Cardiff-based singer/songwriter Alun Battrick is about to release the final two songs from his fine second EP, “Pethau Gwyllt” (Wild Things), on the Tondu Tunes label.
The lyrically cryptic title track, which angrily denounces a self-satisfied, inauthentic and arrogant establishment (perhaps specifically the Welsh media), is driven by the insistent rhythm of his acoustic guitar.
“Yfa Lan”(Drink Up) is another acoustic protest song, “drink up and drink down / you’ll lose everything in the end / drink deep until you forget this truth / we are all in trouble now”. This advice may seem particularly relevant to many of us in the coming dark times.
Complementing this pair of protest songs, earlier this summer, Battrick released a pair of love songs. “Gwenllian”, an upbeat, sunny love song replete with fresh optimism, is set in a lush horn-driven arrangement, fusing his rootsy guitar and vocal sound with cool 40s swing.
The bilingual “Fan Hyn” (Here) is a quieter number, almost otherworldly in its beauty, perhaps sometimes verging on sweetness. This impressive song deals with causing pain to the person you love, and the melancholy emptiness of loss. “So give me my penance and make is severe / Punish at leisure, but don’t leave me here”.
Alun’s trademark black overcoat, worn whatever the ambient temperature, is clearly referencing Johnny Cash, The Man in Black. However, his music is perhaps more in the tradition of legendary singer/songwriter Meic Stevens. Just like that great Welsh Icon, he makes highly melodic music in a range of styles, and their vocal styles are also similar. Mr Battrick will do well if he continues to compose songs as strong as these, and bear comparison to such exalted company. And full marks to his seemingly ubiquitous metereological metaphors too.
“Pethau Gwyllt” and “Yfa Lan” will be available to download from the 12th of November 2010 from iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, Spotify, Napster, Thumbplay and Deezer. (“Gwenllian” and “Fan Hyn” are already available.)
