At this most dismal time of year, Bill Ryder-Jones' splendid new album Iechyd Da is, if not quite a ray of sunshine, at very least temporary respite from the rain. Buzz review here.
The record's positivity is deliberate, after the downbeat vibes of its predecessors West Kirby County Primary and Yawn. In a candid interview with Patrick Clarke for the Quietus, Ryder-Jones spoke about the turbulent personal circumstances behind its creation (excessive drinking and substance abuse, agoraphobia exacerbated by lockdown, relationship breakdown), and how he now thankfully seems to be leaving those troubled times behind.
He's notably dismissive about Yawn, and outright scathing about West Kirby County Primary. Much as artists claiming to love everything they've ever done seems fake, I'm always a bit uncomfortable when they savage their own past work - especially if it's something I've very much enjoyed (as is the case with Yawn in particular). But in Ryder-Jones' mind, at least, Iechyd Da very much stands apart, as an album he can truly love and be proud of - and I'd suggest that its status as his best record to date seems assured.
Appropriately enough given the Welsh-language title of the album, he's a regular visitor to this part of the world. After a set at Swn last year and what I gather was a spellbinding solo in-store show at Spillers on Saturday, he's back in Cardiff in March, at Clwb. I won't be missing out for a third time.
No comments:
Post a Comment