Whether by chance or intention, the release of Melin Melyn’s debut album is remarkably well-timed: arriving just as the UK begins to warm up, ‘Mill On The Hill’ serves as the auditory equivalent of the first day of Spring, capturing the essence of blooming daffodils and budding optimism. Focused on the Welsh group’s namesake Yellow Mill (the English meaning of Melin Melyn), the album is also the result of comprehensive world-building on a grand and impressive scale, utilizing pastoral themes and melodic explorations to take us to a space where music is revered above all. The record features sunlit jangle-pop (‘Vitamin D’), whimsical prog-rock shifts (‘Fantastic Food’), and lively psychedelia (‘Master Plan’), injecting much-needed playfulness into a realm often clouded by self-importance. Nonetheless, these moments of carefree enjoyment—especially the ‘Crocodile Rock’ vibe of ‘The Pigeon & The Golden Egg’ and the toe-tapping hoedown in the latter part of ‘Running On MT’—are balanced by softer, more reflective passages, allowing the traditions and language of the band’s cherished homeland to shine through (such as in the tender country snippet ‘Derek’ or the dreamy feel of ‘18-30’). Exemplifying commitment to the concept and executing it with flair, ‘Mill On The Hill’ reaffirms Melin Melyn’s position firmly in their unique space once more.
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‘Mill On The Hill’ clearly showcases Melin Melyn in their unique style once more, which is not unexpected.