259. MADRA by NewDad

"Next great guitar band" - that line from a recent review of this Irish band's 2024 full length debut is what caught my eye, as did the mention of shoegaze. Those of you who have kept up with my posts know that those two things - guitars and shoegaze - will immediately get my attention, more so when they are used to describe the same band. As such, this record has been my jam for the past few days.

The thing about shoegaze and, specifically this album, is that the lyrics can be pretty melancholy but the often shimmering and, dare I say, jangly guitars provides a contrast that reels me right in. Maybe it will do the same for you.

The band has been compared to everyone from The Cure (previously covered here and here) to Wolf Alice (covered here and here) to Garbage and others. I even hear some Concrete Blonde in the first track I'd like you to check out, 'Sickly Sweet.' I would then continue with the following three songs that appear in sequence, 'Change My Mind,' 'In My Head' and 'Nosebleed.' End with 'White Ribbons' - it's so pretty.

NB "Madra" is Irish for "dog"