ALBUM REVIEW: Teigr – Y Dail

Welsh artist Y DAIL has just put out his debut album Teigr. Y DAIL, which is Welsh for “The Leaves”, is the musical project of Huw Griffiths, who was taught both English and Welsh growing up and still speaks both equally as heard on this record which switches between the two languages as Griffiths finds that both are “so rich and can do things the other can’t do.”

This, and pairing it with his love of music, which came from being raised in a family full of artists and exposure to different genres, has resulted in a record that reflects on the theme of growing up and coming of age. Teigr itself appears to be heavily inspired by pop music of the 60s and 70s, as heard in the opening track The Piper Pulled Down The Sky, an upbeat pop song that has that vintage feel to it. It is heavily reminiscent of THE BEATLES and THE BEACH BOYS in a way that just leaves you feeling happy with memories and yearning for the summer, but even then Y DAIL likes to branch out and try different styles when it comes to genres and sounds.

As the record goes on, you can enjoy the indie pop of a track like O’n i’n Meddwl Bod Ti’n Mynd i Fod Yn Wahanol; elements of funk and jazz heard in songs like You Don’t Have To Be Blue Forever and Whizz Kids; and even a fusion of grunge and pop as heard on Clancy which draws some comparison to WEEZER’s Buddy Holly. For Y DAIL, the focus appears to be on creating songs that leave you with a sense of safety and calm, almost as a reminder of that youthful naivety in perhaps being clueless about what’s to come, yet for the most part being hopeful and excited. It’s a hope that remains realistic in that there’s still fear and uncertainty, yet regardless it’s a time that some of us might miss from time to time.

To close things off we have Tarth y Bore, a slow, moody alternative track that nicely captures that emotions with the use of a flute that one could easily compare to ABBA’s Fernando. Ultimately Teigr is a lovely record that leaves you with feelings of happiness and serenity, even if it also masks those feelings of worry. We can’t help but feel excited to hear more from Y DAIL.

Rating: 7/10

Teigr is out now via self-release.

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