ALBUM NOTES

“Diolch” — thank you for buying this album!

I started learning Welsh in 2022, and ‘Ffoadur’ is the latest step on my journey.

The title, which means “refugee” in English, captures how I feel these days — that is, like a stranger in my own country. I live in America, so it’s no surprise where the album’s inspiration came from, nor the sarcasm of some of the songs! There are also autobiographical elements about life, loss of family and friends, introspection, and the future. We’re certainly living in strange times.

The songs on ‘Ffoadur’ explore alienation in various forms. While ‘Y Celwydd Mawr’ (The Big Lie), ‘Mistar Neb’ (Mister Nobody), and ‘Americanwr Balch [Acwstig]’ (Proud American [Acoustic]) are full of social commentary, that’s only half the story. Songs like ‘Yn Fy Mreuddwyd’ (In My Dream), ‘Cerdded i Ffwrdd’ (Walking Away), and ‘Yr Un Hen Fi’ (The Same Old Me) deal with loneliness, hope, uncertainty, and ultimately acceptance. This polarization between darkness and light feels like the landmark of our age. Do you feel it, too?

See below for song notes, selected lyric translations, and full credits.

Thanx for listening!

-Pawlie.

SONG NOTES

Yn Fy Mreuddwyd (In My Dream)

Some of my earliest memories are of standing at the fence in our back yard in England, maybe five or six years old, trying to make friends with the kids playing next door. Maintaining friendships remains a challenge to this day. The verses talk about growing up, looking for one’s tribe of like-minded people, and following one’s own path in a world full of expectations and norms.

“What’s happening? / I’m here, but where am I? / Can you see me, help me? / In my dream / Where the pieces all fit / In my dream / Is it only only in my head? / In my dream / Will you ever find me? / In my dream…”

Y Celwydd Mawr (The Big Lie)

A song about the ongoing war against the truth in the so-called Land of the Free:

Here in the “billionaires’ playground” all you have to do to become a so-called leader is give the public someone to blame and fake it till you make it. Keep the population divided, double-down on every lie, and you’re good! So much for the American Dream. Meanwhile we’re told to shut up, settle down, or be marginalized. Divisive rhetoric, blaming immigrants, spreading fear, building walls — it’s the same old story. The Big Lie.

“Here in the billionaire’s corrupt playground / There’s always a list of immigrants for us to hate / Any fool can make it / You just have to fake it / Things are crazy here in the so-called Land of the Free / But no problem, mate / Everything’s fine — in The Big Lie…”

Pilipalod (Butterflies)

A duet with Welsh singer-songwriter Mei Emrys.

The verses talk about commercialism, materialism, war, and corrupt governments, while the choruses shift to an alternate reality of peace and joy. The butterfly reference is a tip of the hat to some inspirational friends who — despite everything — bring hope and positivity into our world.

“If I could, I would bring you butterflies / Aloft in endless clear blue skies...”

Dyn Bach Gwyrdd (Little Green Man)

A conversation with Osiris, an alien visiting from another planet.

“Osiris, nice to meet you here under the stars / I’d love to bend your ear / Thanks for listening / Here on this planet you can go crazy / Little green man, I’m in a strange land / The world’s gone upside-down / Reason is the new insane...”

Mistar Neb (Mister Nobody)

This one aims directly at you-know-who.

“Tweeting like a little child / Always talking nonsense — meet Mister Nobody / Greedy for more and more / Certain that he makes the world turn / Nothing there but a sack of air — that’s Mister Nobody / You want to start a war in your spare time / Build fancy condos in Gaza / Divide up the world with your friends / You tell lies to incite violence / Then expect the Nobel Peace Prize / I’m choking on the freedom fries...”

“It can’t get worse / In the war against truth / There’s nothing left / Here in the worst-case scenario...”

Americanwr Balch [Acwstig] (Proud American [Acoustic])

A re-imagining of the opening track on ‘An Ape’s Progress’ (2021) and the Welsh-language single that followed in 2024, this all-new version is in 3/4 time featuring acoustic guitar, voice, and a string quartet. The extraordinary string arrangment was created by Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. (Jellyfish, Beck), and recorded in LA during what can only be described as one of the most amazing musical experiences of my life.

Still relevant after all these years, the song is a sarcastic “piss-take” against American exceptionalism and all that goes with it in gaslighting a nation. The chorus sums it up:

“I’m a proud American / I believe what they teach me on the news / Proud American / Short attention span is my excuse / I’m better than you — ‘cause I’m an American…”

Cerdded i Ffwrdd (Walking Away)

A song about childhood, young adulthood, and now middle age. It’s about looking back and realizing how much the world around me — as well as my own perspectives and attitudes — have changed over the last 50+ years. Then, wondering where to go from here.

“There’s a time when it’s right / To stand and fight / And a time for walking away...”

Yr Un Hen Fi (The Same Old Me)

The closing track, and ultimately a song of peace and acceptance.

“Same old me, same old story / Something’s wrong here under the stars / Shave my head, shed my lonely skin / Where’s my tribe, where do I begin? / I can see the blue skies inside my dream / Wake up — it’s the same old me / I used to think I was better than this, that’s what I said / I can make something better exist / But it’s only in my head... or is it? / Same old me, same old story / But here we are — together under the stars...”

PRODUCTION CREDITS

  • Produced by Pawlie, Aled Wyn Hughes, and Thom Flowers

  • Recorded by Aled Wyn Hughes at Stiwdio Sain, Llandwrog, Wales

  • Mixed by Thom Flowers at Hi-Volt Sound, Santa Barbara, California

  • Mastered for digital by Gethin John at Hafod Mastering, Cowbridge, Wales

  • Mastered for vinyl by Jason Mitchell at LOUD Mastering, Taunton, England

  • String arrangement (6) by Roger Joseph Manning, Jr.

  • String quartet (6) recorded by Ken Sluiter at 64 Sound, Los Angeles

  • Additional recording in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles

  • All songs written by Pawlie

  • © 2025 Mr. Potato Head Music (ASCAP)

  • ℗ 2027 Flying Meatloaf Records

  • Paintings by Sabro Foster

  • In memory of Julie Bryant

PERFORMER CREDITS

  • Pawlie Bryant — Vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, piano, Rhodes, organ, synth, banjo

  • Osian Huw Williams — Drums, background vocals (1,2,5,7)

  • Aled Wyn Hughes — Bass guitar, electric guitar (4,5), Solina (1)

  • Mei Emrys — Vocals (3), electric guitar (3)

  • Euron “Jos” Jones — Pedal steel guitar

  • Will Pound — Harmonica, accordion

  • Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. — Piano (8)

  • Thom Flowers — Electric guitar (3)

  • Libby Patten — Background vocals (8)

  • Angus Cooke — Cello (2,8)

  • Songa Lee — First violin (6)

  • Kathleen Sloan — Second violin (6)

  • Alma Fernandez — Viola (6)

  • Vanessa Freebairn-Smith — Cello (6)

© 2025 Mr. Potato Head Music (ASCAP)
℗ 2027 Flying Meatloaf Records