Eschewing the “formulaic, monotonous album process”, Lewys Wyn’s pioneering project continues in latest antidote ‘Rhwng Dau’ – which features the pristine exuberance of sister, Casi Wyn. Although inherently a solo venture, Sywel Nyw is a collective concept shared with a diverse range of composers who embrace their “unique relationship with Welsh culture”. From sombre, apocalyptic pop of contagious catalogue opener ‘Crio Tu Mewn’ (ft. Mark Roberts) to the hypnotic tranquility of his second instalment, singer/songwriter Wyn believes he’s curated a truly “special body of work”.
Sywel Nyw fuses his soft, soothing sound of dreamy drum loops and pensive synth tones with twelve different artists in 2021 – each of whom possess a unique “attitude towards music and songwriting”. Consumed by the inimitable alt-pop beats and his bank of melancholic escapisms, Wyn shares that it had always been an ambition of his to collaborate with a wide spectrum of musicians as he finds himself absorbed by the “contrasting creative approaches of other performers”. Although selective in what he wishes to reveal, Sywel Nyw projects an anthemic, dystopian-flavoured soundtrack for a time of reunification and reconnection.
Inspired originally by his teenage obsession with indie-pop outfit Creision Hud and their vision of releasing a single every month in 2011, Wyn’s own ambitious notion took shape as the world stood still. Challenging his own perception of the difficulty to “stand out” in today’s music business, Wyn emphasizes: “I think the timing of the lockdown just gave me a chance to think about different ideas and the thought of collaborating was very appealing. In a way it’s a great way for both parties to build and attract interest from different audiences”. Fixated on the visualization of constructing an album that’s beyond the ordinary, Cardiff-based Wyn reflects on the project’s catalyst: “I released a song with my friend Gwyn Rosser from the band Los Blancos last year and it turned out to be very popular. I think the general contrast of styles and combination of genres really grasped listeners and the feedback was very positive”. Referring to ‘Pob Nos’ of his band’s sophomore album, Wyn added: “I really enjoyed writing the song with Gwyn and I suppose it really motivated me to write and collaborate with other artists”. Overlooking his modest claim that he’s far from deserving of the ‘professional producer’ tag just yet, it’s hard not to admire Wyn’s dynamic evolution as an artist.
Attracted to the idea of formulating, composing and producing – rather than his native frontman role of Yr Eira, Wyn ponders: “After releasing ‘Map Meddwl’ with Yr Eira last year I felt that lyrically, I’d expressed everything that was on my mind and therefore had nothing else to write about – but I was still full of musical ideas”. A seemingly perfect marriage for the proposed concept, one could be forgiven for thinking that Sywel Nyw is not merely a side-project to partner the profile of Yr Eira, but rather a rival. Approaching each of the singles’ compositional structure in isolation, Wyn explains that allowing his counterparts such freedom, further facilitates his pledge of “never to stand still in the music business”.
To some, introducing bare, polyethylene beats to an eclectic mix of composers – in the pursuit of creating a conspicuously craftred collection – might bring with it a degree of apprehension, but Wyn is buoyed by its profound challenge. His affiliation with the current conglomeration of songs is in its infancy of course, but the concept is not a newly discovered relationship of his. Wyn certifies that he’s especially fond of collaborative albums such as ‘Plastic Beach’ and ‘Dark Night of the Soul’ (Gorillaz / Danger Mouse) and insists that both critically-acclaimed albums played an integral part in his own vision to “showcase some of the best music talents around whilst collaborating with some of my personal musical icons”. Briefly dwelling on his aspirations to rely solely on songwriting as his livelihood, the Bangor-born musician welcomes the suggestion that this project might be the “first step” in that direction.
Released via his brother’s independent record label, Lwcus T, Sywel Nyw attains an authentic amalgamation of siblings as sister, Casi dominates the poetic, hip-hop fuelled ode, ‘Rhwng Dau’. Encouraged by the control of initiating a collaborative project – or series as he presents it, Wyn reveals that music was a “focal point” in their upbringing, confessing that “on the rare occasions where the three of us are actually under the same roof together, we’re either arguing or bonding over music”. Perhaps unsurprising to hear the latter, Wyn, the youngest of the three, concedes that despite writing, composing and producing music as duo’s on several different projects – including the heartfelt video of ‘Crio Tu Mewn’ (directed by Griff Lynch) – “weirdly, we’ve never collaborated creatively as a trio but who knows, someday we might sit down and actually write something together”. A gentle nod perhaps that his discography will continue to expand far beyond the year 2021.
Turning our attention to ‘Rhwng Dau’, the second of twelve singles, Wyn captures a rich, honest image for us to mull over: “I’ve been writing a lot of material with my sister over the last year. We’ve worked on different artistic projects and we get along really well in the studio. Casi and I have very different musical styles and approaches to songwriting but it just seems to click when we’re together”. Boasting several EP’s and a wealth of artistic accolades herself, Wyn doesn’t hide his admiration for the melodramatic, spiritual delivery of his sister: “Casi has a truly magical voice and her own music is very chilling”. Wyn continued by summarising his overriding goal for the project ahead – “people can easily become bored with you and your music, especially in this day and age, so this is a deliberate attempt to work against an increasingly monotonous and repetitive process of releasing music”.
Singer/songwriter Casi, previously of Chess Club Records, explains how ‘Rhwng Dau’ came to fruition: “My brother asked me if I’d like to feature as part of his new collaborative project and I was like ‘aye, why not’. We’ve never written together before but this felt very easy and cool”. Sywel Nyw synonyms include subtle, waxed, serene electronica – and although contrasting to her previous work – the dreamy wooziness of such production wasn’t restrictive for Casi to further grow the single: “It’s a different kind of production to what I’m used to, more care free, lighter. It really works and our voices sound good together”.
Self-produced in Cardiff and mixed by London-based producer Tom Loffman; Lewys Wyn demonstrates the very essence of his self-mythologised concept of “bringing artists together” as all twelve singles’ artwork are visually embossed by Ellie Yvonne Owen and Celt Iwan. Accentuating both our anticipation and excitement for the year ahead, Wyn summarizes his collection: “It will be a wide collection of musical and artistic ideas in a generally dry musical patch”. Derived from social isolation, Sywel Nyw generates a plethora of electronic beats which unites a fanciful galaxy of Welsh music giants.
Owain Elidir Williams