Ynys share new Northern Soul inspired single ‘Gyda Ni (With Us)’ via Libertino Records
New album Dosbarth Nos (Night Class) is due out on July 12th via Libertino Records
This Summer Ynys, the brainchild of Race Horses / Radio Luxembourg’s Dylan Hughes, is set to release their new album Dosbarth Nos (Night Class) via Libertino Records. The album, which is out on July 12th, follows the release of their 2023 Welsh Music Prize shortlisted debut. Today, the group has shared new single ‘Gyda Ni’ (With Us). The single explores the pitfalls of social media and self-improvement culture, seamlessly blending Motown and Northern Soul influences into a captivating Summer earworm.
Of the single, Hughes says:
“I’ve always loved Motown and Northern Soul compilations. ‘Gyda Ni’ tries to capture my favourite bits of about 100 songs – like a song I always wanted to hear. I’ve got a slight fear that one of these days I’ll find an old 7” single in a record shop and realise that I’ve completely ripped it off – but until that day, I’m going to enjoy playing this song.”
Recorded live over a period of four days at the picturesque Mwnci Studios in West Wales, the album showcases Ynys' musical evolution - embracing a more energetic and adventurous sound palette with its extraordinary dynamic arrangements, and capturing the essence of the band's live performances.
Dosbarth Nos embodies the culmination of Ynys' creative journey, marking a significant milestone in the project's evolution. Hughes' meticulous approach to songwriting, coupled with the band's collaborative energy, has resulted in an album brimming with intention and newfound confidence.
“When I started writing the songs that would form the debut record, I wasn’t sure I was writing an album and I didn’t think too much about playing the songs live,” says Dylan. “When you’re sitting at the piano it’s easy to let your hands fall onto familiar notes, into their comfort zone, and you end up with a lot of quieter mid-tempo songs,” he continues. “This time, I knew from the outset that I was writing an album and I wanted to try and capture the energy of our live set.”
Most of the songs on Dosbarth Nos, which are sung in a mixture of Welsh and English, began as short piano experiments played on Hughes’ hallway piano in his Aberystwyth home. “I can’t help myself from playing a chord or something whenever I pass it,” he explains. Most of the tracks were written in a fairly short period of time. “I’d booked in the recording session for the album a few months in advance, and I could see that circled out week on the fridge calendar staring back at me every day, which was good motivation.”
“I guess it’s an old rock cliché – going to the Welsh countryside, getting away from the city to record an album,” says Dylan. Having navigated the recording of the first album in shorter sessions over several weekends, sometimes weeks apart, Hughes was keen to take a different approach with this record. Booking five days at a studio, gathering everyone in the same room, and completing the core of the record in one session. “Having played together as a live band for a couple of years now, it felt natural to approach recording this way. We would record two or three songs a day then walk to the village pub, have a pint and put some records on the jukebox – blissful!”
Dosbarth Nos sounds like an album that was written with intention and a new found sense of confidence. “When I recorded my first track as ‘Ynys’ I double tracked the vocals with my friend Mali because hearing my voice on record was so unfamiliar and uncomfortable,” says Dylan. “The second record is still harmony heavy but there’s space for the lead vocals to feature.”
“I think that on contemporary records people sometimes have a fear of making music that sounds catchy,” he explains. For fans of idiosyncratic pop acts like Sparks, Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci and ELO, as well as more contemporary artists like Sam Evian and Father John Misty, Dosbarth Nos is brimming with big choruses and joyously catchy melodies that will live in your brain long after the record has finished.
'Gyda Ni' Lyrics - English Translation
Here’s a list to share,
Of the lesson’s I’ve learnt.
Caption the songs,
And work you yourself.
Can I grab a second of your time
There are people who know,
That can tell us the truth,
If I’m truly happy or in love with you,
How to see the world, how to feel OK,
How to get answers from a full moon night,
Are you with us?
Changing direction, Soundtrack in sections,
City life, Relationship hacks,
Can I grab a second of your time.
Just one more second,
Just a second of your time.
There are people who know and can tell us the truth,
If I’m truly happy or in love with you,
How to see the world, how to feel OK,
How to get the answers from a full moon night,
Are you with us?
Tracklist
Darnau Coll
Dosbarth Nos
Shindig
Welcome Back To The Island
Hi Sy'n Canu
Dim Ond Ni
Wild Waves
Ynys
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