Album Review – Hockey Dad

It’s been four years since Hockey Dad released their album Brain candy, but it’s not like the band has been completely silent for four years. They did release Ts to cross back in 2022. High time to hear what the band has been working hard on To rebuild.

But first, here’s a quick introduction to Hockey Dad, if you haven’t come across them before. Hockey Dad consists of Zach Stephenson on guitar and vocals and Billy Flemming on drums, hailing from Windang, New South Wales, Australia. Their latest and fourth album, Repeat rebuilding, suggests the cycle a band goes through when they release an album and go on tour. It was released through Farmer & The Owl.

“Base Camp” opens the album with an upbeat, groovy song with a catchy hook. You sing along during the chorus. While ‘Still Have Room’ feels like an early love song from the Arctic Monkeys. The emotional content is not ignored to make it enjoyable to listen to. “Safety Pin” follows a similar path to the first, a beautiful love song, as Stephenson’s sweet vocals shine with the uplifting and light chorus.

“Wreck & Ruin” is much more energetic than the previous songs, and it is a warm welcome. Stephenson’s pace and clear confidence carry the song, making it stand out on an already excellent and varied album. ‘Seething’ causes an ugly heartbreak. The album’s closer, ‘Dancing On The Other Hand’, is a beautiful piano ballad that stands out among the many songs that are heavy on guitar riffs and Flemming’s brilliant drumming. The song is not short but powerful and closes this album cycle for the band.

I think To rebuild is one of the most beautiful indie albums released so far in 2024. The varied sound that Hockey Dad plays with throughout the album and the bangers they release as singles. It certainly highlights that it pays to have some time to focus on the direction you want to take as a band. The rest of the album proves exactly how playing with different ideas can pay off in the long run. Please don’t sleep on the album; you will regret it.

Buy the album here.