In an exclusive and revealing conversation, Gruff Rhys, the iconic frontman of Welsh psychedelic pioneers Super Furry Animals, reflects on the band's unexpected return to the spotlight and their powerful new album, 'Sadness Sets Me Free'.
The Unplanned Comeback
After years focusing on solo projects, the beloved band found themselves drawn back together, not through meticulous planning, but through a series of spontaneous creative impulses. "We never officially split up," Rhys explains, "but we'd reached a point where we were all doing different things. The return happened very organically."
Finding Light in 'Dim Prob'
The Welsh phrase 'dim prob' - meaning 'no problem' - has become something of a personal mantra for Rhys, though he approaches it with characteristic wit. "I'm trying to adopt a 'dim prob' attitude to life's endless admin and technological hurdles," he shares, acknowledging the challenge of maintaining this philosophy in our increasingly complex digital world.
A Return to Raw Energy
Their new material marks a conscious shift from the electronic experimentation of their later work toward the raw, guitar-driven sound that first defined them. "There was a conscious effort to make a record that was quite direct and raw-sounding," Rhys notes, describing the album's creation during intensive sessions in Cardiff and Portugal.
The Creative Process Reborn
The band's approach to songwriting has evolved significantly since their 1990s heyday. Where once they might have laboured for months over complex arrangements, they now embrace spontaneity and first takes, capturing the immediate energy of performance.
Looking Forward Without Forgetting the Past
While excited about their comeback, Rhys remains thoughtfully critical of nostalgia culture. "I'm wary of bands that become tribute acts to themselves," he states, emphasising their commitment to creating new work rather than simply revisiting past glories.
As Super Furry Animals prepare to bring their unique blend of psychedelic rock and Welsh sensibility to audiences once more, Rhys's perspective feels both timely and timeless - a reminder that even in challenging eras, creativity finds a way to flourish.
