New Songs On Sunday

 

Last week saw the release of Gruff Rhys' latest album Dim Probs. The album shows once again that Rhys is consistently pursuing his own unique path. The man sings entirely in Welsh, which means that those who do not speak the language can concentrate fully on the music and immerse themselves in it. 

Most of the songs exude a relaxed atmosphere, as if they had been recorded in a living room with a few friends. But on closer listening, you notice so many facets, such as piano, a few synths and even the occasional trumpet. An album that grows on me with every listen.

Inside Outside

 

Last week Kate Stables and her four piece band This Is The Kit returned with her new album Careful Of Your Keepers and offered an album that will accompany me during the summer. It is handmade music somewhere between folk, indie-pop and alternative. In the center is Stables expressive voice and the folky sound is added with flugelhorn and some sythns. Gruff Rhys produced this album that impressed me with it's simply beauty and well arranged songs. 

Whyte Horses

For some times I like to listen to retro sounds produced under today's possibilities. For this Dom Thomas and his Whyte Horses collective is always very good for. They are masters of mixing vintage sounds derived from swinging French ye-ye, poppy psychedelia, urban city-soul, a bit of garage rock and hooky kitchen sink pop. All in all Hard Times is one of these albums that is timeless and playable at many times and situations - and the guest vocalists like Tracyanne Campbell, Gruff Rhys and John Grant made this album very much above the average.

This Year's Records 12+13/18

Another double feature in this countdown. Not only for the reason that this artist released their new albums almost at the same time it is a reason for this feature. It is more that I follow both artists over many years and they never made any bad records. And this happened once again. Both albums are full of great and well arranged songs. It is classic songwriting with superb arrangements. Timeless and beautiful. Nothing more to say, because the songs speak for themself.

Gruff Rhys - Frontier Man

Gruff Rhys - Oh Dear

Gruff Rhys - Selfies In The Sunset

When Rhys on Babelsberg sometimes sounds like a reborn Lee Hazlewood, Gaz Coombes was inspired by Bowie and Lennon. I really don't know if I prefer his faster songs or the ballads. It really depends on the mood I am in. Anyway, Coombes is able to write and arrange songs far over the average. 

Gaz Coombes - Worlds Strongest Man

Gaz Coombes - Walk The Walk

Gaz Coombes - Vanishing Act

Babelsberg

Studio Babelsberg in Berlin/Potsdam is the oldest big studio film studio of the world and the biggest film studio of Europe. It is also the title of the latest album by Gruff Rhys, the Welsh multi talented musician, composer, producer, filmmaker and author. But the title has nothing to do with film studio in Potsdam it is a synonym for building the Tower of Babel. He delighted me during the last years with timeless albums with timeless music. American Interior from 2014 was played often when I was at home. So I was excited to listen to his new record and I wasn't disappointed. He wrote great songs again and recorded them with the 72-piece BBC National Orchestra of Wales. The more I listen to the songs I think he moves more and more to a nowadays edition of Lee Hazlewood and he can't deny the influences of Ray Davis and The Kinks. For me, Babelsberg is one of the nicest records released this year.

Not Only Another Welsh Singer

One of the most interesting bands in the 1990s were for sure Super Furry Animals. There were times when I listened a lot to them. And I still love to listen to their records. These days I checked out about some news of the band and it seems that they will play together again. SFA were always a band with a very special sound but I liked the voice of their singer, Gruff Rhys. You can find a lot of acoustic clips from him in the internet but I like these ones much on the one hand because of his appearance just with his guitar and voice and on the other hand he's also trying to do something different in the electronic corner. Hope I can see this Welsh guy once live.