Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog - Mynd â’r tŷ am dro (2024) Hi-Res

It’s rare to hear Welsh language records outside of Wales, which I think is something of a shame. Perhaps some of the most famous examples belong to Cerys Matthews and Catatonia, who were more than happy to sing in Welsh. Even their album International Velvet, which featured their smash hit Mulder & Scully, included a title track sung mostly in Welsh.

Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog are a discovery of mine who are attempting to reddress the balance, even if it’s slightly. They’ve just released their sixth album Mynd â’r tŷ am dro (in English ‘taking the house for a walk’) that includes nine tracks that honour the place in which they grew up.

It’s not just the language that does this, Mynd â’r tŷ am dro is full of walks down memory lane, including album opener Clawdd Eithin and its title track. They make a beautifully folksy pair, with plucked strings, steady rhythms and soulful vocals, and contrast each other nicely in terms of their emotional range.

Elsewhere songwriter Iwan dwells on themes of love (Defodau, Magl), happy memories (Halltu’r Dydd) and being stuck (Adenydd, Trosol). We also get a Iwan Llwyd poem, Cyrraedd Glan, set to music, and a cover of Bob Delyn a’r Ebillion’s Blodau Haearn Blodau Glo.

Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog have a sound that’s a beautiful take on modern folk rock. Putting aside the novelty of the language, Mynd â’r tŷ am dro is a wonderfully put-together album. The vocals are captivating, the compositions rich and varied, and the whole collection is brimming with heart and soul. It’s simply a joy to listen to.