Cyn Cwsg Release Clear-Eyed New Single “Katter”

The Welsh folk quartet release ‘Katter’, ahead of their upcoming EP ‘Let a Thousand Blossoms Bloom’, out January 26th.

It’s perhaps a perfect prelude to the upcoming EP, because the single reminds of a soundcheck (albeit a suspiciously perfectly-tuned one) recorded the moment they step into the studio. The sugarclotted pysch guitars - grainy and oozing at some registers and smoother at others, but always pretty sweet - play a sort of head-butting ‘copy that’ with each other, before Obed-Powell Davie’s stereophonic slurs play intervention and the two guitar lines magically fall into lockstep with each other (for a while, anyhow). It’s a beautifully classic take on classic rock ideals of how to play as a band, and how to stand out as a player - and yes, as Davie’s put it in a press release, they do ‘owe Television a pint.’ 

Also not unlike Television, there’s a good balance of synchronicity and feeling like they’re playing just on the edge of their tiptoes, both literally and proverbially. It’s a worthwhile strategy, and one that, from the listeners’ perspective anyhow, feels like a perfect combination of bewitching and confrontational; but both terms seem like something to be taken seriously, and the band doesn’t seem to take themselves too seriously at all. Have a listen, see what I mean.

‘Katter’ is available to stream now.

Photography by: Sam Stevens