Walk Through Fire
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CRITIC REVIEWS
90
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
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
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
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
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
For far too much of the album, the pace is almost at a standstill, and the end result is uninspired and soporific.
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
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
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
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
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
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Track List
| 1 | Faraway Look 3:10 | |
| 2 | Shady Grove 2:43 | |
| 3 | Ride Out in the Country 3:15 | |
| 4 | It Ain't Easier 4:24 | |
| 5 | Walk Through Fire 3:48 | |
| 6 | Rock Me Gently 3:30 | |
| 7 | Love All Night (Work All Day) 3:33 | |
| 8 | Deep Blue Dream 2:13 | |
| 9 | Lonely the Night 4:43 | |
| 10 | Still Gone 2:59 | |
| 11 | Keep Me Here 3:40 | |
| 12 | Love Is Light 3:16 |
Total Length: 41 minutes
Year End Lists
| #6 | / | Associated Press |
| #33 | / | PopMatters |
| #48 | / | Rolling Stone |
| / | American Songwriter | |
| / | Glide | |
| / | Slate |
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Added on: November 29, 2018