Bitw – Gaddo Glaw (2026)
An entirely DIY artist, singer-songwriter Bitw (also known as Gruff ab Arwel) crafts music that “takes itself seriously without taking himself too seriously”. He has been described by others as creating “lo-fi art pop”, and his music has a free-falling sensation of accepting reality without any expectations. This is my introduction to the North Wales musician, so I had no idea what to expect. Join me as we hit the button on Bitw’s most recent single, ‘Gaddo Glaw’.
The first single in three years, following his 20213 album Rehearse, ‘Gaddo Glaw’ is not a song to be heard, but to be experienced. I would place ‘Gaddo Glaw’ in the indie-pop region, with a stronger rock flavour bristling beneath the steady drums, bold bass, and dynamic guitar. Rhythmic and mellifluous, listening to the song is like stepping out of reality to Bitw’s sonic field filled with soft breezes and hay bales. Yet, amidst this peaceful landscape, synths brush over the fields, pierced by a looming slip of stuttering sound.
Melodically, ‘Gaddo Glaw’ exudes contentment and comfort, even with the distorted synths. While the song itself is intriguing, it is Bitw’s whispered vocals that capture my attention. Not overwhelming or forceful, but a delicate whisper floating in the breeze, his rich baritone guides you through the sonic field like an old friend. Moreover, being an entirely Welsh-language song adds some mystique to its winning presence.
Taken from Bitw’s upcoming album of the same name, ‘Gaddo Glaw’ might be a warm single – at least, for me – but its lyricism and theme add a full-bodied weightiness. From an album that is “bleak in subject matter yet full of warmth… confronting geopolitical conflict, the climate crisis and the general feeling that things are falling apart…”, ‘Gaddo Glaw’ is an introduction to this bleak worldview but with a comforting outer appearance.
So, what is my overall opinion of Bitw and ‘Gaddo Glaw’? The song has been described as having “stuttering rhythms never settling and… an almost resigned tone”; I choose to disagree. Within its morbid reverie, I find an intriguing calm that is highly recommended.
In addition to the single, Bitw released an official music video for ‘Gaddo Glaw’. You can view the video below and/or on his YouTube channel.
Find out more about Bitw on his Instagram, BlueSky, Bandcamp, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was sent to us by Beast PR.
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