Life and Death in a Warehouse – BBC Wales

The first thing to say is that nobody dies. Yet that is hardly a ringing endorsement of the working practices on show in Life and Death in the Warehouse. The BBC Cymru drama lays bare the secret world of online distribution centres. And for anyone used to the quick and easy clicks of internet shopping,Continue reading “Life and Death in a Warehouse – BBC Wales”

Rona Mac – Shades of Ham EP

Rona Mac describes the pink cover of her latest EP ‘Shades of Ham’ as a dichotomy. It is a colour, she says, that is both “fierce, bold and strong as well as delicate, floral and soft”. It seems a particularly fitting description for an artist who finds strength in vulnerability. But it also captures somethingContinue reading “Rona Mac – Shades of Ham EP”

Elles Bailey – Shining in the Half Light

Elles Bailey’s latest album, ‘Shining in the Half Light’, has been forged in the fire of the last few years. It is a record that speaks to the experience and perspective of the independent musician over a particularly turbulent period. There are hints and nods to both Brexit and Covid without ever being explicit aboutContinue reading “Elles Bailey – Shining in the Half Light”

Nia Nicholls – If You Want a Sign

The latest single from Nia Nicholls cements her growing reputation as a British Taylor Swift. It is no exaggeration to say that in both her vocals and subject matter, the Welsh singer-songwriter displays the kind of Swiftian vibes that reverberate back to the American’s earlier canon of hits. ‘If You Want a Sign’ stands onContinue reading “Nia Nicholls – If You Want a Sign”

Clara Bond – Backtalker

Clara Bond may have her roots in British Country but she has grown far beyond its borders. The Exeter-based singer-songwriter has embraced a confident pop sound mixed with RnB and rock sensibilities to make her a truly cross-genre artist. It means her latest EP, ‘Backtalker’, is that wonderful blend of atmospheric soundscape and affective lyrics.Continue reading “Clara Bond – Backtalker”

Tenille Townes – When’s It Gonna Happen

Tenille Townes continues to bear her beautiful soul with her latest single ‘When’s It Gonna Happen’. Honesty has always been the Canadian singer-songwriter’s best policy, and here she reveals how she feels sometimes about being single. Delivered in her own inimitable style, she discloses a part of herself usually hidden behind the “laughing… smiling face”Continue reading “Tenille Townes – When’s It Gonna Happen”

Country Music: 2021 in Review

In this end-of-year review, one of our writers*, Gareth Williams, shares his personal favourites from 2021. Song of the Year – ‘Next Girl’ by Carly Pearce If there is one song that has been going around in my head this year, it is the insanely catchy chorus to ‘Next Girl’, part of Carly Pearce’s CMA-winningContinue reading “Country Music: 2021 in Review”

In My Skin – Series 2

The second series of In My Skin has really got under my skin these past few days. Content simply to watch at first, I’ve found myself itching to write something in response after a final episode in which the emotional pull of this award-winning drama really tugged at the heartstrings. I laughed. I cried. IContinue reading “In My Skin – Series 2”

Eleri Angharad – A Merry Eleri Christmas

Welsh singer-songwriter Eleri Angharad is ending a successful 2021 on a suitably festive note. A Merry Eleri Christmas is a pleasant four-track EP that returns to her folk roots whilst retaining an element of that experimental pop that worked so well on her debut EP, Nightclub Floor. Opening track ‘Homemade Christmas’ certainly evokes the feelContinue reading “Eleri Angharad – A Merry Eleri Christmas”

Country-Pop Music: Chet Atkins and the Nashville Sound

Critics of the ‘Nashville/ Taylor Swift effect’ often argue that it has led to an identity crisis in country music. Debates over the last few years have centred around the idea that the genre has moved so far toward pop that it has somehow lost its soul. Songs such as ‘Meant to Be’ by FloridaContinue reading “Country-Pop Music: Chet Atkins and the Nashville Sound”