Review: Yola Releases Star-Studded Single "Hold On" to Benefit Charity

While the world is still impatiently waiting for the follow up to Grammy nominated roots-soul singer-songwriter Yola's stunning debut album Walk Through Fire, which grabbed the #1 spot in our 2019 year-end review of standout roots albums. For now, we'll have to be content with the trickle of content and appearances by the soulful Brit, which now includes a brand new surprise single benefiting two great charities and featuring an all-star cast of players.

“Hold On” was written by Yola and produced by roots music superproducer Dave Cobb at RCA Studio A. Sales of the song benefit two charities; Musicares, which provides a safety net of financial, addiction, and mental health services to distressed musicians; and National Bailout Collective, which aims to help members of the black community with bail to reduce the statistics of poor African Americans languishing in jails pre-trial more than other races simply because of financial barriers.

In the album's press material, Yola explains her inspiration for the album. “Hold On” is a conversation between me and the next generation of young black girls. My mother’s advice would always stress caution, that all that glitters isn’t gold, and that my black female role models on TV are probably having a hard time. She warned me that I should rethink my calling to be a writer and a singer…. but to me that was all the more reason I should take up this space. ‘Hold On’ is asking the next gen to take up space, to be visible and to show what it looks to be young, gifted and black.”

While the songwriting might be a Yola solo effort, she got a lot of help from good friends in the production of the song. In addition to Cobb's production, the song features Brandi Carlile and Natalie Hemby of The Highwomen (whose own album featured a guest appearance from Yola), Jason Isbell on guitar, Sheryl Crow on piano, and Carlile's band The Hanseroth Twins, on guitar and bass.

2020 might be a lost year for many artists in regard to touring, and Yola isn't immune to that, but that doesn't mean she hasn't been busy. She contributed a cover of Nina Simone's “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black” to the recent Good Music to Avert the Collapse of American Democracy charity album. She's playing Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Baz Luhrmann's upcoming musical drama Elvis. She will be featured on an upcoming episode of Austin City Limits. And 2021 will see her play her first headlining performance at Nashville's storied Ryman Auditorium, as well a run of dates opening for country superstar Chris Stapleton.

You can pick up the single at all the usual digital download locations or listen to it on Youtube here.