Albwm Cymraeg y Flwyddyn 2023

Adwaith - Bato Mato (Libertino Records) Following Adwaith’s success after receiving the 2022 Welsh Music Prize for their second album, Bato Mato, the album has now reached the shortlist for Welsh Language Album of the Year. With the Caerfyrddin trio busy touring Wales, the United Kingdom and beyond, there was considerable anticipation to hear how they would follow up their award-winning debut. 'Eto’ became one of the biggest anthems of 2022, before Bato Mato astonished listeners with a healthy mix of catchy melodies, heavy riffs and a punk attitude.

Avanc - YN FYW (Live) (Annibynol) This is Avanc, an ensemble of young and skilled musicians who work together to echo Welsh traditions with a contemporary, strong and enthusiastic sound. The album, recorded live for Celtic Connections, is a powerful performance that is a testament to the group's ability to weave together the old and the new. A celebration of the strength and enthusiasm of a new generation of musicians, the lyrical melodies and powerful words on YN FYW (Live) are a clear statement that there is a bright and prosperous future to come in the world of Welsh folk music.

Cerys Hafana - Edyf (Annibynol) Over the past few years Cerys Hafana has reintroduced the triple harp to a new generation, with an experimental perspective and approach to playing this traditional instrument. With her second album, Edyf, Cerys Hafana expanded her instrumental scope including string and brass sections together with rhythmic beats to create an innovative sonic collaboration. It is impossible to separate the charming voice of the singer from Machynlleth from her lyrical lines on the triple harp - they feed off each other on this record to create an impressive and unique soundscape.

Dafydd Owain - Uwch Dros y Pysgod (Recordiau I KA CHING) Known to audiences across Wales as a member of Eitha Tal Ffranco, Jen Jeniro, Palenco and Omaloma, Uwch Dros y Pysgod is Dafydd Owain’s debut solo album. In this record of acoustic songs the versatile musician takes listeners on a journey to the fictional village of Uwch Dros y Pysgod to meet its inhabitants. Dafydd Owain mastered the art of storytelling on. this album with his playful lyrics and delicate textures. With influences ranging from americana to psychedelia, a trip to the imaginary village is sure to be one to remember.

Fleur De Lys - Fory Ar Ôl Heddiw (Recordiau Côsh) Without a doubt one of north Wales’ busiest bands, there was much anticipation to hear how Fleur De Lys would follow-up their award-winning debut album. The rockers from Anglesey and Morfa Nefyn returned with an album full of successful singles and new anthems, with the group producing the record themselves this time. From the protest song 'Archfarchnad' to the dramatic 'Hwyl Ti, Gymru', Fory Ar Ôl Heddiw is a record with maturer themes that’s seamlessly intertwined with the band’s characteristic rock sound.

Kizzy Crawford - Cariad y Tir (Sain) Cariad y Tir, the latest album by the versatile singer Kizzy Crawford, is a collection of reinterpreted Welsh folk and traditional tunes. With an acoustic feel to these new arrangements, there are now also several melodies to the accompaniment of Latin-American and South-American beats. It’s a record with global appeal, with the multi-cultural influences of the singer's upbringing being the connecting thread between the songs. Above all, Cariad y Tir is a celebration of theWelsh heritage that was so central to Kizzy Crawford’s childhood, and succeeds on giving a contemporary spin on traditional works.

Pedair - mae 'na olau (Sain) Pedair is the latest project by a group of the most prominent voices in Welsh folk singing - Siân James, Gwyneth Glyn, Gwenan Gibbard and Meinir Gwilym. Weaving characteristic aspects of their individual styles, they’ve already proven themselves as one of Wales' most popular groups. On their first album, mae 'na olau, tender harmonies intertwine with subtle instrumentation as the folk quartet present traditional and original tunes. Hope is undoubtedly one of the main themes of this record, with Pedair reminding us through their nuanced songs that beauty can be found in every corner of our world.

Rogue Jones - Dos Bebés (Libertino Records) Following a long hiatus, Rogue Jones, the experimental husband and wife duo from west Wales, returned with an album of vast and alternative sounds. Clarinet, strings, synth, electric and acoustic guitars - Dos Bebés combines unexpected instruments, styles and themes in a record full of wit and surreal lyrics. The relationship between the voices of Bethan Mai and Ynyr Morgan Ifan is central to the record, together with their cinematic and rich arrangements. With the band describing the record as "intergalactic pop", Dos Bebés transport listeners to another world

Sŵnami - Sŵnamii (Recordiau Côsh) Sŵnami returned to the air-waves in 2022 with the long-awaited follow up to the 2016 Welsh Language Album of the Year - Sŵnamii. With singles like 'Theatr', 'Be Bynnag Fydd' and 'Uno, Cydio, Tanio' promising a new sound by the group from Meirnionydd, this album shows that Sŵnami’s songs are as catchy as ever. Returning to work with their long-time producer, Rich Roberts, Sŵnami’s message is maturer with themes of identity and self-acceptance central to the record.