New music video from Daddy Drwg

Richard Proctor has spent years making an impact in the music sphere but Daddy Drwg marks his most personal creative venture to date. The Welsh songwriter and producer, whose project name is pronounced “Droog” and translates as “Bad Daddy” in Welsh, brings together experience and uncompromising songwriting in a body of work that frames life’s darker moments. A graduate in Music Technology from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Richard previously performed in internationally touring bands including They Walk Among Us and was one half of The MeMeMes alongside the late Cardiff musician Mel Daley.

Now working largely independently, he’s developed a sonic vision where alternative rock, moody atmospheres and emotionally compelling lyricism collide. Daddy Drwg first arrived in 2024 with the debut single “I’m Your Waste of Time,” introducing listeners to a sound that eschewed comfort in favour of honesty. That release was quickly followed by the debut album A Tree Called Happy, a record that established the project’s bleak yet captivating artistic identity.

Now, that steadfast mission of emotional openness continues on Daddy Drwg’s latest single titled “Black Thread,” a slow-burning anti-ballad that explores endurance, repetition and psychological weight through a series of deliberately open-ended interpretations. The song encourages listeners to find their own experiences within its atmosphere, creating a piece that feels at once profoundly personal while remaining widely relatable. Following the previous single “Wise Guys,” which confronted toxic masculinity, the manosphere and the damaging influence of male celebrity culture, the new release turns towards external pressures and social structures.

Thematically, it examines the struggles people carry quietly, exploring the emotional burdens that can simmer beneath the surface of everyday life. It can be understood as an exploration of depression, the lasting aftermath of a fractured relationship or the gradual onset of illness, with each possibility existing simultaneously within the song, ultimately amplifying its central theme of emotional uncertainty. Mastered by Charlie Francis at Synergy Mastering, who’s worked with R.E.M., Manic Street Preachers and Future of the Left, “Black Thread” casts a spell of downtempo alternative rock that flows with expressive vocals, mellow beats and intricate instrumentation.

Brought in by the soft flicker of warm guitar notes, a melancholic scene flows as Richard’s hushed vocals enter above gentle chords to spin picture painting lyricism via delicate melodies. The intimate soundscape calmly builds with the snap of drums and pulse of synth to form a waltzing rhythmic sway capped by tender vocal performance. Immersive textures and mellow groove combine to deliver a subtly engrossing sound that swells with bright lead guitar layers to deliver an instantly memorable and highly affecting musical experience from start to finish.

Paired with the single, the self-directed music video brings the song to life on screen in cinematic fashion, featuring Richard in various settings from at home to scenic settings. With “Black Thread,” Richard Proctor continues expanding the artistic world first introduced on A Tree Called Happy via a magical musical moment that’s sure to win over new listeners around the world. Through heartfelt performance, enveloping production and poignant songwriting, Daddy Drwg continues to go from strength to strength with each move and we can’t wait to see what he’s got in store next.

Watch the music video for Black Thread below

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