Islais a Genir

In these English-dominated isles, almost any use of the Welsh language becomes a political act. VRï are a trio on a mission to elevate the story of their nation's cultural history – its language, song and music. This second studio album, entitled Islais a Genir (A Sung Whisper), is more of a primal roar of Welshness. The trio are fiddler Aneirin Jones, cellist Jordan Price Williams and Patrick Rimes – a fiddler and multi-instrumentalist best known as one of Welsh folk popsters, Calan. Their gutsy fiddle work and vocal harmonies rise above deep drones, sometimes recalling the call-and-response style of African music, sometimes the collective surge of Welsh chapel choirs.

The link to the chapel is central. VRï are self-proclaimed ‘audio archaeologists,’ exposing a broken Welsh cultural history in which the English state and Welsh chapel are intertwined. From Henry VIII's suppression of the Welsh language to the Methodist suppression of Welsh folk music, they see much to redress. Joined by guest vocalist Beth Celyn, this collection of songs swell and dip with an undulating rhythm of Welsh song, so reminiscent of the landscape from which it is sprung.