Bill Ryder-Jones

Iechyd Da

Image of Bill Ryder-Jones - Iechyd Da

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Beautifully produced and rich in scope – ‘Iechyd Da’ is Bill Ryder-Jones’ most ambitious record to date. At times joyous and grand, at others intimate and heartbreaking, the past few years spent producing other artists have provided that gentle nudge to expand into new territory, from kids choirs and tender strings to dramatically re-contextualised disco samples.

Making this album has been a process that has been endlessly rewarding for Ryder-Jones, both creatively and personally, as he finally accepts that he’s made an album that has bettered one he’s been trying to top for a decade. “It's been incredible making this,” he says. “Despite all the life stuff that's happened, it has brought me immense happiness. I've always railed against it when people ask if making a record is cathartic but I’d have to admit that this one really was. Over the years my music has lost a bit of its hope I reckon. It were important for me to make a record that had more hope in it. Even by my standards the last few years have been rocky, but I’ve chosen to soundtrack it with more positive music, you know? I love this album. I haven't been this proud of a record since A Bad Wind Blows in My Heart.”

STAFF COMMENTS

Darryl says: Having left The Coral in 2008 Bill Ryder-Jones released four albums from 2011 to 2018. Unfortunately the COVID period saw a downturn in Bill’s mental health, and this coupled with a broken romantic relationship has led to an understandably long wait for his epic fifth album, ‘Iechyd Da’. Explaining the reasoning behind the title (Welsh for “good health”) Bill says, “My love of Wales has always been there. Half of my family is from there, I lost my brother there, all my childhood holidays were in Scotland or Wales. It’s just a magical place with an incredibly beautiful language. Although I did have to go to Gruff Rhys and ask him about calling it this as I’m still very much an Englishman – he OK’d it.”

There’s a lot of melancholy in Bill’s music, the aforementioned loss of his brother at an early age and recent anguish and despair would usher in the dark clouds for most people, and although the album is filled with understandable heartache its glorious widescreen warmth offers a light at the end of the tunnel.

From the very first bars of opener “I Know That It’s Like This (Baby)” to the final refrain of “Nos Da”, ‘Iechyd Da’ is a work of disarming beauty; Bill’s intimate lyrical honesty shining through as he tries to make sense of the world. His articulate musicology also comes to the fore with classy references throughout; Gal Costa on the aforementioned opener; “Street Hassle” on the poignant “If Tomorrow Starts Without Me”; “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” on the anthemic “Nothing To Be Done”; and Mercury Rev’s “Holes” on the utterly gorgeous redemption song “Thankfully For Anthony” with its lyrical refrain, “I know loss, but I chose love”.

One of Britain's best songwriters is back, and 'Iechyd Da' is Bill-Ryder Jones' masterpiece.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
I Know That It’s Like This (Baby)
A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart Pt. 3
If Tomorrow Starts Without Me
We Don’t Need Them
I Hold Something In My Hand
This Can’t Go On
Side B
1. …And The Sea…
2. Nothing To Be Done
3. It’s Today Again
4. Christinha
5. How Beautiful I Am
6. Thankfully For Anthony
7. Nos Da

Dinked Edition Bonus 7”:
Bedbound Melodies (Big Softies)
When Will I Get Used To This? (Big Softies)

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