NewDad - Banshee EP Review

NewDad have made a spectacular return with their ethereal and enchanting new EP “Banshee”. They have gifted us five tracks of luscious, melodic indie dream-pop perfection that highlights yet again that this is a band that is every bit as good as the hype that proceeds them.

For anyone who has spent the last 18 months under a rock, NewDad are comprised of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Julie Dawson, bassist Áindle O’Beirn, lead guitarist Sean O’Dowd and drummer Fiachra Parslow. They all grew up in Galway, on the West coast of Ireland and formed in Music class as Julie did not want to perform alone. They describe Galway as something of a contradiction, on the one hand, it’s a small and picturesque city with a close-knit community where forming a band and spending all your time making music is a great way to pass the time. On the other hand, this smallness brings its own issues; what do you do when you have played the two local venues enough times to know every inch of the stage and dodgy toilet set-up? “It can be hard to break out because it’s such a comfortable place that people don’t want to leave,” reasons Julie. “If you grow up here you have to get out eventually.” Well, the time has certainly come for NewDad to spread their wings and break free.

They have already headlined a sell-out UK tour, done a live session for Steve Lamacq, and have over seven million plays of their tracks on Spotify. “Banshee” is the groups' second EP, a follow-up to last year’s smash “Waves” and the band have garnered much support and gained international fans along the way.

As with their previous release, despite dealing with some sombre themes the melodies and tempos are lively and effervescent, verifying you can joyfully dance to lyrically melancholic songs, or just blast them on your headphones, enjoy them and drift away.

Julie’s vocal delivery is as mesmerising and evocative as ever, and the hard work the Galway quartet have put into creating new music during lockdown whilst house sharing has really paid off. These songs are expertly woven together and exude what has already become their distinct trademark sound, albeit even more confident and proficient than before. The songs have more depth and are richer than previous offerings.

NewDad have re-visited Belfast to work again with sound engineer Chris Ryan who has done another outstanding job of showcasing the very best of their considerable talent.  The EP has further kudos having been mixed by legendary producer John Congleton. It has to be noted that they certainly mean business.

The first track is “Say It” a brilliantly captivating and up-tempo number, which was released as the second single on 11th January, and previewed on Steve Lamacq’s 6Music show. With its exceptionally catchy chorus that will snare anyone susceptible to an earworm, it contains punchy lyrics such as “You don't say much to my face/you just sit tying your laces like you're fucking famous/And you don't want to leave a trace/But you get mad if someone takes your place/No you don't like me at all, you just want to see me fall for you/And I don't want to,” A bittersweet tale deals with the heartache of unrequited love interest, Dawson is becoming an expert at writing deeply personal lyrics that are at the same time ambiguous enough to make them ridiculously relatable.

The title track “Banshee” is more downbeat, more contemplative and forlorn, it describes someone who is clearly taking things to the extremes instead of dealing with reality. Poignant lyrics like “I don’t want to know about the horrors in your head at night/ but I hear them through the walls” really draw the listener into the story that is unfolding, and give them something to really think about.

And then we have “Spring.” Well….

“I’ve been checking out, and sleeping in, wasting days, where do I begin” laments Julie. As this accurately sums up the behaviour of the majority of the population over the last two years, here we see again her uncanny knack of tapping into our psyche being on top form.  Anyone who is going to any of their upcoming live shows will be in for a treat when they play this, it has a gargantuan sound to it, and is begging to be played in a large venue. It oscillates and builds magnificently, the guitars can be only described as mammoth, and in short, it is absolutely gorgeous.

“Thinking Too Much” sees the band experiment more instrumentally. Here Julie examines anxiety and the pressures of modern life the use of the synthesiser lends a really striking layer, by adding a frenzied note to the song which although subtle, really brings to life. “Is this real, or am I having a nightmare/I need some rest from my thoughts/and they just won’t budge/Maybe I’m just thinking too much” she exhales.

The final track “Ladybird” was the first single released from “Banshee” in October 2021, and Julie cites the inspiration as being the Greta Gerwig movie of the same name. The film documents the strained relationship between a mother and her high school senior daughter, the track heavily references feelings of pent up frustration and angst and again references many themes we dealt with at the height of lockdown, ”You’re way too far away/ and I’m starting to forget your face” muses Dawson. And it is so direct, and heartrending, but at the same time so very sweet. 

There is a reason we here at Still Listening were eagerly anticipating this release, NewDad have an incredible gift of making the most bittersweet scenarios seem warm and tender, without a trace of irony or being turned into something twee. It is a rare gift they possess indeed, and this EP is near perfection.

“Banshee” is released on 9th February via Fair Youth Records, their merchandise and music is available via their Bandcamp

If you are interested in finding out what they are currently listening to, their ever-evolving Spotify playlists can be located here:

Julie Dawson: SPOTIFY

Áindle O’Beirn: SPOTIFY

Sean O’Dowd: SPOTIFY

Fiachra Parslow: SPOTIFY

Be warned- although tickets for live shows are still available in limited quantities online, NewDad’s previous UK tour sold out quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment! They are playing dates in the US, UK and Ireland and the tour itinerary is here.