Toby Hay & Aidan Thorne
after a pause
(Cambrian Records)
★★★★

WITH spring edging in with the promise of warmer and brighter days, Toby Hay’s & Aidan Thorne’s first album as a duo seems particularly timely. 

The instrumental set of contemporary folk was recorded over three days in between lockdowns in summer 2021. I’ve long been a huge fan of Radnorshire-based acoustic guitar virtuoso Hay, and it’s a real pleasure to hear him work so well with bassist Thorne, who has recently moved to mid-Wales himself. 

On the pastoral sounds of Bard and She Who Causes Auspicious Things, Thorne’s performance brings to mind the hazy summer vibes of Dave Pegg’s celebrated bass playing on Nick Drake’s Bryter Layter album, while the wonderful Careful and Burden craft a more moody atmosphere.