"you'll always know where I'll be found / just shine a light and make a sound..."
The propulsive sonic punches and dreamy turmoil of "Cut The Rope" by heddlu, the new musical project of UK's Ceredigion native Rhodri Daniel (founding member of the renowned Welsh band Estrons), feels as potently nostalgic as it does fresh forward. After a sort of pearly beginning of trancy jangle pop guitar and keys, the bass falls and mellow vox set this what feels like a chill course and then at around a minute in the song builds persistently, steadily, passionately throughout. The growing eruption is magnetic, with shuffling drums leading the anthemic atmospheres to a long sustained rousing ascension. The inclusion of crystalline organ-esque keys is (for me) a pure stand out as well.
LINER NOTES (excerpted / bracketed):
[After finishing the band in 2019, Rhodri became aware that his hearing was severely damaged. Years of touring the live circuit had taken their toll, Rhodri ultimately being diagnosed with hearing loss, tinnitus and severe sensitivity to noise. The effects were so acute, Rhodri was unable to play live music, leading to him composing his critically acclaimed debut album (Cantref, 2022) in his head whilst completing the entirety of the Wales Coastal Path (900 miles). His family and namely his sister, were great sources of comfort and hope during this difficult period. Serendipity led Rhodri back to music, and heddlu was born. Meaning ‘Police’ in Welsh, from the words ‘peace-force’, heddlu's music has been true to its’ name, offering a force of peace to the songwriter.
Rhodri spent the next few years writing and experimenting with new sounds and instruments as his hearing slowly recovered. Whilst writing and recording his 2nd album, life found a way of both disrupting and influencing the creative process, leading to multiple re-writes and an entire album being erased. Eventually, despite the interruptions, heddlu’s 2nd album, ‘Tramor’ - was completed.]
Rhodri spent the next few years writing and experimenting with new sounds and instruments as his hearing slowly recovered. Whilst writing and recording his 2nd album, life found a way of both disrupting and influencing the creative process, leading to multiple re-writes and an entire album being erased. Eventually, despite the interruptions, heddlu’s 2nd album, ‘Tramor’ - was completed.]
-Robb Donker Curtius
https://www.instagram.com/heddlu.music/#
https://www.facebook.com/heddlu.music
https://x.com/heddlumusic
https://heddlu.bandcamp.com/album/tramor
Heddlu is the new musical project by Rhodri Daniel. The Ceredigion native was a founding member of renowned Welsh band Estrons who had a major impact on the industry having gained rave reviews from the likes of NME, Vice, DIY and Clash to BBC Radio, Radio X, Ultimate Guitar, TheGuardian and Independent.
After finishing the band in 2019, Rhodri became aware that his hearing was severely damaged. Years of touring the live circuit had taken their toll, Rhodri ultimately being diagnosed with hearing loss, tinnitus and severe sensitivity to noise. The effects were so acute, Rhodri was unable to play live music, leading to him composing his critically acclaimed debut album (Cantref, 2022) in his head whilst completing the entirety of the Wales Coastal Path (900 miles). His family and namely his sister, were great sources of comfort and hope during this difficult period. Serendipity led Rhodri back to music, and heddlu was born. Meaning ‘Police’ in Welsh, from the words ‘peace-force’, heddlu's music has been true to its’ name, offering a force of peace to the songwriter.
Rhodri spent the next few years writing and experimenting with new sounds and instruments as his hearing slowly recovered. Whilst writing and recording his 2nd album, life found a way of both disrupting and influencing the creative process, leading to multiple re-writes and an entire album being erased. Eventually, despite the interruptions, heddlu’s 2nd album, ‘Tramor’ - was completed.
Meaning ‘Overseas’ in Welsh, ‘Tramor’ is series of intimate and volatile songs, detailing years of loss, estrangement, trauma and hope.
“Paid Becso Am Dim”, is the 1st single from heddlu’s 2nd album ‘Tramor’, meaning ‘Don’t worry about a thing’ in Welsh, it was written for Rhodri’s sister who over the past few years, has been fiercely fighting breast cancer. Singing messages of optimism and hope, the song is Rhodri’s small attempt to show the same comfort and support his sister had shown him during his own struggles with hearing damage a few years ago. His sister is now in remission!
“Paid Becso Am Dim” is out on 18th April 2025 on 'Zawn Records'.
“Tramor” will be released early Summer 2025.
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://www.instagram.com/heddlu.music/#
https://www.facebook.com/heddlu.music
https://x.com/heddlumusic
https://heddlu.bandcamp.com/album/tramor
Heddlu is the new musical project by Rhodri Daniel. The Ceredigion native was a founding member of renowned Welsh band Estrons who had a major impact on the industry having gained rave reviews from the likes of NME, Vice, DIY and Clash to BBC Radio, Radio X, Ultimate Guitar, TheGuardian and Independent.
After finishing the band in 2019, Rhodri became aware that his hearing was severely damaged. Years of touring the live circuit had taken their toll, Rhodri ultimately being diagnosed with hearing loss, tinnitus and severe sensitivity to noise. The effects were so acute, Rhodri was unable to play live music, leading to him composing his critically acclaimed debut album (Cantref, 2022) in his head whilst completing the entirety of the Wales Coastal Path (900 miles). His family and namely his sister, were great sources of comfort and hope during this difficult period. Serendipity led Rhodri back to music, and heddlu was born. Meaning ‘Police’ in Welsh, from the words ‘peace-force’, heddlu's music has been true to its’ name, offering a force of peace to the songwriter.
Rhodri spent the next few years writing and experimenting with new sounds and instruments as his hearing slowly recovered. Whilst writing and recording his 2nd album, life found a way of both disrupting and influencing the creative process, leading to multiple re-writes and an entire album being erased. Eventually, despite the interruptions, heddlu’s 2nd album, ‘Tramor’ - was completed.
Meaning ‘Overseas’ in Welsh, ‘Tramor’ is series of intimate and volatile songs, detailing years of loss, estrangement, trauma and hope.
“Paid Becso Am Dim”, is the 1st single from heddlu’s 2nd album ‘Tramor’, meaning ‘Don’t worry about a thing’ in Welsh, it was written for Rhodri’s sister who over the past few years, has been fiercely fighting breast cancer. Singing messages of optimism and hope, the song is Rhodri’s small attempt to show the same comfort and support his sister had shown him during his own struggles with hearing damage a few years ago. His sister is now in remission!
“Paid Becso Am Dim” is out on 18th April 2025 on 'Zawn Records'.
“Tramor” will be released early Summer 2025.
heddlu, Welsh artist, singer songwriter / musician Rhodri Daniel, potent musical interplay, 90's music, early aughts tones, fresh contemporary sounds, sonically rich, "Cut The Rope" single, sophomore album Tramor,
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