Following the release of NewDad's acclaimed debut album Madra last Friday, we're now entering the final push to help the current Hot Press cover stars secure a highly coveted spot in the Top 10 of the Official Irish Albums Chart.

The most effective way to help the Galway band score a strong debut is by downloading the album from iTunes here – but be sure to do so before midnight tonight, to make sure it counts!

Madra looks set to make a splash on the other side of the Irish Sea too, with an appearance at No.30 on the UK's midweek albums chart.

On last Friday's Official Irish Albums Chart, Noah Kahan continued his reign at No.1 with Stick Season. He's followed by Green Day's Saviors at No.2, Taylor Swift's 1989 (Taylor's Version) at No.3, The Weeknd's The Highlights at No.4, and Fleetwood Mac's 50 Years: Don't Stop at No.5.

Following two EPs – 2021’s Waves and 2022’s Banshee, which have both clocked up millions of streams – Madra is NewDad’s first release since signing to Atlantic Records, a move that confirms long-held suspicions (including a spot on Hot Press’s ‘Hot For 2021’ list) about the band's potential for a proper international breakthrough.

NewDad by Meghan McKenna

The four-piece, who are now based in London, worked on Madra at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales, where Queen famously recorded 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.

“That was the best two weeks of my life,” NewDad's singer/guitarist Julie Dawson said of Rockfield, as part of the band's cover story in the current issue of Hot Press. “There were these two ladies, Jan and Sue, who made homemade dinners every night, and dropped them up to us. They were so sweet. So we’d have wine and shepherd’s pie, and then go back into the studio.”

The interview also saw them discuss their decision – as a London-based band with a growing international fanbase – to use an Irish word for their album title.

“There was some debate amongst us, and the people around us, if it was a good idea,” bassist Cara Joshi revealed. “On one side there was, ‘Is the rest of the world going to understand it?’ But there was also, ‘Are Irish people going to think it’s a bit weird that we’re just calling it Dog?’”

“We were toying with the idea of it being White Ribbons, but it didn’t feel like it belonged to us,” Julie added. “That could be anyone’s album.”

Help NewDad debut in the Top 10 on the Official Irish Albums Chart by downloading Madra here.

The 'Hot For 2024' issue of Hot Press – featuring three special covers, starring NewDad, SPRINTS and sign crushes motorist – is out now: