Album Review: Cwfen – Sorrows (New Heavy Sounds)

Glasgow’s rising doomgaze band, Cwfen (pronounced ‘Coven’), will release their hugely anticipated debut album ‘Sorrows’ on 30th May via New Heavy Sounds.

I know when words like ‘hugely anticipated’ are used it can sound like hyperbole, and sometimes it is, but sometimes it sums up both a personal and a general feeling about the release of a record. This is the case here, where I, and many others, are beyond excited to hear it. All thanks to a slew of mighty singles that have showcased a thrilling sound that is part doom, part post-punk, part gaze, and twisted by gothic imagination.

Unsurprisingly, hearing these songs in context, alongside unheard efforts, and with deeper atmosphere, proves to be an unforgettable experience. Cwfen have nailed it and in doing so, confirmed themselves as one of the most exciting new bands within the UK scene.

The first of three Fragments begins the album off in haunting fashion. There’s a burgeoning sense of danger coming from it, and even though it’s only 35-seconds long, it leaves an impression. It is just an intro though and with Bodies the true brilliance of Cwfen is displayed. A dark and doom infused gothic nightmare of a track that showcases the influence this band has and how much texture there is to their sound. Instruments and vocals combining to create something that really gets under the skin. It, and the following Wolfsbane, might have been out there for a little while already, but their power hasn’t been diminished in the slightest by multiple listens, in fact, it’s been enhanced.

Another great example of this is Reliks, the debut single from the band, which sounds more vibrant than ever. The retro gothic post-punk vibes blended with dark melodies and given heavy injections of doom throughout is as tremendously addictive as it was when first heard in November 2024. I don’t want to say that it’s Cwfen at their best (even with the unusual atmospheric touches), but it’s mighty close.

Whispers is next and with it comes a more dramatic sound, thick with hazy atmosphere, and layered with deep rivets of doom, while having an overall goth rock-inspired sound. It’s stunning, especially because of the vocals, but also because of how it gets darker and heavier as it goes on. It is wonderfully complimented by Penance, which takes on a more ethereal form, raw and somewhat horrifying in places, with some psychedelic vibes infused too. No matter the direction Cwfen go in, they deliver something so special, and that’s before I mention that fact that we get Fragment II and Fragment III around these tracks. Both unusual, both disconcerting, and both adding more weight to the overall feeling of gloom that exists here.

Where gothic grandeur meets doomy intensity, slathered with a sinisterness that is effortlessly beguiling, that is where you will find Cwfen, and even as the album reaches its conclusion, they will have all listeners utterly enamoured. Embers is a song you sink into, even as it gets more and more turbulent. Whereas Rite creates moments of ease with moments of chaos, back and forth, perfectly balanced, and delivered in succinct fashion. Guess what? They’re both incredible.

This is an album that will haunt your dreams for weeks and months after hearing it, yet you’ll gleefully experience it time and time again. Cwfen have arrived, and no amount of doomy gothic gloom can hide their bright brilliance.

Cwfen – Sorrows Track Listing:

1. Fragment I
2. Bodies
3. Wolfsbane
4. Reliks
5. Whispers
6. Fragment II
7. Penance
8. Fragment III
9. Embers
10. Rite

Links

LinkTree | Bandcamp | Instagram