By Peter Dysart
‘My favourite habit,’ as I’m calling them now, have returned with new music and an interesting new project. It was about a month ago that I received word from the band that they had a new project in the works, and that something would be arriving soon. The Saturday before last I woke up to a fine treat of a new single, ‘Yn Rhydiau’r Afon.’
It’s the beginning of a new project from the band, called ‘Aruthrol,’ the Welsh word for ‘formidable’ — which is fitting in that this project will be a series of monthly very limited release singles that highlight new material from Welsh artists. I’ve known for some time that Ritzy and Rhydian wanted to do a Welsh music record, but this will be even better as their own version of a singles club. For the band’s part, all of this music will be recorded from their tiny Red Brick studio in North Wales. I reckon the A-sides will be The Joy Formidable, but the B-sides of each of these releases will feature singles by Welsh music makers that they admire. Imagine that, and it’s all on vinyl. It must be my birthday.
I’ve been listening to modern music for far too long now to allow cheap imitations and distractions to lure me away from music that shines with a greater kind of truth. Even though good music can come from many sources and forms, the best music comes from artists who truly believe in what they are producing. Through all the challenges of bringing that music to market, the artists who refuse to give up control of their final product are the ones I’ll always want to listen to first, last and in between. And where some artists prefer to traipse down the sensational route of hurling insults at one another, the better ones are busy on positive efforts to connect with other artists and elevate the creative process. I’d like to think that the later artists are the ones that exhibit the greatest levels of creativity throughout the entire music process, from conception to marketing to performance. Enter the new single from Llawenydd Aruthrol.
‘Yn Rhydiau’r Afon’ (or In the Fords of the River) is such beautiful music, taking us on a ride down a complicated stream. It starts with a bit of a mediaeval rock flourish before from the outset before settling into slow classical guitar current that gently rides through the first verse. Ritzy’s introspective and plaintive tones do little to hide her personal lament over a close relationship that has changed course. Very much like real life, the current of this song picks up speed midstream to face a new truth. And before it ends, we’ve shot through the rapids before finding more gentle waters again.
How refreshing it is to hear music like this — music with lyrics sung in such a beautiful tongue, with emotions and relationships laid bare by artists without any pretense or façade. Whilst I’ve now read the lyrics in English, this is a song is best heard in Welsh with your eyes closed. It’s the kind of music that has you lifting the stylus up to pause after its through.
The B-side of this release will feature the band Colorama’s ‘Forget Tomorrow.’ It’s been a few years since I started listening to BBC Cymru’s wonderful Bethan Elfyn and Adam Walton, and to all the great talent coming out of Wales. Now, with this new singles club, there will be even more to explore. Another formidable idea — bring it on.
A final side note: if you’re in the UK and have been itching for Joy gig, you’ll have the perfect opportunity for two back-to-back shows, the first at Gwyl Gardd Goll, Anglesey on Saturday, 26th July, and then The Globe in Cardiff for Sŵn on Sunday, 27th July 2014. I can’t imagine a more perfect summer weekend.
