Tom Jenkins - When The Coal Dust Settled (2025) Hi-Res

Whilst working as a contract sheep shearer across the hill farms of Wales, Tom Jenkins wrote poems inspired by the stories of his fellow workers and the harsh realities of Wales’ industrial and agricultural heritage. Mixing English and Welsh languages, Jenkins has crafted these poems into the collection of 10 songs that make up “When The Coal Dust Settled”.

‘Wrth I’r llwch go setlo’ kicks off the album with a delicate acoustic arrangement mixing samples of miners’ wives recalling the dark truths about working in the mines with Jenkins’ lilting voice singing the album’s title track in Welsh. Jenkin’s lyricism stands out in the anthemic, upbeat “Built these towns on the crumbs of a breadline” is a sweeping, angry song about the exploitation of mine workers at the hands of the mine owners. Similarly, ‘In the Valley’ throws a sobering spotlight on a post-industrial landscape as Jenkins turns his attention to the crumbling hopes of his peers as they escape through substance abuse and addiction. Here, Jenkins’ knack for a strong melody and reverberating chorus come to the fore; it is easy to imagine “some places don’t see light in the valley…history can’t be left behind only carried” being sung out by a swaying crowd. Mining themes thread through the whole album. In the poignant ‘When the coal dust settled’, Jenkins recalls his family history and the back-breaking work of the mines and of the hill farm which he now runs. ‘Glyndwr Griffiths’ is a high point on this outstanding album. A beautiful ode to the artist’s Grandfather and his coal-dust-inflicted lung disease. Family, the mines and farms are clearly deeply personal subjects, and Jenkins avoids mawkish nostalgia and sentimentality with clever lyrics and a soaring, powerful chorus enhanced with layered backing vocals. The fading refrain of “Take me down to the raging river, drown my bones and make me shiver Screaming out, this land forever.” gradually winds down the final track ‘A Valleys Charm And A Wild Horse’ and is a perfect end to this wonderful album.

Behind Jenkins‘ portrayal of harsh valley life is a deep sense of love for his community and the land; he expresses hope and a celebration of the spirit that can keep a community together despite the hardships that may come its way. This is an album that reflects that hope; dripping with upbeat tunes, driving rhythms and sing-out choruses Jenkins handles often bleak subject matter with dignity and empathy.