Album Review: SYML, The Day My Father Died

A member of indie band Barcelona, Brian Fennell continues his hot streak with his second album as SYML. While the word might mean “simple” in Welsh, there’s nothing straightforward about his sound as he blends folk, country, gospel, soul and more into a tasty stew.

A cathartic album about knitting yourself back together after being torn apart, The Day My Father Died is every bit the rollercoaster the title suggests. Produced by studio wizard Phil Ek, who worked his magic on records by Fleet Foxes and Band Of Horses, Fennell’s second solo LP sees him grow in confidence as a songsmith.

At 15 tracks the record feels a little bloated, but there’s much to love. ‘Believer’, the Washington-bred artist’s soul-minded hymn to his partner, is a stand-out, as is his gorgeous duet with Sara Watkins, ‘Better Part Of Me.’ Meanwhile, Ek’s musical fingerprints are all over the record, especially the title-track. A buoyant, beautiful offering born from a dark time, lovers of Of Monsters And Men’s ‘Little Talks’ will adore ‘The Day My Father Died’.

Expect it to be played everywhere over the months ahead.

7/10