder that NewDad’s music isn’t just to be heard, it’s to be felt.

Beyond the songs themselves, Altar is an exploration of identity and belonging. Galway’s presence shapes the album and the band’s perspective throughout. Julie’s experiences as a woman in the industry add another layer, threading vulnerability and honesty throughout. Yet the album never feels heavy-handed, it’s full of playful, energetic, and beautifully chaotic moments.

Altar promises to be an album that’s all over the place in the best way, vibrant, emotional, and utterly alive. It’s about growth, identity, and the people, places, and experiences that shape us. NewDad are here at their most open.

Whether you’ve followed them from the start or are discovering them for the first time, Altar is impossible to ignore. When it drops in nine days, get ready to fall in love with their new album.

Written by Sophie Lee.