Review: Yola- My Way

Yola's motto, emblazoned on t-shirts and coozies at the merch stand of her concerts, is “Genre Fluid.” Over the course of her previous two albums, she's shown that to be true, blending country, soul, and Americana into a unique brand. But on her new EP My Way, Yola takes “genre-fluid” to the next level, pushing beyond even the borders of the notoriously big tent of Americana and into progressive R&B, electronica, pop, and broken beat just to name a few.

You know this isn't the old Yola from the outset of My Way, with the album's opening cut “Future Enemies.” Driving electronic beats kick off the song and back Yola's soulful voice before the full band crashes down on the chorus and the giant Yola voice fans have come to know and love reminds us that this may be an evolution for the artist, but some things never change.

Thematically, “Future Enemies” is an interesting “anti-love song.” It's the tale of a woman backing out of a potential relationship that she realizes from the outset is wrong. “It's a stone-cold bitch / this temptation,” Yola sings before coming to her senses with “I knew you wouldn't like me / if you knew me as I was.” She brushes him off with “You don't know me/you just think you want this / future enemy.”

There's a much more favorable view of a relationship on the standout track “Symphony.” The drum-heavy song is full of staccato vocals and funky rhythms influenced by bands like Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Parliament/Funkadelic. It's not a subtle come-on but an empowered go at what she wants. “I'll put you on / To this body of mine,” she belts before commanding her lover to “play my heartstrings / with both of your hands / and I'll sing like a symphony.”

The album's title track is a lyrical declaration of independence that matches the musical one represented by the album as a whole. It's the most rock-oriented song of the lot. “Temporary” is a shimmering slab of disco-glam that's loads of fun. “Ready” is the album's most ambitious track, with its blending of broken beat and '80s-inspired dance-pop.

While it may confuse some of her more Americana-leaning fans, My Way is a delight for those who have followed Yola's trajectory across three albums and celebrate an artist dedicated to fierce independence and chasing her muse wherever it takes her. And then there's that voice. Whatever genre Yola decides to tackle, the one thing that never changes is that generational vocal talent. If I have any complaint at all about My Way, it's that it's only an EP. 18 minutes of Yola just isn't enough and here's hoping she follows it up with a full-length release sooner than later.