Born in the green and pleasant depths of the Llyn Peninsula, Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog comprise three brothers – and accompanying musicians – that come together to create harmonious sounds that are so typical of an age of Welsh language music, defined by bands like Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci and Datblygu. Its melodies so often soothing, its harsher moments startling, ‘Mynd A’r Tŷ Am Dro’ (English translation: ‘Taking The House For A Walk’) is a joyous journey through love, heartbreak, and harking back to roots.
It begins with ‘Clawdd Eithin’ (‘Gorse Bush’), a folk-more-than-rock ballad about missing home. Bob Dylan-esque (if he was from Amlwch), the lyrics flow through the hooks and, despite knowing very little Welsh, it evokes a sense of pride in belonging, a true spirit within me.
Frontman Iwan Thomas often berates the amount of time it takes for him to write an album, so much so that ‘Magl’ (‘Snare’) tells the tale of returning home after his wife gave birth to their son, six years ago. If that’s the reward for six years of work, then it can be marked as time very well spent. Thomas pours everything into the track, his vocal fragility weaning over a beautiful North Walian flow, and spangling guitar sounds creating an otherworldly feel to a song to mark the most special of moments.
Without doubt, ‘Mynd A’r Tŷ Am Dro’ marks the current pinnacle of Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog’s work, this being the fifth studio record in their catalogue, it weaves a vivid picture of a band at its melodious best.
Will Madden.
crhb.bandcamp.com
