GWEN Announces Debut Solo Album 'UMA' With New Single POP!

GWEN, the new project from Gwenllian Anthony, has laid out plans for her debut album.

The Welsh musician, songwriter and producer will release 'UMA' on October 23 via Libertino Records. After years of writing and creating with others, including as a founding member of two-time Welsh Music Prize winners Adwaith, the album marks Anthony's first project written entirely alone while touring across Europe last summer. It was completed in West Wales with Tim Lewis and longtime collaborator Steffan Pringle. Commenting on the creative reinvention, Anthony revealed:

"The experience of writing and recording on my own really allowed me to be introspective and to learn a lot about myself. It allowed me to believe that I am capable, that I am creative and that I have something to say, and that I don’t need to rely on other people to create my vision. I have everything I need inside me. There were moments of self-doubt, feeling lost and fear, which are completely normal in creative practice, but overcoming these has really helped me grow as a musician, as a storyteller and as a person.

"The album reflects self-discovery, the discovery of confidence, discovery of being uncompromising. Writing the album on my own allowed my vision to be uncompromised, but outside of that I have learnt to be fearless and to believe and trust in myself in everyday life.The album is truthful, poignant, joyous and reflects all the emotions that life throws at you. It speaks of reinvention, finding yourself again after major changes, the trials and tribulations of the music industry, love, sadness and friendship.”

To mark the announcement, GWEN has shared the album's opening track, POP!, which is built on a prominent bass-driven groove with electronic elements and lyrics inspired by frustration with the music industry and politics.

"POP! is a release of all the feelings that can bubble away working in the music industry", she explained. "It’s putting up the middle finger to gatekeepers, to the close-minded industry folk, the grind that is expected from artists, but it also reflects on my dreams, what I want to achieve and what I’m willing to sacrifice to achieve those dreams."

The track will be joined on the record by her debut single, Achub Yr Iaith (Save the Language), released in July.

Fresh from her first solo performance at Green Man Festival, GWEN will next play festivals in Italy and the Netherlands, then in October has an appearance lined up at Cardiff's Sŵn Festival and an in-store show at Tangled Parrot in Swansea. A UK and European tour is due to be announced for February and April 2027.

'UMA' tracklist:

1. POP!
2. GOTH
3. TRIX
4. Achub Yr Iaith (Save the Language)
5. Digon (Enough)
6. UN, DAU, TRI! (ONE, TWO, THREE!)
7. Tina Ar Y Crusher (Tina on the Crusher)
8. Umami
9. Meddal (Soft)
10. Breichiau Tyner Y Môr (The Tender Arms of the Sea)

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