I judged this year’s Welsh music prize – and Don Leisure’s winning album sums up the nation’s eclectic spirit

Desert blues, transcendental electronica and a concept album about a mill powered by music – this year’s shortlisted albums were stunningly diverse, none more so than the crate-digging on the triumphant Tyrchu SainWhat if I told you that this year’s Welsh music prize shortlist featured an eclectic mix of desert blues, weird folk, malevolent trance and indie rock? Impressed? OK, what if I told you that all this merely describes the first album on the shortlist?Such is the radical eclecticism of female trio Adwaith’s Solas, a double album, sung in Welsh and recorded in various locations including the Outer Hebrides and the drummer’s parents’ barn. How, I wondered – just 20 minutes into a playlist of 15 albums that stretched over 10 hours – was anything expected to beat this? Continue reading...

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