Outside of Super Furry Animals, Gruff Rhys has made albums about miniature toiletries (third solo LP Hotel Shampoo), a North Korean volcano (2021’s Seeking New Gods), 1980s car designer John DeLorean (Neon Neon’s Stainless Steel) and 18th Century explorer John Evans (American Interiors). Rhys’ 25th album in total, Sadness Sets Me Free dials down the conceptual shenanigans in favour of what the singer describes as “euphoric melancholy,” sugar-coating lyrics about breakups, depression, ruined friendships and political corruption in what might be his best set of songs since SFA’s Phantom Power, or possibly ever. The likes of “Bad Friend”’s nimble chamber pop, the ELO-like “Celestial Candyfloss” and “Cover Up The Cover Up,” which masks its sedition underneath a gorgeous slow-moving sweep, all deliver spiritual succour from the torpor.