Ys

Folk is one of the genres that I have always struggled with, though I do have to admit that a large part of my perception towards folk came from limited exposure to only contemporary interpretations of the genre. Consequently, while I was not particularly looking forward to getting into Joanna Newsom’s ‘Ys’, part of me still hoped to come out of this pleasantly surprised.

As the last pluck of harp on ‘Cosmia’ reverberated and dissipated, the word ‘surprised’ could no longer suffice. I was dumbstruck, by Newsom’s vision, ambitions and execution. She had successfully created a world that is simultaneously earthly, yet also extraterrestrial and dream-like. The instrumentation leaps from one key to the next, major to minor, descends then levitates, slows then quickens. The orchestral arrangements of this album, aided by Van Dyke Parks, emanates an unbridled and spontaneous vigour. Newsom’s voice, while understandably an acquired taste, proffers a theatrical quality, and a tinge of inimitable rawness.

The extensive and lush landscape of ‘Ys’ however, centres upon Newsom’s impeccable lyricism as its source of light. Throughout its 55 minute runtime are only 5 tracks, averaging 11 minutes per song, Newsom does not waste even a single second of fleshing out the stories that each individual song describes. “Emily”, a sprawling dedication of love to her astrophysicist sister, “Sawdust & Diamonds” a heartwrenching tragedy that lays bare the before and after of a miscarriage, “Cosmia” details grief over the loss of a dear friend. The other songs, however, are more open to interpretation. “Monkey & Bear” reads as a tale of manipulation and also an anti-capitalist declaration, and “Only Skin” seems to be an amalgamation of all the aforementioned themes into a dense and immense ballad of near-17 minutes. I identify the cryptic lyricism as one of the album’s greatest strengths, it almost gives agency to the listener to take away whatever they desire or need, and with each listen I find new details that I may have missed, that may guide me to see the songs in a new perspective. Perhaps that’s the most magical aspect of the magical land of ‘Ys’.

There’s a difference between a goal and a vision; a goal is reached, but a vision is realised. ‘Ys’ is the result of a generational talent that dared to envision, and possessed the capabilities to realise it. The vision is uncompromising, yes. But the question is, are you willing to meet her there?