New Day

Released in 1971 on Decca Records, New Day is a bridge between Thin Lizzy's self-titled debut and their follow-up, Shades of a Blue Orphanage. At this stage, the band was a trio consisting of Phil Lynott, Eric Bell, and Brian Downey. The EP is historically significant for showcasing the band's early 'Celtic Rock' identity, which leaned heavily on folk influences and Lynott's narrative lyricism rather than the twin-guitar hard rock attack they pioneered later with Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson. The track 'Dublin' stands as one of Lynott's most enduring love letters to his hometown, featuring a prominent, melodic bassline and a sprawling, atmospheric structure. Critical reception at the time was modest, but the EP has since been reclaimed by collectors as a vital document of the band's transition from the Dublin beat scene to the London rock circuit. It highlights Eric Bell's bluesy, often psychedelic guitar work, which provided a more fluid, improvisational counterpoint to Lynott's structured storytelling than the more rigid metal structures of the mid-70s.