Tom Emlyn has delivered something genuinely refreshing with his sixth album, Passing Craze, out on Dirty Carrot Records. The Swansea singer-songwriter started these tracks as part of a university project with producer Evan Collett, and you can really feel that relaxed, hands-on energy across every song.
The whole record has a warm, tactile charm that immediately grabs your attention. Recording initial takes in brief studio sessions around Bristol before taking the files home gave the production room to breathe. I love the way acoustic guitars interlock with subtle trumpet lines and oddball synth patches, and that 1970s Roland synthesizer they rescued from a family storage unit adds character to tunes like “Your Dishes” and “Burning the Candle”, especially when run through a crunchy tape pedal.
There is plenty of variety here to keep things interesting. “Miss Understood” pairs heavy guitar riffs with fuzzy electronic accents that drive the rhythm. Alys Hardy adds soft background harmonies that blend seamlessly with Emlyn’s laid-back vocal style, while Jack Patrick keeps the beat steady on drums. It sounds like sitting in on a late-night jam session where a group of talented friends effortlessly turn raw ideas into memorable pop melodies.
Give this record a spin if you enjoy honest, homemade psych-pop with real personality. Make sure to follow Tom Emlyn on Instagram so you do not miss his upcoming live show dates this summer.
Follow Tom Emlyn: Instagram – Spotify.
