Jessica Neal 
Bitw brings a personal and interesting touch to “Hen Dro”, a lo-fi art pop single about a relationship that appears to be heading towards its end. The track features Welsh musician Gruff ab Arwel alongside longtime collaborator Chwaer Fawr, also known as Mari Morgan, who joins him for a duet. Their voices work nicely together, giving the song a warm and intimate quality that makes it an enjoyable listen.
At first, “Hen Dro” comes across as a fairly familiar pop song about a relationship that is no longer working. However, there is more going on beneath the surface, especially when you listen to it in the context of Bitw’s album “Gaddo Glaw”. Some of the lyrics take on a darker meaning, connecting the personal story to the wider uncertainty explored across the record. It is an interesting way to approach a subject that many listeners can relate to.
“Gaddo Glaw” is Bitw’s first release made entirely in Welsh, and it takes on some difficult subjects, including geopolitical conflict, the climate crisis and the general feeling that things around us are falling apart. Despite these serious topics, the music keeps a sense of warmth and accessibility. Bitw finds room for love and human connection in a world that can often seem difficult to understand.
I really enjoy how “Hen Dro” manages to present a relationship story in a simple pop format while leaving room for a deeper interpretation. I also appreciate the collaboration with Mari Morgan, as her vocals give the track a different character and make the duet an important part of the listening experience.
There is also something appealing about Bitw’s independent approach to making music. Gruff ab Arwel has built the project around a DIY attitude, and “Gaddo Glaw” is described as his most homemade and cost-effective work so far, recorded almost entirely on his own with a borrowed Portastudio. That background adds an extra personal touch to the release and gives you a better idea of the artist behind the music.
“Hen Dro” is a lovely introduction to Bitw’s latest work, offering an accessible pop song with more depth waiting to be discovered. If you enjoy discovering independent artists who bring their own personality and ideas to their music, I think this one is worth your time. Make sure to follow Bitw on Instagram to keep up with his latest music and future releases, and add “Hen Dro” to your playlist if you enjoy the track. It is also worth checking out “Gaddo Glaw” for a fuller picture of the world behind this single.
