Croeso! Welcome to Clash’s monthly roundup of new Welsh music. In this feature, we spotlight the best new releases from up-and-coming acts hailing from Wales. After a break over the Christmas period, we’re back to highlight some fantastic new releases by relatively new Welsh artists in January, encompassing everything from sleazy satirical rock to inventive hardcore punk and powerful spoken word.
Before we dive in, here’s a brief overview of notable events that occurred across the nation last month. In Cardiff, Sŵn Festival launched their Sŵn Spotlight series, presenting a series of gigs showcasing newer bands at various locations throughout the city. One standout venue is the impressive Sustainable Studio, which is becoming an increasingly exciting and pivotal spot. In other good venue news, The Moon has reopened under new ownership as The New Moon, shifting focus slightly towards MOBO music. With Wales’ thriving rap scene, this change seems both timely and well deserved. Additionally, this venue will also host Diff Radio, an upcoming online radio station. Lastly, the delightful venue Porter’s has opened a new theatre, creating a 60-seat basement space that finally provides Cardiff with a small/fringe theatre, fulfilling a vital need for Wales’ many creatives who require physical spaces to hone their skills. This column, unusually, presents multiple positive updates regarding Welsh venues!
In further positive developments nationwide, Wrexham’s FOCUS Wales festival announced over 100 new acts for its 2025 event; Welsh Language Music Day revealed various lineups across the nation for February 7th; the impressive Newport Music Trail festival was announced, set to occur on March 28th-29th across various venues in the city; and finally, a new music showcase night held its debut event at the historic Pontypridd Muni.
The Welsh music scene is off to a promising start this year. Check out the following releases as solid evidence of the nation’s ongoing musical vibrancy.
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Papa Jupe’s T.C. – ‘Jupe In The Flesh’
All hail Papa Jupe! The band from Cardiff, Papa Jupe’s T.C., is a brilliant creation; a six-member ensemble playing sleazy post-punk/surf rock with clever, satirical lyrics and a conceptual aesthetic centered around the fictional cult leader. Their second EP, ‘Jupe In The Flesh,’ is filled with hit after hit, featuring standout tracks like the 6 Music-supported ‘High Value Male,’ the catchy choruses of ‘Milgi,’ and the hilarious, irresistibly enjoyable ‘Course We’re Goin’ Out.’ Papa Jupe’s T.C. possess all the qualities of greatness – endless terrific tunes, a well-developed aesthetic, wild live performances, and to top it off, they look incredibly cool (as seen in the banner image of this column). Join their church asap.
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Proprioception – ‘My Salvation Lies In The Church Of You’
Welsh hardcore is very much alive and thriving. A number of excellent bands have emerged over the past couple of years, and Proprioception stands out among the most uniquely intriguing and ferocious. Their debut EP, ‘My Salvation Lies In The Church Of You’ (great title), is a raw, intense, and musically ambitious collection that offers more than just brutal mosh parts (which it excels at, too). Notable tracks include ‘Rubberist’ with its menacing double hi-hat grooves and the middle segment of ‘High Heels Inside Your Throat’ that evokes the sound of 90s technical death metal. Last month was significant for the Welsh hardcore scene, with this gritty gem and strong new releases from Only Way Out and Bigfoot also arriving.
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Red Telephone – ‘Delay the New Day’
Although they may be too new to fully be classified as such, Red Telephone already exhibits all the traits of a great cult band. The Cardiff group merges synth-heavy darkwave with quintessentially quirky Welsh psych, resulting in a blend rich in lush textures and alluring rhythms. Their second full-length album, ‘Delay the New Day,’ is a confident and commanding collection, especially when its massive synths take center stage, evident in the brooding darkness at the start of ‘Faithful’ and the heavy squelches in ‘Willing To Wait.’ If you aim to create retro or time-warped music, ensure it’s done with as much flair and creativity as the captivating Red Telephone.
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Can Kicker – ‘Yew’
Switching back to punk, let’s delve into Can Kicker’s impressive new collection of miserablist post/anarcho-punk. Drawing inspiration from UK legends like Crass, Magazine, and Zounds (who, fun fact, are led by this author’s uncle), this four-piece’s energetic second full-length offers a guided tour through the drizzly, grey streets of Cardiff. One moment you’re engaged in a thoughtful discussion, and the next you’re being pursued through labyrinthine back alleys. It
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