Catherine Elms’ debut full-length album, Bring in the Wild, released in 2025, is a bold, introspective masterpiece that cements the Welsh singer-songwriter as a singular voice in the alt-rock and indie-folk scene. Drawing heavily on Jungian psychology and the concept of shadow work, this eight-track journey is a raw, unflinching exploration of the self—its darkness, its desires, and its untamed beauty. Produced with lush, cinematic flair, the album is both a personal reckoning and a universal call to embrace the messier parts of human nature.
From the opening chords of the title track, Bring in the Wild sets a tone of haunting intensity. Elms’ signature piano-driven melodies, reminiscent of Tori Amos and Kate Bush, are layered with sweeping strings, pulsating rhythms, and subtle electronic textures that give the album a mythic, almost otherworldly quality. Her vocals are the heart of the record, shifting effortlessly between vulnerable whispers and commanding crescendos. Tracks like “Medusa” and “Brutal Heart” showcase her ability to balance ferocity and fragility, with lyrics that cut deep—lines like “I think I’m poison” from “Brutal Heart” linger long after the song fades.
Thematically, the album dives into the Jungian concept of the shadow, urging listeners to confront suppressed emotions—anger, shame, desire—as teachers rather than enemies. Songs like “Bring in the Wild” and “Medusa” are anthems of empowerment, reframing societal outcasts (like the mythical Medusa) as symbols of strength. Meanwhile, slower tracks like “You Are Enough” offer tender moments of self-acceptance, grounding the album’s heavier themes in hope.
Elms’ Welsh roots infuse the record with a foggy, elemental atmosphere, evoking windswept moors and stormy seas, which ties beautifully to the album’s wild, untamed ethos. Production-wise, Bring in the Wild is a triumph. The collaboration with producer James Morgan brings a polished yet organic sound, with each instrument given space to breathe. The dynamic range—from the quiet, confessional verses of “You Are Enough” to the chaotic, almost primal energy of “Medusa”—keeps the listener engaged, mirroring the emotional turbulence of the lyrics.
The album’s pacing is deliberate, with each track building on the last to create a cohesive narrative arc. Standouts include the title track, a brooding call to embrace one’s inner chaos, and “Brutal Heart,” a gut-punch of raw honesty that’s already a fan favourite. The only potential critique is that the album’s intensity can feel unrelenting at times, with fewer lighter moments to break the tension. However, this density feels intentional, mirroring the weight of the shadow work Elms is exploring. Compared to her earlier EP releases, Bring in the Wild feels like a quantum leap in ambition and execution. It’s a record that demands active listening, rewarding those who dive into its lyrical and emotional depths.
For fans of Fiona Apple, Florence + The Machine, or PJ Harvey, this album is a must-listen, offering a distinctly Welsh perspective on universal human struggles.Recommendation: Stream Bring in the Wild on Spotify below or catch Catherine Elms live at her album launch at Porters, Cardiff, on September 5th, 2025. This is an album that doesn’t just play—it transforms.
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