Cardiff-based singer songwriter Ivan Moult recently released his most deeply personal offering yet, in the form of Stood Out In The Storm, released via Bubblewrap Collective. Following the warmth and intricate songwriting of the acclaimed Songs From Severn Grove (2023), this new album takes a significant, vulnerable step, following a personal crisis (more below). The record traverses an honest exploration of darkness, light, despair, and resilience, cementing his reputation as one of Wales’ most compelling contemporary voices. At its core remains Moult’s signature sound—a seamless blend of 1960s/70s folk and blues, recalling influences like John Martyn and Ry Cooder, but Stood Out In The Storm expands this familiar intimacy with a greater presence of guitars and organs, lending new depth and urgency to the soundscape. Like its predecessor, the album was written, played, recorded, and mixed entirely by Moult in his Cardiff home studio, serving as a powerful companion piece to his earlier work.
Enjoy Ivan’s Track-by-Track to his new album below, and don’t miss his full-band album launch on 28th November at Cardiff’s Canton Liberal Club with The Gentle Good.
Track-by-Track: Stood Out In The Storm
It’s about how it feels to be me over the last two years. So if anyone wanted a musical insight into the mind of a stressed-out family man who has a complete breakdown but then recovers, thanks to the NHS and his wonderful family and friends. This is it.
Stream the album: https://orcd.co/stoodoutinthestorm
Order (Digital/Vinyl/CD): https://ivanmoult.bandcamp.com/album/stood-out-in-the-storm
Side A
1. No More Lies
Written late on it’s a guitar-led song, I wrote the melody on a new guitar, a Les Paul (studio) I’d bought that I’d always wanted. Lyrically, it explores honesty in a relationship and how it can save fraught situations.
2. I Should Have Asked Your Name
About instant attraction and the feeling of chance in love. A lot of fun with harmony guitar solos. Something I’ve loved always in records, think sort of Thin Lizzy, Santana. Jazzy chords too as far as my playing goes, at least!
3. Stood Out In The Storm
At one stage, this was going to be the album opener. I got caught up making a world in the production side of things, and it is probably the longest song I’ve recorded. Perhaps about throwing yourself out into the elements to wake up in some ways. It was literal, but after I had a breakdown, it took on a new meaning!
4. Everywhere I’m Searching
This was written earlier on, and looking back at the lyrics, I can see I was depressed and trying to remember the places and times I’d felt happy. A bit mournful, I suppose. Sound-wise, it is very heavily influenced by John Martyn’s Solid Air, as soon as I added the vibraphone keys particularly. It’s an homage, I love JM.
Side B
5. Losing It All To The Blues
On the perspective gained from fatherhood? It has some angst, but also hope and encouragement in it. We are not our parents, and our children won’t be us either. They’ll be themselves if we get it right. Bluesy folk influences in there, and I enjoyed noodling about on the keys with this. Love my parents, not a dig, I swear. That isn’t cool.
6. What Have We Done
I was happy with the production I got on this one. I had fun building the dynamics and tried to go full on with the changes I managed to get in. Perhaps the most contemporary-sounding track on the record, whatever that means (more guitars). About muddling through in a way in life and needing some luck to get by.
7. Did You Think That I Was Lost
About putting things back together after. Asking questions and trying to understand how it felt for those about you. Took a long time to get it right in all senses, but I ended up using stuff from the first takes months later. Enjoyed finding the octave guitar riffs to fit the bridge.
8. What If
Quite an old one to finish. Starts with money worries. Dreams of winning the lottery. Critique of modern life = is rubbish, etc., but then realising you’ve got it pretty good. Perspective is a help. Loved the drum sound I got on it. Ended up chopping it about in the mix. Looped guitars and bvs. A dreamy end to the record, I thought.
Order the album: https://ivanmoult.bandcamp.com/album/stood-out-in-the-storm
Website: https://ivanmoult.com/
Full Band Album Launch + The Gentle Good
28th November: CARDIFF: Canton Liberal Club
Tickets: https://wegottickets.com/event/677356