Welsh Language Album of the Year Award shortlist

The award organised in conjunction with BBC Radio Cymru, is to celebrate all types of Welsh music that is currently being released in Wales.

The award has now been running since 2014 and includes all kinds of musical styles from pop to folk, instrumental, classical and choral and is open to anyone who has produced a Welsh album in the period between 1 June 2024 and 30 May 2025. 

The aim of the award is to give the product that is released by artists in Wales the deserved attention and is awarded by a panel of 6 judges from the music industry in Wales.

This year's judges are: Martha Owen, Nico Dafydd, Elain Roberts, Gruffydd Davies, Branwen Williams and Heulyn Rees.

The winner will be announced on the Pafiliwn stage, at 18:10, on Wednesday 6 August. 

The shortlisted albums this year are:

• Adwaith - Solas - Libertino
• Bwncath - Bwncath III - Sain
• Don Leisure - Tyrchu Sain - Sain
• Elfed Saunders Jones - Cofiwch Roswell - Klep Dim Trep
• Gwenno Morgan - Gwyw - Gwenno Morgan
• Gwilym Bowen Rhys - Aden - Recordiau Erwydd
• Pys Melyn - Fel Efeilliaid - Skiwhiff
• Sywel Nyw - Hapusrwydd yw Bywyd - Lwcus T
• Tai Haf Heb Drigolyn - Ein Albwm Cyntaf Ni - Pendrwm
• Ynys - Dosbarth Nos - Libertino

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Adwaith - Solas - Libertino
With 'Solas', Adwaith completes a coming-of-age trilogy that began with 2018’s Welsh Music Prize-winning 'Melyn' and 2022’s Welsh Music Prize-winning 'Bato Mato', which took them on a literal and figurative journey far from home. After travelling across Siberia on the Trans-Siberian Railway for 'Bato Mato', Adwaith found themselves reflecting on home even in the unfamiliar landscapes of Outer Siberia. Now, 'Solas' offers a raw yet uplifting exploration of self-discovery and grounding, expressed in the album’s Celtic title meaning “light of being” or “enlightenment.” “It’s about finding that home, and that safe space, within yourself,” shares Hollie Singer, “and rediscovering what makes your inner child happy.”

Sonically, this record marks a shift from the band’s earlier post-punk influences, drawing instead from a rich tapestry of musical tastes. Over years spent driving to gigs in their small hatchback, the trio has built a vast collection of playlists, covering all the bases from ABBA to Turkish rock, fuelling their journeys with eclectic sounds. Key influences on the album include The Cure’s moody rock, the avant-garde rhythms of Lizzy Mercier Descloux, the desert blues of Tinariwen, and the psychedelic folk of Jessica Pratt. 

Much of 'Solas' was written at Heledd’s house, a stone’s throw from the eco-commune of Tipi Valley in West Wales, and recorded in West Wales, Lisbon and the Outer Hebrides. These remote and myth-rich locations have influenced Solas’ spiritual atmosphere and musical journey. “It reminded me of home, in a way,” Singer reflects of the Outer Hebrides, which became a daily source of inspiration. It was there, overlooking Luskentyre Beach, that the band encountered a building named 'Solas'. Drummer, Heledd Owen shares, “the symmetry felt too magical to ignore,” shaping the album’s resonance with both place and self.”

Bwncath - Bwncath III - Sain
‘Bwncath III’, Bwncath's third album is full of new classics from one of the busiest and most popular bands in Wales. Bwncath's unique musical stamp is clearly evident on the songs and the style remains true to the band's characteristic sound, exciting and captivating as ever, but here too there is a new maturity touching on various themes - love, the fragility of life, friendship, loneliness and hope, and the tone moves artfully through longing and uncertainty to excitement and enjoyment - all a mirror to the lives of so many of us.    

The last five years have been an exceptionally busy time for the band with calls to sing continuously. Within two weeks of the release of their second album, 'Bwncath II', in 2020, there were over 100,000 streams on Spotify. The band received recognition beyond Wales as the album reached number 27 in the 'Official Folk Albums Charts UK' and remained in the top 40 for almost a whole year, among names such as The Staves and Laura Marling. Now, Bwncath's music catalog has received a total of over 8 million streams on Spotify. The songs of 'Bwncath III', like all their other songs, will certainly be on the tongues of the nation very soon.

Don Leisure - Tyrchu Sain - Sain
Musician Don Leisure is recognised as one of the most experimental and adventurous producers and beat experts in the current musical ecosystem. He is one half of the duo Darkhouse Family (with Earl Jeffers) and has collaborated with artists such as Angel Bat Dawid, Gruff Rhys, DJ Spinna and his fellow musicians on the First world label, Amanda Whiting and Tyler Dayley (Children of Zeus). He has also received support and praise from Lauren Laverne, Tom Ravenscroft, Huw Stephens, Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, The Vinyl Factory, Clash, Uncut and others.

Over the past year the label has been working on a special project, in conjunction with the National Library of Wales, to digitise the entire archive. The archive, covering 55 years of records, will be preserved in digital format for future generations. The digitisation project was a period of re-discovery and appreciation and as part of this Don Leisure was invited to delve into the precious archive to create an explosion of sonic tapestry from the dusty old records.

'Tyrchu Sain’ is an album that holds nothing back and explores without boundaries, and an album that allows Don to put his own unexpected stamp on fantastic and otherworldly compositions. The record includes contributions from other Welsh artists who share Don Leisure's interest in Welsh music of the past, including Gruff Rhys, Carwyn Ellis, Earl Jeffers, Amanda Whiting and Boy Azooga.

Elfed Saunders Jones - Cofiwch Roswell - Klep Dim Trep
Let the etheral voices of Mefus a Mafon (Siwan Morris and Siân Wyn, formerly of Saron) take you on a journey through the cosmos to somewhere much better than this old world. And when you've reached the end of the universe while listening to 'Y Llong Ofod', why not turn to the other side, and have a go at 'Ddowch Chi Efo Ni?', where Hedd (Wyn Wirion) joins the crew to sing the anthem of the Believers.

If all this sounds a bit foreign to you, don't worry - there is an explanation on the way in the next sentence. These songs are a taste of Elfed's latest rock opera, 'Cofiwch Roswell' - a story that begins in Aberystwyth at the end of the 60s. College students have been disappearing one after another, and no one knows why. As the young journalist Geraint Jenkins (Iwan Huws, Cowboys Rhos Botwnnog) tries to get to the root of the story, he soon realises that the path will lead him somewhere stranger than he could have ever imagined.

Gwenno Morgan - Gwyw - Gwenno Morgan
gwyw: the first album of the composer and pianist, Gwenno Morgan; a cinematic collage that weaves together classical, folk and jazz influences. A neo-classical journey that moves between minimalism and a wealth of ambient sounds, with the piano leading the way. The concept for the album arose naturally from life experiences: grief, heartbreak and longing, but also hope and momentum. You will hear unexpected time signatures, to convey life's twists and turns. Each change of rhythm reflects life's surprises, inviting you to enjoy the beauty of uncertainty.

‘Gwyw’ explores the fragility and endurance of life. From the calm tranquility of the track 'hedd', which was inspired by the experience of swimming in one of Eryri's lakes, to the fast beats of 'calram', and the pure emotion of the main track, 'gwyw', the album intertwines themes of movement, transformation and letting go. Also included is the track 'i neB', a kind of moving instrumental hymn, which is Gwenno's personal tribute to her first piano tutor. Gwenno co-produced the album with the composer and producer from Belgium, Arthur Brouns. gwyw also includes collaborations with saxophonist Jasmine Myra ('dail'), and artist Casi Wyn ('whatsappio duw'), their unique contributions adding to the magical feel of the album.

Developed from Logic's demo tracks over several years, wither feels like a collage of experiences — where minimalistic motifs, heavy Hans Zimmer-style drum rhythms, and powerful synths, meet fragile memories and the comfort of peace and hope.

Gwilym Bowen Rhys - Aden - Recordiau Erwydd
‘Aden' is Gwilym Bowen Rhys' fifth album. The Bethel, north Wales folk singer blends original compositions and traditional songs with folk, bluegrass and baroque influences.

Gwilym is joined on the album by Gwen Màiri (lever harp / triple harp / harmonium), Patrick Rimes (fiddle, viola, harmonium, trombone), Ailsa Mair (Viola da Gamba), Will Pound (harmonica, melodeon) and Aled Wyn Hughes (double bass). The collection was recorded at Stiwdio Sain, Llandwrog with Aled Wyn Hughes.

Gwilym Bowen Rhys has established himself as a worthy ambassador for Welsh language and song both at home in Wales and across the world, confirmed by his nomination for the Folk Singer of the Year Award in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and winning the Best Solo Artist Award in the Welsh Folk Awards.

Pys Melyn - Fel Efeilliaid - Skiwhiff
Pys Melyn are Ceiri, Sion, Owain, Owain and Jac from Pen Llŷn, North Wales. Gigging since 2014, the first Pys Melyn singles were released in 2018, with Ski-Whiff records started the following year to release “Bywyd Llonydd”, the band’s first album in 2021. This first album drew on a variety of global influences and was followed by ‘Bolmynydd’ in August 2023, which draws on a more traditional range of 60’s/70’s influences. 

Both were nominated for the Welsh Music Prize. After releasing the ‘Bolmynydd’, they toured around the UK and Brittany, playing venues like the Garage in London and Rough Trade Bristol. In 2024 we released their third record, Fel Efeilliaid (Like Twins), which is a diverse collection of songs and instrumental tracks. Some songs have been played live for a few years and some have been sitting in a drive waiting to see the light of day for even longer.

They’ve also recorded a BBC6Music session for Riley and Coe, supported Gruff Rhys on the Sadness Sets Me Free tour and Spiritualised at Focus Wales in May, as well as a host of festivals and gigs across the UK in the summer like Green Man and the Great Escape in Brighton. They completed their first UK headline tour in November 2024 and are looking forward to playing more festivals and tours as well as releasing new music in 2025. 

Sywel Nyw - Hapusrwydd yw Bywyd - Lwcus T
Following up his acclaimed debut Deuddeg, which won the Welsh Language Album of the Year in 2022 and was nominated for the Welsh Music Prize, Sywel Nyw returns with his second album ‘Hapusrwydd yw Bywyd’.

Sywel Nyw’s upcoming album, is self-recorded, mixed, and rich in sampling—pulling away from past indie textures and diving deep into club-ready house, disco, and electronica. True to Sywel Nyw’s collaborative ethos, the album features a rich mix of voices—bringing in fresh perspectives from new collaborators like acclaimed novelist and poet Megan Hunter, while also reuniting with familiar names such as Iolo Selyf (Y Ffug).

The album title is taken from its opening track, which features a quote by Russian novelist Dostoevsky, sampled from a sermon delivered by Reverend Guto Llewelyn. It sets the tone: “Life is a gift, life is happiness, every minute can be an eternity of happiness.” That same spirit infuses Teimla’r Gwres—a track bursting with joy, movement, and love.

Tai Haf Heb Drigolyn - Ein Albwm Cyntaf Ni
'Ein Albwm Cyntaf Ni' is the debut album by Tai Haf Heb Drigolyn, recorded over a year in three different home studios: Stiwdio Brynteg, Radio Dyfi and Ogof Llyfnant.

The band consists of members Izak Zjalic, Simon Richards and William P Jones. Tracks were recorded between a fusion of Ableton and cassette, with the use of the Tascam Portastudio 424 rendering the discrepant textures and lo-fi quality.

Both the sound palette and lyrics are diverse across the album. Opening track 'Crancod' is a lo-fi guitar song with a crushing childlike synth crescendo which brings the listener into the hauntological soundscape, whilst tracks such as 'Siwgr' and 'Mach GP' bring a sense of tenderness and sweetness.

The album symbolises the joy of a collective DIY music ethos which embraces imperfections and happy accidents, with it being written, arranged and produced by all three members.

Ynys - Dosbarth Nos - Libertino
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. 

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.