Days Like Now

Released on 21 July 2023, Days Like Now sees Huw Marc Bennett refine a sound that feels both rooted and quietly exploratory. Built from a palette of jazz, folk, soul and dub, the record unfolds with an ease that belies its depth, moving gently between styles without ever losing its sense of identity.

Bennett handles the majority of the instrumentation himself, and that cohesion is immediately apparent. The arrangements feel lived in rather than constructed, guided by instinct and shaped by a clear, personal vision. There is a warmth to the production that runs throughout, aided by Adam Scrimshire’s mixing and mastering, giving each track a soft, organic glow.

The album opens with Golau Hardd, a piece that sets the tone with understated confidence. From there, Pinc Sunset introduces a more rhythmic pulse, its groove sitting comfortably alongside the album’s more reflective moments. Vocals from Angela Christofilou and Cleo Savva on Pinc Sunset, Y Cariad Cyntaf and Red Valley add a lightness to the record, drifting in and out without overpowering the instrumentation.

There is a strong sense of place woven through the tracklist. Ffarwel i Langyfelach Lon and Y Gwydd feel particularly evocative, their melodies carrying a quiet emotional weight. Iolo and Red Valley open the album out further, bringing in subtle shifts in rhythm and texture that keep the record moving without disrupting its flow.

What makes Days Like Now so compelling is its restraint. Bennett does not push for grand gestures. Instead, he allows each idea to develop naturally, creating a listening experience that feels calm, considered and deeply human.

It is an album that invites you in slowly. Spend time with it, and its details begin to surface, small moments of melody and rhythm that linger long after the record ends. Subtle, assured and quietly beautiful, Days Like Now settles into its space with confidence.