On March 1st 2024, Welsh band Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog released their sixth album, Mynd â’r Tŷ am Dro

A well-established band in Wales, their name simply translates as Cowboys of Rhos Botwnnog, referring to an area of the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales where they grew up. However, the name doesn´t really do them justice, since their sound ranges well beyond straight cowboy music. The three brothers and accompanying musicians have clearly worked hard and together they weave a carefully poised sonic backdrop for their original compositions, predominantly written in Welsh. 

Musically the album drifts across the Americana styles; from jangly folk, through laid back floating country, to a little heavy rock. Lyrically the album explores an eclectic range of personal themes, from lost love to the difficulties of processing unpleasant change. I get the feeling that beneath much of their carefully manicured music, there lurk feelings of frustration, despair and anger, but these remain well contained, leaving just a gentle long term melancholy, a feeling well suited to the harmonica and pedal steel. 

The title track, sitting upon a slow bluesy shuffle, tells a wistful tale of the ways in which home changes whilst you are away, and how it feels to return to demolitions and holiday homes. The sleeve notes add a little spark of humour, with the author´s admission to having a "burning passion for holiday homes". In contrast, the sixth track of the album, ‘Trosol’ (crowbar) utilizes distorted guitar to allow out some of the angst of being stuck in a rut.

The majority of the tracks are original compositions and lyrics. However, the penultimate track, ‘Cyrraed Glan’ (Reaching Shore), beautifully sets a poem by Iwan Llwyd to music. There is an intriguing and mystical quality to this one! Also, the final track is a cover of one the bands favourite artists, Bob Delyn a’r Ebillion.

Recorded at Stiwdio Sain, Llandwrog, and self-produced by the band themselves, the production is certainly impressive; crystal clear and allowing space for each musical layer, whilst also packing a punch in the heavier moments. 

The band already have a strong following in Wales and will be heading out on tour in March to promote the album. For Welsh speakers, I’d definitely recommend checking them out and even if you can´t speak Welsh, with their careful musicality, I am sure they will be able to deliver the sentiment of their songs.

www.crhb.net                        crhb.bandcamp.com

Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog - YouTube    Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog | Spotify

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