Walk Through Fire

Yola - Walk Through Fire
Critic Score
Based on 8 reviews
2019 Ratings: #399 / 802
User Score
Based on 110 ratings
2019 Ratings: #203
Liked by 16 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

90
American Songwriter

Its combustive combination of talent, songwriting and sympathetic yet bold production makes Yola’s release one of the finest soul/country fusions in recent memory.

90
PopMatters

The album includes a retro, vintage quality in its sonic range, sounding as though it was recorded decades ago and went unreleased to great loss ... It captures you immediately.

80
AllMusic
An extraordinary record, one designed to be part of a grand musical tradition, and it contains enough emotion and imagination to earn its place within that lineage.
70
Slant Magazine
Yola seems capable of not only expertly mimicking the sounds of the past, but also creating something that will itself stand the test of time.
60
The Observer

It’s a perfect period production that only occasionally tempts the listener to wonder how much more affecting Yola’s songs might be if she turned her attention from “whip-poor-wills” and “the grocery store” to landscapes closer to home.

50
Spill Magazine
For far too much of the album, the pace is almost at a standstill, and the end result is uninspired and soporific.
Toasterqueen12
93

Last review of the decade/year and all that. I suppose I should have written this sprawling goodbye for the year, but honestly, I just don't have it in me. The 2010s meant a whole lot to me, as a person. As I'm sure it did for a lot of us. But at the end of the day, I'm still alive. We all are. Idk, weepy sentamental goodbyes to idea such as time isn't something I'm good at. I'd much rather march into 2020 with my head held high.

Yola I feel, is a great soundtrack to that. It's very easy to ... read more

PinkFloyd73
100

I don't listen to Country that much as a genre, but this is most certainly an exception. Yola's debut album "Walk Through Fire" is a masterpiece. I gave it a perfect score because it's soulful and enjoyable all throughout, and you don't get a lot of albums like this nowadays. Throughout 12 tracks (14 in the deluxe edition), Yola's angelic voice surrounds this entire album, and it's incredible. The instrumentals, vocals, and the choruses are absolutely magnificent, and I'm surprised ... read more

musicmagpie55
51

The best part of Yola's debut is her gorgeous vocal performance. Her robust and husky alto is refreshingly confident and strong. She sounds perfect for the type of throwback album, and the entire LP is perfectly listenable from start to finish. I think Walk Through Fire shines when Yola's vocal talent is met with equally interesting melodies and production. The opening song captures the potential of the record. 'Faraway Look' has a jubilant chorus that shows off Yola's beautiful voice. While ... read more

PinkFloyd73
100

I don't listen to Country that much as a genre, but this is most certainly an exception. Yola's debut album "Walk Through Fire" is a masterpiece. I gave it a perfect score because it's soulful and enjoyable all throughout, and you don't get a lot of albums like this nowadays. Throughout 12 tracks (14 in the deluxe edition), Yola's angelic voice surrounds this entire album, and it's incredible. The instrumentals, vocals, and the choruses are absolutely magnificent, and I'm surprised ... read more

Hayden7575
80

Venturing backwards into Yola’s discography further cements her as one the greatest vocalists I’ve ever heard. Her beautiful, soulful passages are simply unbelievable, and are backed by an instrumental blend of country and soul sounds. This songwriting balance suits her well, although more often than not it leans more heavily into the former, while her vocals provide the latter.

The best compositions are those with just enough twang to suit that country aesthetic, but still lush ... read more

blurbaby
90

this is so pretty and satisfying to listen to never go nashville

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Added on: November 29, 2018