Track Of The Day: Aderyn – ‘Playground’

‘Playground‘ is the latest single from South Wales indie-pop artist Aderyn, recent ‘Artist Of The Week’ on BBC Radio Wales. It’s a fun, summery and infectious pop song with a rock edge, recorded in LA with Bobby Bloomfield (who’s previously worked with the likes of 50 Cent and Linkin Park). 

The production is clean and polished with many engaging pop hooks and a cool, fizzing musicality propelled by the tight and energetic rhythm section. Aderyn sings blunt and playful lyrics following a recent breakup, delivered full of attitude and sass; sometimes sung so fast she’s almost rapping. She’s mastered immersive lyrical storytelling, allowing you to picture the scene in your mind – a story that many will relate to and cathartically sing along with in the chorus.

Musically, the song is built around fuzzy, slightly distorted riffs giving it a rocky edge, bringing to mind artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Soccer Mommy and Pale Waves, whilst incorporating swirling guitar chops, synth hooks and vocal harmonies.

Of the track, Aderyn explains:

“Playground was written just after a break-up. I was definitely in the ‘anger’ state of mourning the relationship when I wrote this song. I often joke at my gigs that singing this song live is a form of free therapy for me”. 

‘Playground’ is accompanied by a vibrant music video, showcasing Aderyn’s cheeky charisma and colourful energy as she sings directly into the camera at a sunny seaside theme park, at one point holding a pink smoke flare to amp up the attitude and fun. Watch here:

You can catch Aderyn live at  Sŵn Festival, Cardiff on the 22nd October. Find info about this and other tour dates via her Instagram .

Ella Patenall
@ellapatenall

Photo Credit: Hannah Tottle

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Track Of The Day: Ailsa Tully – ‘Salt Glaze’

Following acclaim for last year’s emotive EP Holy Isle from the likes of The Line Of Best Fit and Clash, as well as support slots with esteemed bands such as Another Sky, Welsh artist and GIHE fave Ailsa Tully has now shared a tender new single.

A poignant reflection on the time that Tully and her partner spent in her late Grandmother’s house during the January lockdown last year, and the accompanying feelings of nostalgia, acceptance and love, ‘Salt Glaze‘ flows with shimmering layers of instrumentation laying the foundations for Tully’s heartfelt crystalline vocals. Rippling with lilting keys and sweeping strings, it offers a glistening moment of reflection and gratitude as its gently harmonious musicality oozes a luscious heartfelt splendour and stirring emotion. A truly immersive soundscape emanating a comforting warmth and exquisite captivating grace.

Of the track, Tully explains:

“My Grandma passed away a few years ago and the house remained unchanged, it was like a museum of salt glaze ceramics and abstract art pieces which began to absorb into my creativity. This song is about that space and how my partner and I tried to make it feel like home during that period while also knowing that it wasn’t ours. It’s ultimately a song about acceptance, balance and letting things be…” 

Watch the beautifully endearing, home-recorded new video for ‘Salt Glaze’ here:

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Adam Whitmore

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Track Of The Day: Aderyn – ‘Yearning’

Following their energetic pop anthem ‘Scotty’, Welsh artist Aderyn newly adds ‘Yearning‘ to their fresh catalogue with melancholic spirit. Showcasing the project’s diversity early on, the track takes an introspective leap – diving past their pop-hit into a romantic indie-acoustic ballad. 

With a loose feel that leaves ample space to breathe and immerse yourself in the emotion, ‘Yearning’ is an endearingly intimate offering. Slow, minimal drums and cello lay a blanket as Aderyn’s acoustic guitar plays earnestly at the front of the mix. With such rawness, we feel that she is playing the song right in front of us – on her childhood bed where she wrote it. Sprinkled across the track, electric guitar leads romanticise the tone of ‘Yearning’ as Aderyn sings from the heart. There is certainly no shortage of vulnerability here as she sweetly pines for her crush without hesitation. “You’re pretty and it hurts right now”, she confesses as the track spins with a swirling emotional freedom. 

Of the track, Aderyn explains:

“...It is a song that encapsulates the feeling of pining for someone. That exquisite, aching pain. It was the first time I’d felt that way about a girl, and this is without a doubt the most vulnerable I’ve ever been in a song. All those feelings were so new, so raw”

‘Yearning’ is stirring in its simplicity, encapsulating the reality of the experience of wishing for someone with perhaps no resolution, nor closure. It’s sharply realistic, yet warming – a comfort song for romantics.

‘Yearning’ is out now. You can listen/download via bandcamp, along with an exclusive b-side demo track, ‘That Summer’.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

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Track Of The Day: Aderyn – ‘Scotty’

Following the lo-fi fuzz of ‘Silver Screen’, Welsh artist Aderyn returns with a chipper pop anthem, ‘Scotty‘, released on Phwoar & Peace Records. After playing drums for years in other grunge rock and indie pop projects, Aderyn was introduced to music from a “backseat perspective”, until she was inspired by the fun of what being a front person may bring…

Filled with jangly guitars and a sweet curiosity in her disposition, ‘Scotty’ offers a quirky sing-along that suggests plenty of potential in Aderyn’s songwriting. Minimal, charming guitar delivers a warmth, setting the scene whilst her vocals sweeten the insightful lyrics that ponder the disappointment and reflection that comes with heartbreak. Speaking on the power that people can hold, Aderyn alludes to different loves across the span of a life. Although melancholic, her awareness of the speed and healing of time is what propels ‘Scotty’ and weaves humility into the entirety of the track.

“And I’ll forget you…” – ‘Scotty’ feels like laying in your bed and missing someone, while serving as a track to help you shake it off. Thumping ’80s drums and dreamy indie guitars brew tastefully throughout as ‘Scotty’ thrives in its choruses to eventually come to a boil in the immersive, euphoric outro. A jaunty guitar solo and invigorating gang vocals chant ‘Scotty’ in what feels like a coming of age for Aderyn. Of the track, the songwriter reflects:

“The phrase ‘beam me up Scotty’ is one my Dad uses whenever something goes wrong, and I wanted to use it to represent that feeling of wanting to be taken totally out of a situation. This song was influenced by the alien-esque imagery of Bowie, and I had fun bringing in different musical influences”

Aderyn’s ‘Scotty’ is a manifestation of dynamic, feel-good pop – surely an intriguing invite for what is to come from the project’s future.

Watch the vibrant, extra-terrestrial inspired video for ‘Scotty’ here:

‘Scotty’ is out now via Phwoar and Peace Records.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

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