If their previous single ‘Megan Plis’ showed Cyn Cwsg at their most delicate, ‘Mobius’ is the sound of the Welsh quartet throwing caution firmly out the window.
The Cardiff-based band’s latest single is chaotic, energetic and in the best of ways, unruly, trading the softer restraint of their earlier release this summer for jagged guitars and heavy drums.
There’s something immediately familiar about it too. The confidence of the track, specifically the vocal hooks, accompanied with indie rock guitar carries echoes of what is often referred to as the Cool Cymru era of the 90s and early 2000s – a spinoff from the Britpop fuelled Cool Britannia movement.
‘Mobius’ shows an allegiance to the sounds and off kilter lyrics of the Super Furry Animals and Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci but it does so in a way that doesn’t feel like a complete nostalgia exercise.
Produced by Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard frontman Tom Rees, whose production credits also include The Bug Club and Panic Shack, his own style of indie-rock music that almost bursts with excitement is definitely stamped on the track.
‘Mobius’ takes its name from the mathematical shape with only one side and edge, and while referenced indirectly in the lyrics, there’s also a fitting sense of circular chaos to this single. Ideas seem to chase each other around, building towards a final burst of mayhem as spiky guitars and punchy drums reach a triumphant finish.
Speaking on the track, the band described it as “A juxtaposition of the mind and something too complex to comprehend (a bit like your brain). A concept of projectile madness echoed through guitar tones and mental drumming. Also just a song about the möbius strip.”
‘Mobius’ is one of those tracks that leaves you with the slightly frustrating feeling of wanting to hear it live. It has that restless energy but also infectious optimism that almost certainly demands a crowd.
