heddlu – Cut The Rope (2025)
A couple of years ago, in 2022 to be precise, we were introduced to a highly intriguing Welsh musician named Rhodri Daniel, interviewing him about his album Cantref. At that point, Daniel was already an established name in the Welsh music scene as a founding member of the renowned band Estrons; however, after its dissolution in 2019, Daniel embarked on a more intimate journey of self-discovery resulting in his solo project heddlu (pronounced head-lee). His moniker, heddlu, is the Welsh word for police – taken from the words “peace force”, and heddlu’s music is just that; it brings peace to the listener. Join us as we jump into the latest addition to his discography, ‘Cut The Rope’.
Following his well-received singles, ‘Paid Becso Am Dim’ and ‘Wish You Were Her’, ‘Cut The Rope’ appears more complex and intricate than the strong indie-pop tunes. I am by no means saying heddlu’s previous work doesn’t showcase the maturity and sophistication of his composition and production skills; it’s just that ‘Cut The Rope’ seems more detailed, richer, and holds complexity in its melody.
Opening with a soft, sincere sense of an indie ballad, ‘Cut The Rope’ pushes you out onto a glistening sonic river with lights bouncing off its glittering surface. Happy, content, charmed, the elegance of the track is soothing, tranquil and serene… then the penny drops. The tumultuous ripples of water begin with crashing drums and a soaring guitar, then a wave of sound overwhelms you in its crescendo to hard-hitting indie-rock. Interestingly, while the track has a weighty headiness to it, its gradual incline is engrossing with a captivating urgency both chaotic and soothing in its madness.
Melodically, ‘Cut The Rope’ is a trip in itself, brimming with profound depth and heaviness, but it is the theme that contributes to its poignant intimacy. Taken from heddlu’s upcoming album Tramor, ‘Cut The Rope’ is “… a raw, emotional plea by the singer for someone they love to walk away, to save themselves. It’s about recognising your own damage and not wanting to drag someone else down with you.”
Find out more about heddlu on his Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
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