Yes indeed, it’s time for another round-up of Welsh music and musicians and what they’ve been up to both in and outside Wales. We’ve got oodles of reviews of fresh cuts, news on album awards and forthcomigng releases. All that plus a report and photo gallery of the recent Welsh takeover of sunny Birkenhead. So make yourself a big cuppa tea, and dive right in.
Welsh Language Album of the Year 2022
Sywel Nyw released one Welsh language alt-pop song monthly over the course of a year, collaborations with the likes of Mark Roberts (Catatonia), Gwenllian Anthony (Adwaith), Casi, the legendary Endaf Emlyn and more. The twelve songs made up an album ‘Deuddeg’ (‘Twelve’) released on label Lwcus T and this week it won the Welsh Language Album of the Year, announced at this year’s Eisteddfod. Huge congratulations to Lewys, who walked us through each song and collaboration on the record, you can read all about it here.
The full list of nominees for the award this year are:
‘Hir Oes i’r Cof’ – Breichiau Hir
‘Wyt Ti’n Meddwl Bod o Wedi Darfod?’ – Ciwb
‘Gwalaxia‘ – Ffrancon
‘Rhydd’ – Kizzy Crawford
‘Amser Mynd Adra’ – Papur Wal
‘Tri’ – Plu
‘Bywyd Llonydd’ – Pys Melyn
‘Deuddeg’ – Sywel Nyw
Check out our best albums for far for 2002, including reviews of Adam Walton and Gintis‘ latest long players here.
A Welsh takeover of Birkenhead courtesy of Adwaith, Ani Glass, and Kim Hon happened at the town’s Future Yard venue last weekend. Adwaith were fresh from a richly deserved slot at Glastonbury ‘Glasto’ Festival, the band specially chosen to play there by IDLES who they supported in Cardiff earlier this year. Second album ‘Bato Mato’ released a few weeks ago, you can read our review of it and interview. The Future Yard show was Kim Hon’s first ever gig outside Wales. They performed ‘Mr English’, a protest against second home ownership in Wales, to a warm and sympathetic reception; the possibility of the audience present having funds to buy a holiday home being quite slim anyways. Pop wonder Ani Glass ended the night with new songs and treats from her award-winning album Mirores which she spoke to us about back in 2020, you can read that here.
More Welsh artists visiting Liverpool and surrounding areas this summer and autumn include Mercury Music Prize nominee Gwenno, plus psychedelic indie outfit Holy Coves and singer songwriter Tom Emlyn (his recent interview can be found here). (Cath Holland)
YNYS announces debut album
GIITTV faves seem intent on creating mystical and magical island-themed records in recent times, The Coral’s Coral Island and Modern Nature‘s Island of Noise being the two springing to mind. And now we have Ynys (‘island’ in English) delivering his album to us.
He has shared two songs from it, ‘Newid’ (Changes) continuing the other-worldly island theme with cinematic drama and ghostly harmonies, and we simply love the sax and spaghetti Western guitar. There’s a new gunslinger in town with the survival of independent spaces on his mind – Newid is concerned with the destruction by developers of cultural resources built by creative communities, a familiar issue in cities across the UK.
The wonderful psych pop ‘Caneuon‘ (‘Songs’) is sweetly nostalgic, emphasising the power of music to tag the best memories, taking us to a safer time.
YNYS’ self-titled album is released via Libertino on 4 November. (Cath Holland)
BLAKTRIX returns
Blaktrix has returned with another inventive and witty jabbing jam, punctured by stabbing beats, samples and strings, and swaggering flow, it’s produced by A.H. Fly who has worked with Lee Scott and was the producer for Universal Soldiers. Blaktrix is joined by Birmingham MC Sonnyjim for a duelling joint that spars about drinking a shoey and bursts with bravado and self confidence.
Sonnyjim has worked with artists and producers like Jehst, Verbz, Confucius MC, has recorded an EP in the US with Buckwild and has also produced with Chris Crack.
With over fifteen years of releases under his belt on acclaimed labels such as Cardiff’s Associated Minds, Dial Up Records, Ruztik Records and B-line Recordings.
‘Shoey‘ is Blaktrix first release of 2022 and follows in the wake of single ‘5 Euro Shades’ which made quite an impact, and Blaktrix last EP ‘Dumb’. (Bill Cummings)
FLEUR DE LYS deliver a summer anthem
Hitting you around the face FORY AR ÔL HEDDIW’ is an epic buffed-up summer pop tune, the sound of Bruce Springsteen and the Kings of Leon being taken for a ride around the outer reaches of Wales with four smiley Welsh lads from Anglesey. The Welsh vowels are stretched to a widescreen singalong chorus that shimmers on a bed of soaring harmonies, big shiny guitars and air-punching crescendos. Catchy, and brilliant. This is an absolute tune. (Bill Cummings)
CHROMA deliver a jolt
Caustic, visceral and ear pummelling Meindia’r Gap is the latest vital track from CHROMA that spasms with menacing intent: a fantastic barrage of fuzz riven guitars and drums, and Katie’s writhing vocals, the sound of falling down a well has never been so unmissable.
‘Llygredd Gweledol‘ is the title of South Wales three-piece CHROMA‘s latest EP. Recorded live by producer Kris Jenkins (Cate Le Bon, SFA, Gruff Rhys), ‘ songs – ‘Llygredd Gweledol, Caru.Cyffuriau, Meindia’r Gap, Weithiau’ – capture the versatile and energetic sound that Chroma have made their own…..a sound that has cemented the band’s reputation as a must see live experience. (Bill Cummings)
L E M F R E C K makes a mark
Emerging Newport artist L E M F R E C K released his new single ‘Play With Silver’ last Friday. Underpinned by chilled beats and atmospheric instrumentation it slithers between reggae tinged pop and hip hop, Lem’s delivery is both soulful and seductive, with deep undercurrents of devotion and sincerity. It’s a mighty fine teaser for his forthcoming EP.
The EP Blood Sweat and Fears is out on 16th September. The EP gives insight into L E M F R E C K’s experiences growing up in Wales. L E M F R E C K has seen lots of great support from BBC Radio 1, and recently recorded a Maida Vale session for BBC Radio Wales as part of St David’s Day. He has also pointed out in a tweet how the buzzing Welsh MOBO scene deserve a bigger platform in Wales and we agree! (Bill Cummings)
Melin Melyn delight with surf laden stroll
Melin Melyn returned earlier this summer with ‘Nefoedd yr Adar’ which translates as ‘Heaven Of The Birds’ a wonderous little gem from a forthcoming second EP entitled ‘Happy Gathering’. With a heavy psych atmosphere of Super Furry Animals with a brush of The Coral, this wistful melodic cut, ventures deep into the woods for a sauntering slice of Welsh language lounge pop laced with delicious surfy slide guitar. It’s wistful, enveloping and rather marvellous. Take a moonlit stroll with Melin Melyn!(Bill Cummings)
Mr Phormula and Eädyth Crawford enliven with empowering anthem
Mr Phormula’s new single ‘Rhyddid’ (Freedom). is an excellent collaborative summer anthem with neo-soul artist Eädyth Crawford. Pairing Eadyth’s powerhouse soul with Phormula’s hype man bars as they explore positivity and wellbeing as well as nature and the passing of time over a vibrant and bountiful piece of music produced by Mr Phormula at Studio Panad.
One final note as part of Kathod’s latest project, 14 creative Welsh women have come together to create a brand new EP. One of 3 singles from the EP, Cofleidio’r Golau, will be released on 22nd of July, 2022 on I KA CHING The artists who contributed to the masterpiece include Malan, Gwen Mairi, Beth Pugh and Manon Dafydd. They were inspired by various artistic practices, including ancient Welsh literature like Tir y Dyneddon, and visual artworks created by Manon herself.(Bill Cummings)
