Bethan Lloyd has been gracing our pages since the beginning of the year, when I discovered the Berlin, Germany-based Welsh artist for this blog through her track Cutting Circuits. It’s a song that, alongside other single releases No Umbilical, Aria and Parasitic Yes, features on her latest album, Metamorphosis.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Stephanie Ballentine

Metamorphosis is an album that thematically goes deep. Bethan has pulled the album together to question the current direction of society, and to make a case for a return of ‘sovereignty and autonomy of the mind and body’. The music is suitably challenging given the thematic depth, and will reward a careful listener.

The album opens with Boss of Big Dreams which hits you instantly with chanting vocals and rumbling notes. It leaves you in no doubt of what’s to come – unique and boundary-pushing spiritual electronica. The aforementioned No Umbilical comes next, providing an early highlight with its rich storytelling and hypnotic vocal delivery.

Antares opens dramatic and hard-hitting with a stripped-back intro before settling into an eerie, industrial groove. Aria and Cutting Circuits sit at the heart of the album, providing a rich blend of pagan chanting, image-laden lyrics and modern electro pop. Parasitic Yes brings with it a psychedelic freakout and expressive vocals. None of The Above is a vibrantly urgent thesis against conformity. It’s another highlight. Whatever We Delete closes the album with a moment of soulful, percussive ecstasy.

Bethan Lloyd is an artist whose sound instantly grabs you, and then never lets you go. As a songwriter and a singer, she’s fearless with her voice and her compositions feel fresh and exciting. With Metamorphosis, she’s cemented herself not only as a personal favourite, but as a one to watch on the UK underground scene.

Metamorphosis was produced by Bethan alongside Isaac Ray. It’s released via Soulpunx Records. You can listen to the whole album below.