With Y Dwylo Uwchben (April 11th), Breichiau Hir sharpen their identity and expand their vision without losing the edge that’s made them one of Wales’ most electrifying acts. It’s a record that asks questions: not just where you’ve been, but what comes next.
There’s a clear sense of growth at play. Compared to the episodic sprawl of their 2021 debut Hir Oes I’r Cof, this album feels more fluid and more unified. That cohesion stems from a focused period of collaboration, with band members spending dedicated time away together, writing and shaping the songs as a collective.
The six-piece leans hard into their strengths. Tension-and-release guitar work, shifting dynamics, and lyrics that carry both weight and rhythm. Steffan Dafydd’s voice cuts through the chaos, but now there’s more space for interplay and experimentation. Tracks like “Cuddio Tu Ôl Y Llen” tackle struggle with directness, while ”Paid Trio” spins that tension toward transformation. The music is just as forceful, but the questions it’s asking have matured.
While they continue to write and perform entirely in Welsh, it never feels like a statement. It is just a reflection of who they are.
Steffan says,
It’s the language I think in, so it’s my voice.
The conviction is clear, the delivery is fierce, and the language barrier dissolves under the sheer momentum. Breichiau Hir doesn’t need a translator or translation. They’ve found a way to speak through volume, structure, and spirit. With Y Dwylo Uwchben, they’re not just looking back. They’re charging forward with their soaring riffs, charging rhythms, and unfiltered Welsh grit and taking their scene with them.
Live dates:
10.04.25 – Bristol – The Old England
17.04.25 – Cardiff – Clwb Ifor Bach (album launch show)
05.09.25 – Manchester – Academy 2 *
06.09.25 – Kendal – Brewery Arts (Malt Room) *
10.10.25 – Nottingham – Metronome *
11.10.25 – Kidderminster – 45 Live *
18.10.25 – Frome – Cheese & Grain *
24.10.25 – London – Electric Ballroom *
25.10.25 – Ipswich – Corn Exchange *
07.11.25 – Reading – Sub89 *
08.11.25 – Southampton – Engine Rooms *
* w/ Goldie Lookin Chain
