After two decades, most bands fade into nostalgic footnotes or return only to chase a fading or faded spark. Not Melys. The Welsh indie vets drop hooks, humour, and hard truths. On Second Wind, the Welsh indie group pick up where they left off and then push further. This isn’t a throwback record or a rehash of past glories. It’s a sharp and vital album that feels necessary, not just welcomed.
There’s something refreshing about how Second Wind balances warmth and confrontation. Whether they’re calling out sexism in the music industry on “5 Star T*ts” or basking in the bright energy of “Llawenydd (Joy),” Melys avoids cheap sentiment or posturing. Their lyrics hit with clarity and Andrea’s delivery is cool, sometimes cutting, but never hollow. The message in “Sgleinio” lands hard by confronting social media pressure with a mix of dry wit and direct honesty.
The album’s sonic palette is wide, but never scattered. “Santa Cruz” breezes along with a laid-back charm, while “Love Yourself” and “Bruises” cut deeper with heavier themes and tighter arrangements. Everything is filtered through the band’s seasoned lens. Melodic, yes, but underscored by grit and self-awareness. The guest appearance from Pendulum’s Peredur Ap Gwynedd adds extra fire to “5 Star T*ts”. It’s a song that’s as fierce as it is fed up.
Despite being recorded remotely in Wales and Scotland, the record never feels disjointed or distant. It has a presence and a personality. That credit goes to producer Gorwel Owen, whose long history with the Welsh scene ensures Second Wind retains a distinct Melys identity even as the band updates their sound.
What really makes Second Wind stand out, though, is its refusal to coast. This isn’t a band grateful just to be back though, it’s a group with something to say and the experience to say it well. The result is one of the most self-assured and unforced comebacks in recent memory. Melys didn’t just catch the proverbial second wind, they’re flying with it.
Catch Melys live
- May 9th – Wrexham, Focus Wales Festival
- May 15th – Edinburgh, Liquid Rooms
- May 17th – Oxford, O2 Academy**
- May 23rd – Birmingham, O2 Academy**
- May 24th – In It Together Festival, Margam
- May 25th – Milton Keynes, MK11**
**supporting Huey Morgan
