Croeso! Welcome to monthly new Welsh music round-up. Here, we take a look at the best new releases from emerging acts from Wales. In another genre-hopping instalment, we’re taking the chance to appraise a host of excellent recent releases by new(ish) Welsh acts, from a drum ‘n’ bass comeback album to psych rock whimsy to mysterious, narrative-driven black metal. Wales is a land of many faces, a multitude of differing creatives, each of whom embrace the wonderful proverb “eang yw’r byd i bawb“; the world is wide to everyone.

As always, we’ll start with a quick rundown of notable events and happenings across the country in the previous month. A couple of festivals to highlight, given that the sun is out and the season is starting. The annual took place in Cardiff venue Tramshed, headlined by and supported by a who’s-who of big names on the Cardiff scene. A new festival also took place down in Tenby, named, which attracted an eclectic array of Welsh acts to the seaside resort. The inaugural also took place across two days at the end of March, bringing a much-deserved multi-venue festival to the storied city, the same weekend as The took place in West Wales. In terms of festival announcements, Newport’s launched their early bird tickets, while Swansea’s revealed their full lineup for next month’s event, as did the increasingly-promient Carmarthen promoters for their Cwrw-based two-day birthday party at the start of June.

Along with the following albums and EPs, March also saw the release of excellent new tracks from the likes of, , , , , , , , , , , and many, many others.

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Cardiff-born (though their members are now spread across Wales and the UK) psych rock absurdists are as Welsh as they come. Their brand of sunny, pathos-laden psych/country rock beautifully channels the nation’s alternative music history, from back to the 70s folk rock explosion.

Debut full-length ‘Mill On The Hill’ is bursting with colourful songs that might initially seem whimsical and silly, but frequently boast emotional heft and contemporary resonance. See ‘Vitamin D’; a lap steel-led country rock delight whose lyrics tell the poignant story of a computer addict, as an example. Beyond checking out their brilliant debut, make sure to catch a live show, which is full of theatrics, costumes, props and comedy.

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Former head honcho of Sony-signed metal/grime act has had a tricky few years, following the demise of his beloved band. He’s talked openly and wisely about his struggles, including via the razor-sharp bars featured throughout his new solo album ‘Jungli$t Vybz’.

An exhilarating drum ‘n’ bass joyride, it’s a credit to the force of ’s personality that his vocals still feel like the dominant force on a record of such eclectic and smartly-arranged DnB, credited to ,&. Tracks like album highlight ‘Saviour’ unpick it’s creators psyche and fascinating history, adding up to an album that’s as psychologically intriguing as it is viscerally thrilling.

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A total sugar-rush of an EP, ’s three-song ‘Foreverever’ will have you feeling lovesick, nostalgic, drunk and starry-eyed all at the same time. The solo act (real name: Lisa Martin) is a recipient of the Welsh Music Prize’s Triskell Award for best new act and her second EP ‘Foreverever’ sees her further refine her immaculate fusion of modern alt pop and upbeat riot grrrl/grunge.

Heavy opener ‘Hangxiety’ oozes brash charisma, the title track courses with giddy emotion, while ‘Deep Dive’ is a well-arrangeed ballad given lift-off by Welsh producer , who’s worked with the likes of and , both of whom you can hear in this EP. As these vibrant, soulful three tracks further prove, has all it takes to become a major name in contemporary Welsh and British music.

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This is the thirteenth instalment of this column and the prolific (and/or bands he’s a member of) has probably featured in close to half of them. The busy musician, who’s also the guitarist of Swansea’s Rainyday Rainbow and keyboardist in Cardiff’s Papa Jupe’s T.C., has just put out a great album comprised of spoken word and poetry, overlaid with sound collages, guitar noodles and other assorted experiments.

Opening track ‘Everything’s For Sale (Belgium 2017)’ sums up the mood of these eclectic 11 tracks; lovely layers of guitar overlaid by Tom’s charismatic street poetry. No track is without charm, a vibe that sums up the output of its relentless creator.

Also shout out the recent Palestine fundraiser gig that Tom played in Llandaf Cathedral, alongside Gruff Rhys and Charlotte Church, from which the above video is taken.

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Ysbrydnos – ‘Siant Derwyddol’

This is now the second column in a row to include a release by a brilliant Welsh black metal act. In contrast to last month’s grand Ofnus album, we have this more lo-fi but no less spectacular new EP from Ysbrydnos (translation: ‘Spirit Night’).

As further evidence of the point made in March’s column about Wales being perfectly suited to the black metal aesthetic, check out Ysbrydnos’ description of the narrative that ‘Siant Derwyddol’ follows: “Crickhowell, 1783, a peaceful village, starving to death. They agree to send their Holy Men, The Derwydd up the mountain to seek the hidden knowledge of the gods within a forbidden cave…”

A ridiculously-awesome story that captures the mysterious, earthy and thrilling tone of these four engrossing tracks.

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Words: Tom Morgan