In a period of governmental and cultural transition, former Pipettes front-woman, Gwenno Saunders, releases a political concept album inspired by an obscure 1970s Welsh language sci-fi novel, subtly disguised as a blissful kraut-pop record. Written by Gwenno and produced by Rhys Edwards, 'Y DYDD OLAF' ('The Last Day') is out on Heavenly Recordings.
Taking its cue - and title - from Owain Owain’s 1976 novel about a dystopian future where the robots have taken over and are busily turning the human race into clones through the use of medication, 'Y DYDD OLAF' blends big themes, great tunes, and a real sense of revolution to produce a powerful, politically-charged concept album. The album, which is sung entirely in Welsh, apart from one song in Cornish, is a political and feminist record, and a cultural document and celebration of what is unique about life in modern day Britain.
First with Peski Records, where a limited edition pressing of the album sold out in weeks, and now signed to Heavenly, she has found the perfect home for her brand of left-field electropop. And with the parallel world of 1980s underground Welsh-medium music by artists including Malcolm Neon, Llwybr Llaethog, Datblygu and Ectogram, not forgetting the German Krautrock movement of the 1970s, and early electronic music pioneers Daphne Oram and Delia Derbyshire inspiring her music, outlook and aspirations, 'Y DYDD OLAF' feels at once retro, contemporary and futuristic.
Includes unlimited streaming of Y Dydd Olaf
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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ships out within 7 days
Purchasable with gift card
£10.99GBP
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Released on July 7th - A repress of Gwenno's debut album 'Y Dydd Olaf' on crystal clear vinyl.
Following a hugely successful 2022 which included a Mercury Prize nomination for her acclaimed album Tresor and a sold-out show at London’s Village Underground, Gwenno continues her busy schedule. This Summer sees her playing numerous festivals including Glastonbury, Blue Dot and Latitude as well as a number of unique solo shows. Next month Gwenno will headline London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall as part of the Southbank Centre’s annual Poetry International festival, presenting an immersive evening of music, language, poetry and film. Then in September Gwenno will close out the Summer with a special performance in the wondrous surroundings of Cornwall’s Minack Theatre.
In other exciting news, Gwenno’s celebrated Welsh-language debut album Y Dydd Olaf (meaning “The Last Day”) is being re-pressed on crystal clear vinyl due to it selling out on wax some time ago now. The new repress will be available 7th July. Y Dydd Olaf was initially released by Peski Records in October 2014 before being re-released worldwide in 2015 by Heavenly Recordings. The album was an attempt by Gwenno to combine her political views with sounds she loves and was inspired in part by a dystopian science fiction book of the same name by Owain Owain which was released in 1976.
Includes unlimited streaming of Y Dydd Olaf
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
...more
Well, does it live up to the hype? It's okay, not as good as 'Loops' or the 'Fenella' stuff; i doubt i'll be listening to it in full very often.
Her mojo is waneing in my 'umble opinion. vykr
Emotional Eternal feels like a natural evolution of the kind of music featured on Bon Voyage, which was already fantastic. I was excited for this album, and it absolutely lived up to my hype and expectations. Another wonderful release. MarikoRawralton