I'll cut straight to it - Yola Carter has one of the strongest voices that I have ever heard.Her voice packs so much emotion, power and soul, it is absolutely crazy to think that this lady is an independent artist. This is an artist who is up there with the quintessential powerhouses of music - the Adeles, the Mariahs and the Arethas.
On paper, that seems like a lot of pressure to put on an artist who has still yet to release a full length album but these are comparisons that I could not help but make. Yola's six track EP, Orphan Offering, is one of the most compelling pieces of music that I have listened to in quite some time. The EP combines a whole host of genres such as country, soul, gospel and jazz and, because it's not pigeonholed into one genre, it has tremendous mainstream appeal.
In short, Yola Carter should be on all the big radio stations here, there and everywhere.
Lyrically, Orphan Offering is also strong and addresses tough but important issues. Carter had a hard upbringing, coming from a broken home and a community in which racism was not uncommon. This allows for the EP to become part-autobiographical and part-social/political commentary. One such track, 'Dead and Gone' tackles head on, the obstacles that black women face in the music industry today.
Track 'Orphan Country' is equally as haunting. Carter's vocals are vulnerable; every line she sounds close to tears as she sings about the problems that she faced to be heard, making a comparison to a horse who should be allowed to run free. Having read the press release prior to listening and learning about how she was 'banned' from making any music by a parent suffering from mental illness, this track was incredibly striking.
'Fly Away' features a(nother) vocal masterclass alongside a fiddle which makes the track one of the more 'country' sounding ones on the EP but it's arguably just as bluesy and there's also a gospel element to it, very much so in the latter half of the song as Yola and her backing singers demonstrate the wonderful dynamic between them.
The EP opener, 'Home' is definitely the right song to start the collection off on. Delicate guitars and vocals open the track before growing in ferocity and passion - the latter of the two is found in every song that follows.
Orphan Offering is evocative and Yola Carter's voice is simply stunning. I truly don't think she'll remain an independent artist for much longer...
*
Orphan Offering is available now. For more information on Yola, please visit yolacarter.com.
