- Genre: 'Pop'
- Release Date: '25th September 2025'
Our Rating:
Sometimes, more than others, context matters, and when it comes to Ani Glass’ new album, ‘Phantasmagoria’, it matters considerably, as the album was, we learn, shaped by her journey following the diagnosis of a rare benign brain tumour in 2020.
Despite what has the potential to delve into dark places, ‘Phantasmagoria’ is very much a pop album in its nature. That isn’t to say there aren’t darker moments, but from the offset, with the first track and recent single cut ‘Acwariwm’, Glass takes us into dreamy territory. Her voice is soft, easy on the ear, but the pairing of a sold bass and drum give the song some solidity. There’s a simplicity to synth-pop cuts like ‘Arnofio’ which harks back to the 80s, and the production and mix only accentuate this. Naïve isn’t the word, but it’s close when it comes to the lack of pretence, the airiness, the joi de vivre which permeates every bar of this trilingual pop gem, with lyrics in Cymraeg (Welsh), Kernewek (Cornish) and English (and laudably, her live performances also incorporate some British Sign Language).
The beauty of ‘Phantasmagoria’ is that while the lyrics clearly are of consequence, comprehension – or lack of – is no barrier to its enjoyment. There are places where Glass’ voice is layered and multitracked to near chorus levels, and the listener is lifted up by this glorious swell.
‘Now You Know’ goes darker, harder, a distorted crunk of a snare drum that borders on industrial, and there are dark undercurrents which bubble around both ‘O’r Diwedd’ and the folk-influenced ‘Rhwng Yr Ynsoedd’, which carries hints of Enya
With ‘Phantasmagoria’, often quite simple arrangements are elevated by the vocals – particularly when they’re multiplied and there are layers and harmonies – Ani Glass has created a captivating work, which transcends language and is a simply joyous and life-affirming experience.
