Ahead of her upcoming record Le Kov, which is set to be released this Friday, Welsh singer Gwenno has released a new single, the epic and majestic “Hi A Skoellyas Liv A Dhagrow.” Written entirely in Cornish, the song translates to “She Shed A Flood Of Tears” and channels the sounds of legendary Cornish/Welsh electronic artist Aphex Twin along with folk influences and retro 70’s pop. The title is a nod to Aphex Twin, as his seminal 2001 album Drukqs had many song titles written in Cornish. As usual, Gwenno’s vocals take center stage here, with her powerful vocal line soaring over vintage synthesizers and gently strummed acoustic guitar.
An interesting facet of the song is the way in which Gwenno alternates singing styles: from a hushed whisper to a soaring overtone. The song manages to recall vintage sounds without ever sounding like a blatant rip-off, retaining its modern edge and flair.
Le Kov was written as a tribute to the city of Cornwall and the Cornish language, as Gwenno is one of the few fluent Cornish speakers left on the planet. If “Hi A Skoellyas Liv A Dhagrow” is any indication, Le Kov promises to be one of the most interesting sounding records coming out this year. This will mark her second solo release since the singer ventured out on her own after her acclaimed work in the indie-pop girl group The Pipettes.
You can listen to “Hi A Skoellyas Liv A Dhagrow” in the player below.
Leave a Comment