Mared’s ‘Y Drefn’ wins Welsh Language Album of the Year Award

The debut album by singer-songwriter Mared has been announced as the winner of this year’s Welsh Language Album Award.

Described as an intricate interweaving of folk, pop and jazz influences, ‘Y Drefn’ (The Order) was selected from a shortlist of ten albums.

The announcement was made by Siân Eleri and Ifan Davies as part of Radio Cymru’s coverage of Eisteddfod AmGen 2021, this year’s virtual esisteddfod event.

Speaking after the announcement, Mared said: “My heart is full! Thank you so much for making my year a thousand times better.

“This album means the world to me and getting this response has been so special.”

Trophy

Mared Williams, who’s from Llannefydd, Conwy, receives a special Albwm Cymraeg y Flwyddyn 2021 trophy that’s made from the cog of an old JCB that was last used at the Bro Madog Eisteddfod in 1987.

Branwen Haf Williams of the album’s label, I KA CHING Records, said: “Mared Williams is the most genuinely talented, fantastically productive and industrious musician I’ve come across.

“She deserves all the attention and success, and this important prize is worthy recognition of her work and of her standing as one of the real stars of the Welsh language music scene.”

The ten shortlisted albums this year were:

• Carw – Maske
• Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 – Mas
• Cwtsh – Gyda’n Gilydd
• Datblygu – Cwm Gwagle
• Elfed Saunders Jones – Gadewaist
• Jac Da Trippa – Kim Hong Chon
• Mared – Y Drefn
• Mr – Feiral
• Mr Phormula – Tiwns
• Tomos Williams – Cwmwl Tystion

‘Y Drefn’ is officially released on August 21st.