Welsh musician Cerys Hafana has unveiled her latest album, released under the dynamic Glitterbeat label from Hamburg. This work explores deep themes of humility adn gentleness, as suggested by its evocative title. The opening track, “Helynt Ryfeddol” (A grand Ordeal), tells a captivating folk story about an elderly man enchanted by the most beautiful song he has ever heard—sung by a rooster. He listens with rapt attention until the melody fades away. Upon returning home, he finds that his house has changed and is now occupied by unfamiliar faces. Seven tracks later, the title piece reveals that this rooster was actually an angel and that the man had been absent for 350 years without anyone noticing.
“Angel,” which marks Hafana’s third release in just over a year, highlights her remarkable talent as both a mesmerizing vocalist and an inventive musician. Her previous project was “Difrisg,” a collection of piano instrumentals launched under Immediate Karma in June; meanwhile, she is set to release her upcoming EP “The bitter,” early next year—a blend of haunting sounds reminiscent of Broadcast infused with Welsh interpretations of sultry Americana.
This new album reintroduces piano melodies while showcasing Hafana’s expertise on her signature instrument—the Welsh triple harp—while also drawing inspiration from Breton musical traditions such as folk dance rhythms combined with call-and-response techniques known as kan ha diskan.
Throughout “Angel,” Hafana’s innovative style remains consistently refreshing. In tracks like “drexelius” and “An Dro” (A Turn), she creatively uses Blu-Tack to mute the resonant strings of her triple harp; concurrently on “O’r Coed” (Of the Woods), her piano harmonizes playfully with Amie Huckstep’s saxophone in a manner reminiscent of rabbits playing together in meadows. Ursula Harrison’s rich double bass complements Hafana’s longing for spring renewal in “Carol Mynyddog” (Mountain Carol). The album beautifully captures delicate emotions through pieces like “Ffarwel i f’Ieuenctid” (Farewell to My Youth) and “Atsain” (Echo), reflecting profoundly on life cycles while celebrating music’s timeless enchantment.
Fresh Releases This Month
Junior Brother‘s recent offering titled The dwell,released via Strap Originals,immerses listeners into intricate narratives steeped in Irish folklore surrounding fairy forts—mystical sites where one can escape modern life’s chaos. The album features contrasting flutes alongside growling drones infused with punk energy interspersed with polka rhythms inspired by Ireland’s National Folklore Collection; Junior Brother’s vocal delivery may evoke comparisons to Richard Dawson.
Additionally,Jon Wilks’ album Unnecessary Alley (Grizzly Folk) showcases ten original compositions enriched with folk-rock influences akin to Pentangle (“Montagu Whaler”), harmonies reminiscent of Mamas & Papas (“Would You Be The One?”), along with psych-pop elements found within tracks like (“Mine is The Sun”). Lastly,Ian Nyquist ‘s intriguing project Gilded (flood) stands out this month for its experimental soundscapes echoing ancient traditions through bodhran-like modeling instruments while together evoking futuristic vibes.