Mae ’na Olau

Siân James, Gwyneth Glyn, Meinir Gwilym and Gwenan Gibbard first sang together five years ago, and after recording five songs during lockdown, they regrouped to commit a further eight new and traditional songs to tape, drawing from Wales’ folk traditions, their pure, glacial harmonies seemingly free of all bodily cares, and supported by an elegant musical accompaniment of harp, piano, accordion, and touches of bass from Wyn Hughes and Dafydd Hughes on drums and percussion.

The title-track is the story of a female hero saving her country with her songs leading the way, while the drums and bassline that plumb the depths of ‘Dawns y Delyn’ are the setting for a celebration of the harp that is very much part of this album’s sound signature. Exploring Wales’ folk tradition, they bring us ‘Philomela’, an ancient and distinctive song full of references to the Greek gods and the beauty of birdsong with a minimal piano backing and the album’s most delicate harmonies making it a standout track. Shanty ‘Teg Oedd yr Awel’ glorifies the folkloric and historic 19th-century Welsh mariner Huw Puw, while ‘Siwgwr Gwyn’ is perhaps the loveliest track that’s a celebration of the beauty of the voice.