Development : is the process of growing, changing, or becoming more advanced, complete, or mature. It also refers to creating something new, improving a situation, or building on a piece of land.
A name so perfect you hold it up there with your Velvet Underground, Joy Division, Slits. Datblygu (which is Welsh for development) held that to its very core for its entire existence. Started with two (David R Edwards, T. Wyn Davies) then a three with multi-instrumentalist Patricia Morgan joining. Others flitted in and out in various ways until there was just Morgan and Edwards. Throughout these iterations, right up until the sad passing of Edwards in 2021, the soundscapes and identity of Datblygu was forever locked in a sense of perpetual development. A thirst to change. The only real constant was the voice and lyrics of Dave (which I shall now refer to him as as Edwards is far too formal for a man so informal and friendly) and even that, over the last few releases, had begun to shift, with Pat taking on more vocals, something Dave was always supportive of.
When Dave left us in 2021 it was remarkable to see the outpouring of tributes and personal stories about the man. Friends, musicians, comedians, pub regulars, and town casuals all had their own tales however, throughout all of these ran a consistent thread about how Dave was not only a man of immense warmth and good humour, but a man with a fierce intelligence whose words and attitudes ranked him as one of the finest artists Wales has ever produced. It would be easy to fall into the “tortured artist” trap and whilst Dave’s illnesses were well documented, it is important to remember that he was never alone in his life and artistic endeavours, with the most substantial of these being his partnership with Pat. Pat’s gifts as a musician are every bit as important to the legacy of Datblygu as Dave’s lyrics and voice. Pat was never just a “band member”. Pat was co-conspirator, fierce protector and the most loyal of friends. People who knew this understood why Pat started featuring more vocally on albums and celebrated the fact. Dave was forever gushing about his love and admiration for her whether that was in casual conversation over a glass of red or when on official Datblygu duties, chatting to press and amateur writers like yours truly. This means it is only fitting that Pat creates and presents to the world the final Datblygu album.
Tydwaladr Ap App features the last five songs that Dave and Pat were working on before his death, a collection of rare early demos where you hear the already-firing chemistry between the two band members. The album contains forays into Throbbing Gristle-type Kosmische, bedsit post-punk, and emotional lyricism which is entirely fitting with the ethos of history of the band. Hearing Dave’s voice again, on material you are not familiar with, is both emotional and utterly thrilling. From the first “wow” that opens the album, you can picture him, microphone in one hand and roll-up in the other. Smiling and then contorting his face into that serious look when you knew he had something important to say. Dave’s voice is as strong as it ever was which helps to highlight how good he and Pat were when it came to production (special mention must go to Rhys Edwards for the great mixing job and Frank Naughton who has mastered the recordings, giving them a heft and solid framework). This is Datblygu DIY and it is such a joy to be back in their world one last time.
Musically, Pat has created an album that is so uniquely Datblygu. It balances between warmth, depth and a lo-fi scratchiness that always keeps your ears locked in. There’s no ugliness here and the five originals really help showcase how the band’s last few albums have been their most sonically adventurous and bold.
Listening to Tydwaladr Ap App I am reminded of Coil’s The Ape of Naples and not just because both albums were completed and recorded after a founding member had passed. Both collections share a unique balance between what has gone before and what could have been next. Both albums are haunted and uplifted by the spirit of the person not there at the time of completion. Both albums also serve as an excellent gateway into the world of the bands as they both contain elements of their entire history, married to their thirst for progression. It would be rather wonderful if younger and older music fans alike discovered Datblygu through this album and decided to dive back through the band’s catalogue.
Datblygu does not leave the stage with a whimper. They leave it still flicking v’s at the establishment, still doing their art and lives on their terms and in their own unique way. They also leave it as one of the core pillars to Welsh culture and Tydwaladr Ap App is their final classic. We were so lucky to have them…
Released through Recordiau Nawr: Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook
Review by Simon Tucker
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