Gwenno - 'Le Kov'

7/10

After releasing her debut solo album 'Y Dydd Olaf' back in 2015, Welsh frontwoman Gwenno Saunders aka Gwenno showed a strong interest in her native language for the release. Singing predominantly in Welsh about her native culture, the album aimed to capture the identity or loss of it in today's modern world. Now returning for her second studio album, she has turned her attention to another forgotten language of the UK; Cornish, as she releases the ambient and progressive 'Le Kov'.

Much like her debut, the theme of this record aims to encapsulate the sense of what it is like to be part of a dismantled culture. Taking inspiration from the myths and history of the Cornish people, she has managed to capture the otherworldly and spiritual nature of Cornwall with her diverse production and swooning vocals. And while the language barrier may feel hard to overcome at times, 'Le Kov' proves to be more than just a concept release but an soothing, audial pleasure throughout.

Gwenno has once again proven herself to be one of this country's most proficient songwriters. While the idea of writing an album in an almost dead language may seem alienating to some, she has done a beautiful job in making it as warm and inviting as possible.

More Reviews

Clean Bandit - 'New Eyes'
10 years 6 months ago

6/10

EP: SBTRKT - ’Transitions’
10 years 9 months ago

7/10

EP: Com Truise - 'Wave 1'
10 years 10 months ago

8/10

ALBUMS OF 2013: Top 10-1
10 years 12 months ago

10. Savages – Silence Yourself

ALBUMS OF 2013: Top 20-11
10 years 12 months ago

20. Factory Floor – Factory Floor

ALBUMS OF 2013: Top 30-21
10 years 12 months ago

30. Laura Mvula – Sing To The Moon

ALBUMS OF 2013: Top 40-31
11 years 22 hours ago

40. Ryan Hemsworth – Guilt Trips

ALBUMS OF 2013: Top 50-41
11 years 1 day ago

50. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Mosquito