16/05/2025
Artist: Mered Morris
Album: 'Ydy Hi’n Amser?'
Label: Madryn
OUT NOW!
The last time I reviewed an album by Mered Morris was his 2022 album 'Rhywun yn Rhywle' which I called “an immensely enjoyable album from start to finish and… one I've been playing over and over since I received it”.
Two and a half years on and it still get’s regular plays in the car, alongside Mered’s other equally brilliant albums - ‘Syrthio’n Ôl’ (2020), ‘Galw Fi’n Ôl’ (2021), and ‘Lonydd Llydaw’ (2023). With a release schedule of one album a year since 2020, Mered has amassed an impressive catalogue of solo material that has always been to an exceptionally high standard, in terms of songwriting, performance and production.
So coming to review his brand new album 'Ydy Hi'n Amser?' (released in October 2024), expectations are high.
With this new album though Mered has not only met any expectations, he's exceeded them considerably.
The album opens with the rousing ‘I Walia Well’, a track that Mered says was “inspired by the positive feeling of being part of the ‘Yes Cymru’ parade in Bangor”, with the lyrics being a battle cry of hope for a better Wales. As with his previous albums, Mered has once again brought together a group of world class musicians that always meet the moods of each track. With this opening salvo the band channel the musical stylings of early Springsteen (Y Band E-Stryd?), most notably with the inclusion of Michael Brown on saxophone giving the late great Clarence Clemons a run for his money.
‘Dal yn Dynn’ is an enjoyable track, with a nice 70s AOR shuffle feel, about the need to keep hanging on, even when everyday life might be getting you down. As always the band are on top form with a solid rhythm section locking things down, while Mered plays a great electric piano riff over the top and, as always, very tasteful and melodic lead guitar. As with his last album Mered has also been expanding on his sound with additional musicians (such as the aforementioned sax). ‘Dal yn Dynn’ sees the introduction of female vocalist Jaci Williams to the team, who features on seven of the album’s ten tracks, and provides beautiful harmonies and adds a new dimension to the overall sound. But more about that later.
Next it the album’s title track ‘Ydy Hi’n Amser (I Ddweud Ffarwel)’ and one of the first truly goosebump inducing moments on the album. Mered has always been a songwriter of exceptional skill but this track about looking back and the passing of time (themes that permeate throughout the album) is one of his very best. Not only is the song itself incredible but it’s performed with such feeling and emotion that it’s difficult not to be moved to tears. The guitars are clear and crisp with beautifully played end of phrase motifs, while the pedal steel glides over the top, thanks to the welcomed return of world class pedal steel guitarist Mark Dunn. As the song builds the drums kick in to elevate one of the most passionate and soaring acoustic guitar solos you’ll hear as if the soloists very life depends upon it. Over all of this though are Mered’s incredible vocals, which are some of the most honest and earnest throughout all of his albums.
Following such an incredible track as ‘Ydy Hi’n Amser (I Ddweud Ffarwel)’ was always going to be difficult but once again Mered pulls it out of he bag with rock ballad ‘Yno I Ti’ - a song about finding that one person and promising to love them and be there for them, no matter what life has in store. Mered’s vocals again are dripping with emotion and Jaci’s perfect harmonies in the chorus are just sublime. Once again we’re treated to one of Mered’s trademark soaring electric guitar solos that demonstrates why he is one of the greatest (and possibly one of the most sorely underrated) guitarists in Welsh music ever. By the time of the final instrumental outro if you don’t have your lighters aloft then there’s something wrong with you.
‘Hafan Ddirgel’ follows in much the same vein with lush multi-layered harmonies, solid backing from the rhythm section and tasteful electric guitar. With lyrics again looking back at days gone past this is one of those songs that you’d see people singing along to at concerts with eyes welling up as they think back to that special place (hafan ddirgel) or moment in time that meant something special to them.
Mered kicks things up a notch as he channels his inner-Carlos Santana on ‘Beth yn y Byd’, while the band get down and funky. Michael Brown is back with his sax as he and Mered’s electric guitar play off of each other, as together they dance in and around the vocals in a call and response, that will get you up and dancing with them. With lyrics asking “What on earth do we think we’re doing” to the world we live in by not looking after it, who knew that saving the planet could be so catchy?!
If ‘Beth yn y Byd’ is asking the question “What are we doing?” then ‘Well na Hyn’ gives us an answer in saying that we’re better than this (well na hyn), and that we can’t stay silent and need to speak up if we want to see things change for the better. Again the band, this time joined by Mered’s brother John Hywel Morris on organ, play with conviction and passion, reminiscent of some of the great classic rock bands of the 70s, which Mered and the band do so well.
Following on from the previous two songs about the state of the world, sometimes we need to start much closer to home though and just talk. ‘Cofia Ddweud’ is about the importance of talking to someone, especially when you’re going through tough times. In a world so full of despair and hurt at the moment it’s encouraging and uplifting to have songwriters such as Mered who use their music to encourage us to strive now for a better world, whether that’s on a global scale, on a national level or just on a individual level. With uplifting accompaniment from the band (with the second track to include Mark Dunn on pedal steel) to match the content of the lyrics, this is definitely a song to lift your spirits.
Penultimate track ‘Un Ddawns Ola’’ (‘One Last Dance’) gives us a first for one of Mered’s albums as he steps back to allow the incredible Jaci Williams takes centre stage on lead vocals. Jaci has brought a new dimension to this album with her amazing harmony vocals, but on this song of final moments and parting ways, she really shines with her delivery being full of drama and feeling, bringing the song to life through her amazing performance. When Mered joins her on vocal duties it further emphasises the drama and pathos as their harmonies intertwine as if playing out this one final dance in real time. Once again, the band demonstrate their exceptional talents as musicians without ever being overpowering, playing with restraint and tastefulness throughout. As with many of his tracks Mered’s guitar also has its time in the spotlight during the closing moments of the song as it wails, as if crying out in the night.
If the previous track was full of tension and drama then by contrast the album’s closing track, ’Lifeline’, is a soft and tender goodbye. Performed solely by Mered, accompanying himself on piano and guitar, it’s yet another standout moment on the album that is goosebump inducing and demonstrates what an incredibly skilled songwriter and performer he is. The sparseness of the arrangement allows the focus to be placed fully on the beautiful melody and deeply personal lyrics, which offer us another first as, unlike all of Mered’s previously released songs, it is sung in English rather than Welsh. Much like the album’s title track, it’s hard to hold back the tears as Mered pours every shred of emotion into the final lines - “You were one in a lifetime for me”.
As I said at the start of this review, Mered is one of the most constantly prolific songwriters out there and each album is always to such an incredibly high standard, but ‘Yay Hi’n Amser?’ is by far his best, and probably his most personal, emotional and heartfelt, album to date.
The production on the album is superb, the performance from everyone involved is world-class and, most importantly, the songs are incredible. I know that I’ve already commented that Mered is one of the greatest guitarists in Welsh music, but he is also one of the most exceptional songwriters in Welsh music too.
If you’re lucky enough to have already heard Mered’s music then this album is a must. If you haven’t heard Mered’s music then I strongly urge you to buy any of his albums - but most definitely this one.
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