The swagger of Tom Emlyn

New single from upcoming album, Rehearsal for the Rain: Scaredycat Vol. 2

Sometimes, the overwhelming flow of bands from Wales stuck in 1966 can give an unfortunate taste of a scene awash in mediocrity. But this, I realise, is not because of the peculiar love for psyche/psychedelia of Welsh artists (are Super Furry Animals to blame?), but because most of the songs are bland. Step forward Tom Emlyn, who seems to have a natural affiliation with this sound, and has the ability to both embed himself in the vibe while at the same time throwing in a few surprises.

His latest single from his upcoming album is a great example of a superb songwriter decorating his tunes with the delicate accoutrements of the late 'sixties. There is a lovely swagger to it, and a muted guitar, and that reversed vocal, finished off with a jellybread solo straight out of the psyche playbook.

The other reason, though, that I’m spotlighting Tom Emlyn in today’s BRG is not because he’s put out a decent, interesting, well-constructed single, but because I’ve heard the album it’s off, and I think it’s a corker.

Here’s a bit of the blurb for it.

Tom Emlyn's fourth album in two years, Rehearsal For The Rain: Scaredycat Vol. 2 is a self-produced, powerful, fully realised creative statement.

In summer 2022, Tom released his debut solo album ‘News From Nowhere’, a bittersweet love letter to his hometown of Swansea, described by Adam Walton (BBC Radio Wales) as a record of “undoubted brilliance, eloquence and energy”. It has been positively received, with airplay and support from Radio Wales, BBC Horizons, R.E.P.E.A.T. fanzine, God Is In The TV, and Joyzine, among others. Tom’s second album ‘I’ve Seen You In Town’ followed quickly– a more mellow, acoustic affair which was also well received. He also released the ‘Scounger EP’ on Bandcamp last February.

His latest record follows hot on the heels of Return Journey Revisited: Scaredycat Vol 1, which was released in May 2023. In the same vein as the first volume, Rehearsal For The Rain gathers up lost fragments from years of songwriting and making music.

If you like stuff somewhere in the region of Big Star, The Count Five, 13th Floor Elevators, and Soft Machine, then you won’t go far wrong here.

The album is released digitally and on cassette on August 29th.