7/10

Over the last few years, Irish outfit NewDad have been one of the more talked about names on the rise. With a sound that borrows heavily from the woozy shoegaze aesthetic of the 90s, redesigned for a modern ear, their catalogue to date has been filled with highly-praised outings, building an incredible buzz behind the fast-rising four-piece. And with their appreciation reaching its zenith right now, they return with their eagerly-awaited debut album 'Madra', a record that looks to cement their vibrant legacy to date.

Much like what the recently shared previews gave an inkling to, 'Madra' continues more of that rich and dynamic direction they have been establishing since their earliest beginnings. Brimming with broad and alluring soundscapes that ebb and flow throughout its eleven-track runtime, their first full-length maintains the strong and driven ambition they have been making lately, resulting in a brilliantly cohesive and succinct listen from start to finish.

These last few years have certainly been a great time for NewDad to develop and fine-tune their sound, something we get to hear throughout 'Madra'. But it also leads towards a more progressive angle as well, something we can see them building upon in the years ahead too.