heddlu Returns With New Single “Paid Becso Am Dim”
Out Now via Zawn Records
It really is hard to believe that almost 3 years has passed since the phenomenal debut album from heddlu. Back in the summer of 2022, heddlu released “Cantref’ via Zawn Records and the release truly was awe-inspiring. Now Rhodri Daniel, the face behind heddlu is back with the sublime new single “Paid Becso Am Dim”. The first single is taken from heddlu‘s sophomore album which will be released in due course.
Rhodri is the Ceredigion native was a founding member of renowned Welsh band Estrons who had a major impact on the industry having gained rave reviews from the likes of NME, Vice, DIY and Clash to BBC Radio, Radio X, Ultimate Guitar, The Guardian and Independent.
After finishing the band in 2019, Rhodri became aware that his hearing was severely damaged. Years of touring the live circuit had taken their toll, Rhodri ultimately being diagnosed with hearing loss, tinnitus and severe sensitivity to noise. The effects were so acute, Rhodri was unable to play live music, leading to him composing his critically acclaimed debut album (Cantref, 2022) in his head whilst completing the entirety of the Wales Coastal Path (900 miles). His family and namely his sister, were great sources of comfort and hope during this difficult period. Serendipity led Rhodri back to music, and heddlu was born. Meaning ‘Police’ in Welsh, from the words ‘peace-force’, heddlu‘s music has been true to its’ name, offering a force of peace to the songwriter.
Rhodri spent the next few years writing and experimenting with new sounds and instruments as his hearing slowly recovered. Whilst writing and recording his forthcoming second album, life found a way of both disrupting and influencing the creative process, leading to multiple re-writes and an entire album being erased. Eventually, despite the interruptions, heddlu’s second album, ‘Tramor’ – was completed.
Meaning ‘Overseas’ in Welsh, ‘Tramor’ is series of intimate and volatile songs, detailing years of loss, estrangement, trauma and hope.
“Paid Becso Am Dim”, is the first single taken from heddlu’s second album ‘Tramor’, meaning ‘Don’t worry about a thing’ in Welsh. The record was written for Rhodri’s sister who over the past few years, has been fiercely fighting breast cancer. Singing messages of optimism and hope, the song is Rhodri’s small attempt to show the same comfort and support his sister had shown him during his own struggles with hearing damage a few years ago. His sister is now in remission!
Back in 2022 it was Rhodri’s release that captivated us due to the importance of that vital release and the concept behind it, the remarkable journey following hearing loss, something that connected us to the collection and to the emotion behind the works. Now the inspiritation to the new material is again another emotionally charged theme, but this spurs the artist and challenges Rhodri to take on those feelings and the fragility and put that emotional exhaustion into an outlet that can elevate listeners. Another release which can give a deep connection to so many.
“Paid Becso Am Dim” commences with this sweeping formation and bright percussive beat, the jaunty keys and experimental shifts and textures collide with the vocals and this wave of elevation channels the voyage and draws the listener. The new track captures the warmth and volatility that heddlu laces within their work but brings this hazy and nostalgic influence that shines through the innovative textures. Unafraid to tackle complexities within the foundations of the score, heddlu brings this immense colour to the tonal choices of this ensemble.
This artist, as we’ve stated before, is an innovative pioneer. The new album is due in early summer of this year and we can already envisage this is going to be a moving and essential record.
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