Welsh folk musician Mari Mathias has unveiled her latest single, 'Y Morgen', through her own label Recordiau TARIAN Records. The track, inspired by Welsh folklore and coastal landscapes, comes with a music video and previews her forthcoming album later this year. Mathias discusses the song's personal roots in myth, memory, and family stories in a recent interview.
Mari Mathias, a Welsh folk artist and finalist in the 2023 Green Man Rising Star competition, released her new single 'Y Morgen' this week via her independent label, Recordiau TARIAN Records. Accompanied by a YouTube music video, the song draws on Welsh folklore, evoking the imagery of the sea and the emotional ties to west Wales' landscapes. It explores themes of inherited memory, nature, and storytelling, central to Mathias' contemporary folk style.
In an interview with Nation.Cymru, Mathias shared that 'Y Morgen'—meaning 'the mermaid' or sea spirit—holds deep personal significance. "‘Y Morgen’ feels very personal to me, coming from myth and folklore. It sits somewhere between story and memory," she said. "It connects me to the sea, to the landscapes I grew up around, and to the people who passed those stories down to me." The track originated from a coastal walk in Ceredigion near Llangrannog, where a hazy sighting at sea sparked reflections on sailors' tales and family lore from her great-grandfather Idris Mathias and father Gwion Mathias.
Developed over three years with her band and recorded in February 2025 near the Preseli Hills, the song evolved to include spoken-word elements for a fireside storytelling feel. Influences include artists like The Breath, Clannad, Fairport Convention, and Jeff Buckley, who expand traditional folk structures. The music video captures a dreamlike day in the Preselis and along the coast, emphasizing humanity's bond with nature.
Releasing independently allows Mathias greater control: "It means a lot... I can let things grow naturally, trust my instincts, and release something when it genuinely feels ready." 'Y Morgen' fits into her upcoming album, due later in 2026, which blends original folk-contemporary tracks with traditional songs, evoking a journey through elements and places, available on streaming, vinyl, and CD. The release aligns with a resurgent Celtic folk movement, showcasing Welsh heritage and language.