Rock n punk n roll tour de force Alffa have a new single on the lead up to new album O’r Lludw (From Ashes) due late November.
‘Dance Again’ follows previous tasters ‘Pwythau’ and ‘Breathe Free’ and finds the North Wales duo poised and ready for what’s to come.
Building on the album’s overarching theme of self-acceptance and overcoming adversity, ‘Dance Again’ sees Alffa cutting away any excess to expose an honest, brutal vulnerability. Sion Eifion Land‘s pounding percussion and Dion Wyn Jones’ aggressive, rhythmic guitar and guttural vocals join forces to create a blistering backdrop of raw emotion and message.
The song is full on and hides nothing, but brings with hope – ‘Let me dance again,’ Dion repeats – and a sense of we can get through this running right through.
Alffa defy the genre’s often bleak narrative, transforming despair into empowerment, solidifying their position as a rising force in the scene.
‘By choosing to embrace the challenges symbolised by the rain, the act of dancing becomes a powerful release, alleviating the emotional strain and renewing one’s spirit,’ say the pair. ‘This song stands out as a pivotal piece on the album, encapsulating the overarching theme of finding strength and solace in difficult times.‘
Alffa famously hit the headlines when ‘Gwenwyn’ became the first Welsh language song to amass over 1 millions Spotify streams, that and the success of debut album Rhyddid o’r Cysgodion Gwenwynig (Freedom from the Poisonous Shadows) lunged Alffa into a maelstrom of personal challenges and setbacks, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
But more recent gigs – including at FOCUS Wales – indicated Alffa have if anything become an even more substantial proposition than the earlier days. On top of that, they hooked up with renowned producer Gethin Pearson (Badly Drawn Boy, Charli XCX, Bloc Party, whenyoung) to create the new album, which is bilingual performed in both Welsh and English.
The record is one of hope not just for their audience, but for themselves as well.
O’r Lludw / From Ashes isn’t just an album title – it’s the band’s battle cry, a testament to their rise from the embers of adversity. Ready to transcend linguistic boundaries, the band are poised to break free from the Welsh-language scene and claim their place on the international stage.
O’r Lludw / From Ashes is released on November 29, via Recordiau Côsh Records.
