Ys

Sometimes it sounds like Dexter from Dexter's Laboratory is singing (this is not a bad thing)

8/10 An album I can’t quite grasp completely now that I’ve fully heard it for the first time. I used to not really be into Joana based off of my newbie ears listening to her back then and being annoyed by her voice, it certainly still is odd now but I think I’ve been able to understand it much more as a needed eccentricity for the setting of this record. The instrumentation is unbelievable, you’re sitting through these extensive and sprawling Folk soundscapes that feel intricately designed to provide such a striking image in such a contained space. Not only are the performances great, but Joana’s harp playing in particular is jaw dropping, serving to amplify her words with every track. That brings me to the main selling point which is the songwriting, which I cannot describe to you, because holy shit these are insanely intricate and detailed lyrics that I am too stupid to encapsulate in a review, but let it be known that there’s a lot to digest and I’m very interested in what that amounts to with future listens. Can’t wait for the comeback collab album with the Lonely Island.

This is such a magical listen and reason number one as to why I do this list. I wouldn't believe you if you told me there was a singing harpist playing indie music. Or now that I think of it… Anyways… Joanna Newsom's voice is serene and the opening track 'Emily' is a gutwrencher. 4/5

Who am I to criticize a mystical harp faerie woodnymph 🧚

Intriguing, great lyrics and arrangement but the vocals sometimes stray into irritating levels of out-Björking Björk. Glad it's on the list though, well worth a listen.

Really enjoyable, harp-led eccentric whimsy.

On the surface, there's much to dislike with this album, but it unexpectedly turned out to be an incredibly absurd and beautiful album!

Enchanting

Emily Sawdust & Diamonds

Eine echte Überraschung. Sehr melodisch, spannende Texte, schöne Stimme. 4/5

cool concept. well executed

Ys, the element Ysium. Reminds me of when Houmous and Chutney created K Pop. Massively took off in Korea which surprised us all. They all thought it meant Korean pop. It was actually Potassium Rock and involved far more bananas than the current interpretation of K Pop. 4.1

Pretty nice. Chill and relaxing listen.

An interesting, moving album that would be much better served by a gentler voice. Someone like Annie Clark would do wonders for this one. Still, the fact that this was able to get to me like this merits 4 stars in and of itself.

Renaissance prog, perd une etoile car devient un peu usant

Can’t tell if this is really good or really bad, but I’ve decided to be a glass half-full guy today.

I’m not 100% sure I listened to it all, but Bjork-style music utilizing harpsichord is a sure-fire win in my book!

I think I need a few more listens to fully understand and appreciate this one, but it’s exactly the kind of album I wanted to find on this list. Unique, beautiful, a little eccentric and poetic, but regardless very well done.

Pretty intense stuff here. I felt vibes of Bjork when she has orchestrated material and it's the rare case of wanting to investigate the lyrical content. Each track is a lovely story shared and I'm not just saying that because I'm impressed that she is Andy Samberg's wife. I would probably revisit this and I am surprised while typing that--upon first listen I was not enthused.

4/5. I remember hearing a lot about this album when I was younger and so I checked it out. Terrible choice to listen to in high school. After about 10 years later, it's a crazy, beautiful album. Layered and so mesmerizing. With experience and many albums under my belt, it's easy to understand the impressiveness of this album. Despite the length of the songs, there is not a moment I lost attention. Progressive classical-jazz-folk is the best way I can describe it. Love albums that provide an original and unique experience that keeps me coming back because of its individuality. Glad it came back up in my life, great stuff. And yet despite these praises, it cannot be a masterpiece because I am not always in the mood. Once I finished the album, I realized this. Best Song: Emily, Cosmia, Monkey & Bear

I don't know why everyone is hating on this album? I like it. I also want to know how they got a picture of me for the album cover. 4/5

Really did not know anything about this or her. But Drag City, recorded by Steve Albini, mixed by Jim O'Rourke? A real who's who of Chicago heavy hitters. This also seems like it was super well regarded. The orchestral baroque pop doesn't do a ton for me, and though this is obviously a singular and interesting work, it's not really for me. I'm sure it's endlessly rewarding with each subsequent listen.

Fav: Cosmia Least Fav: Monkey & Bear It’s a Ys from me

Listened to this for another list. It's very very good. 4/5

I had no idea what I was getting into here. I had heard the name before and knew she was highly acclaimed but I wasn’t expecting such a whimsical, theatrical performance. The orchestra backs Newsom’s unique vocals wonderfully, I’ve never really heard anything quite like this. On Only Skin a familiar voice shows up, oh shit that’s Bill Callahan, love that guys work. Callahan’s deep dry delivery compliments Newsom’s quirkyness well, makes for a solid track. I wasn’t convinced right away but Ys won me over in the end. 4 stars

This worked for me. Fiona Apple mixed with Björk mixed with the forests and meadows. Would love to give it a deeper listen.

Really awesome album. I've heard about this one, and Joanna, for quite some time but never dove in. All I really knew is that she's married to Andy Samberg, which is really cool. She's a bit of an American Bjork, in a way that I really enjoy. Very intricate, folksy songwriting and unpredictable melodies, like the songs are just unfolding and not even Joanna knows where they'r going. Just a few long songs and I dug almost all of them. This is definitely a keeper. Favorite tracks: Emily, Sawdust & Diamonds, Only SKin, Cosmia. Album art: Great cover, Renaissance-style painting of Joanna. Crow on the sill, sickle and butterly, the painting is about as detailed and as intricate at the music. I love that. 4.5/5

4.0

Very interesting very different, had it been a little less repetitive it would have been a 5 star

Makes me emotional, can't use that right now, but props when they are due

Todays album gave me a sense of magic and wonder. I hadn’t heard of Joanna Newsom before, but these 5 tracks which total around 55 minutes felt somewhat fantastical. I wouldn’t be surprised if I was to find out that she also writes film scores as well as her own music. This album felt like a journey, and I really quite enjoyed the places it took me to. This was a nice surprise today.

This was lovely all around — I suspect it was in medium-to-large part due to Van Dyke Park’s producing/arranging/orchestration. He worked with Brian Wilson for Good Vibrations and later songs for The Beach Boys. I still have his Song Cycle album for sale on Amazon. This reminds me of Bjork…

Great Bjork-like album, with some mystique and elegant melodies played on lyre or harp, which was making me feel a bit nauseous the longer it went on. Every 15 minutes or so I was feeling more fed up with this record, even though my first impression was very positive. I just decided to stop listening to it, before it will become unbearable. Still, it's hard to give it a bad rating, it has something magical that makes me come back for more. Maybe it will grow on me a little bit more in the future?

This is a polarizing album! Count me on the "love it" side of the equation. Yes, Newsom has a bizarre voice, but it fits the material really well. Strong four.

Interesting. I've never heard of her before

While I enjoy and am more familiar with Joanna Newsom's fantastic first album, I think the songs on "Ys" take her unique, twee artistry to a higher, finer level. These long songs are arduous and uncompromising, but they are the sophisticated visions of an awesome artist.

I would've been obsessed with this in my early 20s... I still really liked it, just not very accessible

Although not on Spotify I managed to listen to her songs on you tube. What a great surprise. I loved her voice and harp playing and unusual inflections. I really liked Emily and Cosmia (from another album I think)

she does her own particular genre

I enjoyed this. Wasn’t expecting it and found it entertaining

Joanna Newsom puts her harp artistry to use by surrounding it with flowery and memorable orchestration set to her undeniably unique folk songwriting. The wistful whimsy of Newsom's poetry dances to life as gentle strings sooth the sting of everyday life. If there ever was an album that was imbued with the majesty of nature itself, it would be Ys. I guarantee it has already been said already, but Newsom's singing voice adds a unique tonal quality to the songs that can either detract or enhance the experience of Ys. While I am not necessarily a fan, I found the vocals to be a significant factor in making Ys a memorable and enjoyable album overall. Everything else about the album is basically perfect.

I like the harps and her voice. Sounds like fairy land music.

If I had known anything about this piece going, I probably would have expected to enjoy it a lot less than I did. A warbling voice like Björk, but it isn’t annoying. Songs that last for more than ten minutes, yet they don’t feel bloated, stretched, or unnecessary. There’s a lot here that just works to prove she got the formula right. It’s as if she had the one recipe I enjoy for a food I otherwise could not tolerate. Maybe I’m getting too deep. Album nice, but not sooooo nice, but definitely nice. 4/5

Weird and interesting.

The children of rich people need something to do with their lives also, you know. I was touched. \"Little tufts of finch-down\" A lot to unpack here, as they say. Glad to hear this highly unusual bit of poetry and harp come down the pipeline. Has an ancient feel, and I could listen to a good harpist all day, not being facetious. The words, though, overwhelm with power. Really well done. A surprise. Who knew?

Once past her quirky voice, the album is entirely fascinating. Dense lyrical storytelling which amazingly doesn't get too overwhelming because the music is well varied... at times, subtle, epic and magical. Her delivery also doesn't get trapped in a single boring approach, and you begin to soar when her and the music begins to soar. I can definitely see going to back to this multiple times to attempt to continue to unwrap a really interesting package.

Artful album. Each song seemed to wander about without a clear path, but it worked. Perfect for medieval age nobility wanting a minstrel to sing and strum on the side for like an hour. Stand-out: Monkey & Bear

HL: “Only Skin”, “Monkey & Bear” If you need me, I have started a new life in the forest Until my phone dies

That was an interesting listen. I wish there was more on this last that were there because they were doing something others aren’t. I get that there will need to be those landmark albums that paved the way for music. However, I find these ones often times more interesting. I enjoyed the different style and approach.

After sitting on my Unrated list for well over a year I finally found out that this was on Amazon Music (which is a shite platform) and gave it a listen. This album is SO not for me. The lazy comparison would be that this feels like that one Icelandic megastar, but different. I get why, but I think this is better than that. Saying that I hate the vocals is probably a bit harsh, but they don't do much for me. The instrumentation is what makes this album shine. It probably helped that I listened to it whilst walking through the woods at golden hour, but there is a lot to like once you get past those, frankly quite jarring vocals. Hold off on judging this immediately, get through a few songs and look for what you do like rather than what you don't and I'm sure most people will find something positive.

Muy original, entre balada y musica medieval. Una voz cálida que se vuelve aguda cuando es necesario. Me hace acordar un poco al estilo de entonar de Regina Spektor Gran descubrimiento

Her VOICE 😍 reminds me of the Oh Hellos. Love it! I liked the experimental nature of the album with very varying song lengths.

This first song is so interesting to me. The storytelling is vivid. Art set to music. I don;t love her voice, but her artistry keeps me interested. I love the lyrics. Very poetry-esque.

The freakiest thing I've encountered on this list so far. Familiar with it from around the time it was released, but haven't listened to it since. Still got a soft spot for it, for some reason. RIP Steve Albini.

like a modern fairport convention. 4 stars.

To my tastes, anything that could be described as chamber pop, or baroque pop, is usually a non-starter. Ol’ Newsom here overcomes it. When these records were coming out I remember getting Milk Eyed Mender and liking it quite a lot. Never gave as much time to Ys, but enjoyed it when I heard it. Giving it a closer listen now, it holds up and is very weird and impressive and good. I hope there’s no more baroque pop on this list and I can go on thinking, “Hey I guess that stuff can be alright!”

Not at all what I was expecting. The vocals are affected, which usually bugs me, but in this case, it's kind of compelling, perhaps because she's actually often on pitch, and it's more of a sing song talky sort of voice. Reminiscent of Kate Bush, if Kate Bush was quirky, or channeling Björk. The instrumentation is very Renaissance Faire which complements the vocals.

interesting sound, a bit disorganized, but liked the strings. Vocals remined me of Allison Krauss. I'd like to listen some more!

Olipa kiinnostava levy! hieno instrumentaatio ja sanat, joihin tekee mieli palata. 4/5

Way better than I thought it would be after reading the apple music review of it! I quite like the budget bjork vibes and the complexity

I've been putting off listening to this one for ages - the progressive folk label put me off. Well turns out I dig progressive folk. I prefer the vocal-heavy approach that keeps the story going through lyrics that prog rock often lacks. What a beautiful and unique voice Joanna Newsom has - sonically and lyrically. This album's a gorgeous treat meant for lazy, contemplative Sundays. Worth another 20 listens for me to absorb it all.

It doesn’t connect with me on a personal level (though it might someday), but it held my attention and I enjoyed it, even when the shortest song was still nearly 8 minutes long. I also got used to her voice after a few lines, so I don’t have a problem with that.

I didn't expect to find this here, but I'm quite delighted. An alien in terms of 2006 releases and justly one of the most important.

I've got this on CD (and her earlier album). It's not one I play often, as it's a challenging album and I need to be in the right mood. But when I'm in the right mood it's a great album full of complexity. Amazing musicians behind it too - Steve Albini on production a real suprise given the style of music. Voice is a bit offputting and she does take the music to some very strange places, but magical when it works.

I had been meaning to listen to this, but not on Spotify, so I’d never gotten around to it. This was weird, and I’m not sure if I’d really want to go back to any of the songs, but I also thought it was pretty good. It felt like just the right amount of weird.

Mikið asskoli er þetta næs plata. Fíla hana mjög vel.

I was like yeah its pretty interesting and by the end I was inside a fairytale of sounds

Love it

It's highly unusual, but I enjoyed it more than I expected. Her voice reminds me a little of Emiliana Torrini, maybe with a hint of Deb Talan. Favorites were "Sawdust and Diamonds" and "Cosmia"

I can see why this one was so controversial. It took a second listen on a good speaker with no distractions to really get into it. It really grew on me tho, and I think it would be a five if her voice matched the project better (she has a bluesy voice). I’m intrigued

What in the actual hell? This was...well...I didn't hate it. Did I like it? Yeah...I think I actually kind of liked it. I am a fan of Big Thief and Adrianne Lenker, and it's obvious she was influenced by this album. It is so weird, cool, and poetic. A true work of art among so many calculated over-produced efforts. This is a perfect example of why I enjoy this 1001 albums project. There is no way I ever would have heard this otherwise.

8/10 For some reason I had chosen to let her pass me by. Wrong decision, this was excellent Very much in the same spirit as Bjork Idiosyncratic, unique, melodic harp-led folk pop Excellent orchestration Lovely voice and delivery. Lyrics slightly impenetrable and poetic so I let them wash over me Best: Monkey & Bear

Joanna Newsom answers the question of, "What if Kate Bush stripped her sound down, did only orchestral music, played a harp and sang like Bjork?" There are just so many words on this album and I don't know how she can remember them all. Actually, my research shows she does struggle to remember all the words at times (at least in concert). I don't have a damn clue what she is talking about half the time, but this is very original music and I think it deserves a place in this book. It seems Joanna Newsom fans are very passionate and love her music, making a personal connection to a lot of the lyrics. So even if I wouldn't listen to this everyday I think it's a really cool album.

Wow. The most curious fever dream. Different in every metric that comes to mind. I'm not questioning Ys. Poetic. Mystical. Astounding. Whimsical. Unique.

Huh. Yeah, I really liked this. It may even be a 5, but only more listens will tell. Her voice is a cool mix of Lorde and Bjork. Her melodies and lyrics are pretty great. It doesn't surprise me that Van Dyke Parks was involved, as I could hear similarities between this and his Song Cycle (though this is better). But it does surprise me that Steve Albini produced this. I mean, what? I can see why this is provoking such strong reactions in people, but I think it's great.

Couldn't find this on Spotify so forced me to listen on Youtube. I started reading the comments & got intrigued. Impressive that this was released in 2006 by a 24 YO. Very unique sound & style for the time. Each song blends into one another, so not very dynamic there, but overall a good listen if you want to hear something different.

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Good music all around & interesting delivery. Also dude if I was rich I'd totally get a harp & fuck around harps are awesome. Very impressive. And what made the boing sounds in Emily bc I want that too.

I didn't think I knew Joanna, but she's sampled by The Roots, and that's been stuck in my head ever since I realised that yesterday. Overall, I think this is probably one you need to listen to a few times to digest, but I can tell its competent and well put together from the first listen.

I believe you that she's great and this album is amazing. I can even recognize it sometimes. I just can't get there.

This is an unusual one! It sounds like a 60s folk album, with added orchestration sung by someone with the phrasing of Bjork and the lyrical sensibilities of Nick Cave. There are five longish songs on this album and they require a certain amount of concentration to follow as it’s quite easy to let it wash over you. I’ll be listening again, which should tell you how I feel about it.

This is a pretty interesting album of carefully chiseled modern(-ish) folk with a baroque twist. The omnipresence of the harp is unusual but really nice, the orchestration is nice and not too overwhelming (i.e. it does not sound too cheesy), the voice is special, sometimes a bit on the edge, reminding me of Björk (with who she shares also a baroque/avant-garde liking). This album was recorded by Albini, which is also a seal of good quality!

I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this album. I had neither heard of the album, nor Joanna Newsom. That is quite the travesty. It doesn’t fit into the categories that I generally write highly, but the artistry, and the beauty are fantastic.

Super interesting, non-trivial, fresh, melodic and devoid of many clichés approach to modern music. Interesting vocals combined with orchestra, harmonic passages and timings of a length that is convenient for the author to reveal his idea, not convenient for the radio or anyone else.

Folktales and poetry. I enjoyed this way more than I ever expected to. Favorite song is Emily.

I actually enjoyed this much more than I thought. Not being familiar with Newsoms work gave me an open mind to the pleasingly endless journey her poems and strings took me on.

Je ne savais pas à quoi m'attendre avec cet album et surprenament j'ai vraiment embarqué dans ce style. C'est un peu long et vers la fin ça devenait un tantinet redondant, mais la musique est tellement relaxante et la voix est tellement passionnée. À réécouter. 8/10

Tell me Ys...a beautiful and wild freak folk record that seems like you find something new each time you listen

I imagine this is a very love or hate album. I love it. I really like her voice find it very captivating and the way she structures her songs is great. Crazy that she's married to Andy Samberg, what a pairing

Krasan proljetni album.

Damn, I really enjoyed this.

If someone come out today singing like this, I don't she would make it...but for the time, this was pretty great. What an album. Really glad that this is here on the list. I think it is really nice. I heard it for the first time just before Christmas. Now, I know her name and was excited to see it come up today. Not sure if any one really stands out among the rest. Maybe Emily if I was forced to pick one. The entire album is an amazing journey or singing, orchestral music and wonder melodies. Her voice reminds me of that song that plays before each episode of "Weeds" (Tiny Boxes). Anyone else? 3.5/5

Well I've never heard of Joanna Newsom before, and the album artwork didn't really give me any clue what to expect. Even so I was surprised. The first listen through I was swinging between sorta liking it and being annoyed by her voice. After a few listens this has really grown on me. It's not perfect. but I like it a lot.

Newsom expertly weaves imagery like brocade, bringing anecdote, metaphor, allegory, and literary allusion into her beautiful harp music, couching all her charming storytelling in a most excellent, educated diction that cannot help but delight the enlightened listener as she renders the mundane magical. If other music is homeless-by-choice people picking off crows in the barn for their supper, this music is a family in a warm house sitting down to a dinner of lamb.

Como suena el disco en general, y la banda me encantó. No es mi tipo de música, aún así entiendo que es un muy buen disco.

Ä stimm wi usem Thurgau: überwindet mer di erste hürde, eröffnet sich eim uf eimal wundervolli welte. So tolli musig, dassi mit de joanna serstmal id nöchi devo cho bin, zerwäge dass musical vlt doch ned nur scheisse müsstet si.

It's not on Spotify, but it is on YouTube. I've never heard of this artist before. The level of talent on this album is massive. Probably the most different album I've heard in this list.

Really really cool. Bummer it's only on YouTube.

Joanna's unique sound makes this album worth a relisten on a cool fall or winter's day. I think it goes a bit long though.

This is intense stuff. I found it hard going to be honest but that doesn't detract from whether it's any good or not. In fact I think it's so unusual and personal- lyrics and dainty that it is unlike much else i've heard. I really need to listen to this in small doses- it's a shame she's not on Spotify and I had to use Youtube.

So this is damn good, it sucks it is not on Spotify. The album has lyrics like Bob Dylan and a singer like Joan Baez. Clever metaphors and rhyme schemes wander over a relaxing musical background that you would expect in a Renaissance tavern. A real hidden gem that deserves more listens. Our skin was my favorite track

I'm gonna have to listen to this a few more times. I think I really liked it, but it's not quite like anything I listened to before. Definitely a unique work of art.

these songs are soooo amazing. and i actually always enjoyed her voice a lot... "emily" is just... wow. i do think it does get a bit hard to listen and engage with it for the full run of the album. but that would probably change if i got a bit more familiar with the songs. it's so good.

Good album

Given my aversion for the harp, I enjoyed it more than I thought i would

TRes special, bon vibe, belle voix. originalité. 1hr un peu long. 4

Wow great! Folky and lovely. I like the little squeak her voice does sometimes.

Did you know she's married to Andy Samberg

Great perform by Newsom. Highly recommend.

This has "divisive" written all over it, but I'm happy to say I enjoyed this album throughout. I'm not sure what to identify this genre as, but the melodies here never got boring or repetitive. Joanna made some interesting vocal choices at times, but there was something deeply satisfying about the lyrics and their melody that drew me into the music. It's nothing that I would've ever searched out, but I am glad I stumbled onto it in this list. Highlight: Monkey & Bear Lowlight: Cosmia (especially the last 90 seconds or so) Surprise Hit: Emily

Sometimes the line between genius and bad is pretty thin. I really didn't know what to make of this at first (and am still not sure I know exactly what to make of it to be honest). I think I really like it though? The album is very orchestral. There's lots of twinkling chimes and harps and things, so definitely a bit unconventional. It almost sounds like it should be the soundtrack for some sort of medieval period piece or something. The songwriting might be my favorite part of the album. The songs are beautiful and emotional and clever. In another era she might've been a great poet, but we got this instead. Newsom's voice is also really interesting. I'm reminded by the discussion of Nico's voice in a Velvet Underground podcast that I listened to, where they spent quite a long time discussing whether she's actually a good singer or not. I think Newsom's voice is probably great, but honestly I'm not 100% convinced it's even good. Newsom's voice is a bit squeaky almost, and it seems like she gets criticized for sounding child-like at times. I think it works though, she has great range and expresses incredible emotion in her singing. Anyway, I think it's really good, and I'm enjoying it even more on a second listen. Annoyingly it's not on Spotify (she REALLY doesn't like Spotify), but something about making me dig a bit harder for this seems on brand. I also think it's funny that she's married to Andy Samberg, they seem like they'd be a fun couple. Favorite song: Sawdust & Diamonds Other: Emily, Only Skin, Cosmia 10/26/23

Ys is a collection of five compositions more than it is an "album", but uses every modern technique to appeal and applies the natural rhyme everywhere it can. Newsom's choice there is captivating, and makes it easy to sink into the feeling of poems in traditional style. The album's world is not foreign, yet its colors bear the mark of elite creativity.

Very weird bit I think that is the intention. Very powerful vocals with a sort of "witchy" feel. Enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

8/10 Fairytale music? Lit major songs? Ren Faire chamber pop? Music that tries to imagine a world where Bach never happened? I can see one medieval studies major saying "Finally! Someone is making music that caters to my exact tastes!" Sometimes she sings with hints of Bjork and Billie Holiday. Anyway, this is highly original, impeccably crafted, and maybe a little annoying-cutesy? She wields her significant vocabulary in a way that mostly isn't offputting. I think the word "twee" was thrown about indiscriminately regarding stuff like this. But this is too good for the label. Regardless, I like it very much, it's pretty awesome and who am I to judge music this much of itself? I am no one. I am overawed by its creator.

Definitely to her benefit that I put this on as cooking music rather than working or walking, but May It Please The Court, I enjoyed this a lot

Var ekki viss um þetta við fyrstu hlustun, en þetta vann á, sérstaklega lögin þar sem það er ekki bara Newsom með hörpuna að syngja. Þetta er strax við aðra hlustun ljómandi fallegt og skemmtilegt, og eftirminnilegt. Grænt ljós hér.

I’m not even sure how to describe this, but I like it. Quite unlike just about anything else, but “freak folk” seems as good a description as any.

I totally understand why her sound is divisive, but I found a lot here to love. The folk sound with flecks of Bjork here and there is something I can definitely get behind. You do have to be in the right mood for it, mind.

A truly singular album. The only music really comparable is Joanna Newsoms other works. I will say that the album does get a bit monotonous. Not to make an outrageous claim like there not being a clear trajectory to the compositions, but at length it starts to feel something like a repetition of one musical idea. That is idea is a beautiful one, though.

A series of five beautiful tracks detailing mythical stories that employ descriptive imagery to picture the fairy tales she shares. The string arrangements and cover match the medieval bard mood and execute it better than nearly anyone else renovating the medieval folk sound. The strings are sparse and minimalist, often following a repeating motif and matching the emotions of the story alongside her expressive, sincere voice. The song lengths are in her favor, to get very deep into the story just like 70s prog. It's interactive and exciting, keeping the audience in anticipation with resolution in waves. Loved all the tracks, and it's super consistent.

I was kind of blown away by this. Really interesting and beautiful. Took me a bit to appreciate her voice. Sort of an American version of Bjork. I wish it was on Spotify, I would put it on frequent rotation. 4 stars.

I really like the tone and feeling of the record, all the harp is entrancing and the harpist is fucking shredding the whole time. The lyrics are dense and I can't seem to penetrate them on this listen through. Cosmia I could see Katie covering.

I remember Joanna Newsom being an absolute critical darling in the 00s, with "Ys" being the peak. But it is also very clear why this may not be a commercial hit. Despite the hype, I never listened. I mean, the 10 minute songs aren't really radio-friendly, so Newsom is one of those you have to seek out. Since I didn't take that initiative, I'll have to thank the 1001 for the exposure. I like progressive rock (though I'm learning not quite as much as I'd thought), and I like some folk, and the merger of the two makes for something interesting and unique. On the other hand, the way Newsom sings sometimes just comes off as Björk with a harp. A vocal style that could be really annoying... somehow works. Most of the time. Just like Björk. "Monkey & Bear" nearly lost me, but "Sawdust & Diamonds" was great and stood out as the best track. Apparently Newsom's first album, "Milk Eyed Mender," was more "twee," according to several reviews? I'm not totally sure what twee is, but I think more twee than "Ys" might be a turn-off? Though "Ys" may not push me to seek out more Joanna Newsom, it was a welcome listen that I would certainly revisit.

Not really sure what I think of this album. The instrumentation is absolutely gorgeous and the sprawling folk tales are impressive, but Newson’s voice hasn’t grown on me just yet (though I feel like it will after a couple more listens). I’m giving this an optimistic 4

Björk but good. Really good, god damn. I wasn't expecting to like this but I was completely enchanted. This sounds like something you'd hear a Disney princess singing. Seems like her voice is a bit controversial from reading the other reviews, but I like it. I get that the weird bird yelp she sometimes does can be kind of jarring at first though. Very talented! Glad I listened to this. Definitely doesn't deserve the low global rating (2.72 as of writing this review) - should be above a 3 at the very least!

There were a lot of factors conspiring to make me feel annoyed with this album, not the least of which is that Newsom's voice has some Björk-ish qualities, but once I settled in, it was quite an enjoyable experience, and there's no denying the poetry of the lyrics. Best track: Monkey & Bear

Huh. I had always heard of Joanna Newsom being a bit polarizing, but this was my first time listening to her music. I can hear the Regina Spektor/Tori Amos influence, both types of artists that took a while to grow on me. Sometimes the vocals were a bit quirky? But for the most part, I enjoyed the picturesque, descriptive lyrics and I'm a sucker for harp, even if it reminds me of my fifth-grade Medieval Day celebration a bit too much. Or that Encarta game, Mindmaze. Thankfully, IMO, the first song is the worst, so it only got better from there.

Much better than I expected, looking at the other comments. Her voice is certainly unique but not at all annoying. Good stuff, too bad it wasn't on Spotify.

This is a new artist and album for me and when it started I didn't think that I would enjoy this one. It took a few minutes, but then I became enchanted. I am not sure that I can ever really love this, because I cringe every time her voice makes that squeak. it was something special to listen to though!

Struck by the mystical, childlike qualities of this album. It plays like a storybook, but one that requires some decoding. Really stands out, between the harp, orchestration, lyrics and vocal delivery - clearly a unique artist.

Poetic. Straddling a folk sound and classical. Never quite what you expect with a voice that calls from long ago but echoes the sixties. A demanding album.

This project has crystallised my opinion of prog folk and baroque folk or whatever this is called. As with other prog, I think it's more interested in being showily clever than in having good tunes or being enjoyable to listen to. I somehow find it more irritating with the folky stuff, perhaps because it's so close to music styles that I love, and it frustrates me. The music on this was often beautiful but also meandering and over complex. But I found her voice grated on me.

Literally bard music.

Lidt musset stemme ala Kate Bush. Glad for at det ikke var "Yes", men bare Ys.

I liked this less than I thought I would, and less than I hoped. It's still an interesting album with pretty good songwriting and lyrics, but its indulgent flourishes and sound make it a frustrating listen.

If the art movement of Rococo could be distilled down into an hour long album it would be this. Very ornate, painfully so at times, but good writing.

Overall Rating - 2.50/5 (5.00/10). Great instrumentals. Excellent lyrics. Mediocre vocals. I don't know what this album is about, but it's an experience. I truly have no idea how to rate this album, so I'm just going straight down the middle.

I like to recognize eccentricity.

Well....First thoughts were 'what the heck?' but the background music drew me in as it was so lovely and then I started really listening to the lyrics . I did find the higher pitched screechy parts a bit difficult but I think this could be one of those albums that you just need to sit really quietly and immerse yourself in . Could only find it on Youtube where she clearly has some very committed fans . Not far into a 3 but a 3 nevertheless.

Super unique, I love the concept and this album is truly different from anything else I have heard so far. I wish the vocals were cleaner and the songs were more structured as I think they were all ballads that were quite long.

Terrible

Ich will das wirklich mögen, weil das Cover so cool ist. Aber ich kann der Musik teilweise echt schwer folgen. Singen kann sie, instrumentieren wohl auch, aber ich komm dann teilweise nicht so mit. "New Weird America" passt hier als Szene auf jeden Fall auch.

Sehr schwer zu bewerten. Am Ende hat mich die ellenlange, leichte Monotonie gestört.

Ich besitze dieses Album, habe aber bis heute keinen Zugang zu ihm gefunden. Ich bestaune Joanna Newsom, aber bin noch nicht "abgeholt". Nehme das aber mal zum Anlass, es mit anderen ihrer Alben zu versuchen.

Extremely folky/ren-faire-esque, the reviewers on this are low IQ

Bjork-alike, not bad but the Bjork folksy voice takes me out a little too much for this to be listenable for me.

This one doesn't exist on Spotify so I'm just giving it a neutral rating of 3 since I can't even listen to it

Ys is a calm and beautiful album with lovely arrangements and a unique atmosphere. The compositions are rich and carefully crafted, creating a distinctive listening experience. The long songs can make it harder to stay engaged throughout. Needs more listening.

Better than I thought and surprised by how many haters this album has

Ys? Yes

Indie folk is really hit or miss for me, but I quite enjoyed this one

I liked the music on this. Particularly the string arrangements. However, it was hard to get past Joanna's voice. It reminded me of Devendra Banhart with a similar annoying vibrato quality. I think the music allowed me to enjoy Ys a lot more than Rejoicing in the Hands and, perhaps with more listens I could grow to like this album. As it stands though, I can't give it more than a three.

Interesting sounds, instruments, and the lyrics are poetry

Music is quite enjoyable but I'm not sure I like her voice. It's quite scratchy at times.

This is really unique! I just wish there were a tad more structure and a whole lot less “cursive” singing. It adds artifice to something that otherwise feels genuine.

Here's the thing... Joanna Newsom's music isn't available on Spotify, and I just didn't feel like putting in the extra effort of a few more keystrokes to listen on another platform (with ads, cuz I don't have YouTube Premium.) Instead, I heard Joanna Gruesome's 2013 album, "Weird Sister." It was great. Five stars. You should probably listen to it before you die.

I know it's universally loved....but not by me

me costo al principio, es musica muy lirica and you guys know how much i struggle with that la segunda cancion me gusto mucho tho 3.5 que bajo a 3, porque tbh veo dificil volver a escucharlo pronto but im glad i did

Not currently on Spotify if I find a fisicly copy I will listen

3.4 2x very nice voice and pleasant to listen to.

Lots to appreciate here.

It is certainly unique...

That was a lot. But I did like it, small dosage.

6/10 What a unique surprise. These songs are like puzzles, with each successive listen uncovering more and more until a story or a theme materialises. I've never heard music like this. I'm also not sure if I'm intelligent enough to distinguish between profundity and incoherence, but there's definitely a level of lyricism in here that I haven't come across before. It was hard to rate this one. It's so unlike anything I've heard and I'm not really sure I could say I enjoyed it. These are not songs you can get stuck in your head, but there is a level of intrigue that tempts you to try to uncover hidden meanings and decipher the complex metaphor sprinkled throughout. Best track: Sawdust & Diamonds Will I revisit?: Not sure - possibly?

The main thing I enjoy about this album is how it feels like a storybook every song creates this sprawling landscape which kept my attention as I listened to the very long tracks. At it's best the orchestra, vocals, and lyrics all blend into this melting pot of pure sound that I could not help but smile at. At its worse it can feel a little drawn out and I find my self blinking in and out of the world it creates. I do really enjoy it and I am happy I got to experience Ms. Newsom's wonderful artistic expression.

Joanna Newsom is clearly very, very talented. But I struggle to get past her voice which I often find excruciating. But then I saw a live video of her playing the harp and singing and found it to be pretty good, with her performance helping to give some context to this album. I still don’t fully connect with it, but the arrangements, songwriting and sheer ambition of ‘Ys’ make it hard not to admire.

I like Björk but come on, she can't make these instrumentals feel not boring

This album is a good example of the ambitious indie-folk albums of the mid-2000s, along with Sufjan Stevens and even Fleet Foxes. The music and orchestration is interesting, but somewhat blends together - this probably demands revisiting to apprecaite the details, but I don't find myself compelled to return.

Avant garde, sort of prog folk rambling on like a mad woman for songs that are longer than anyone can comprehend, a stream of consciousness in the form of words over music and no real song structures, all whilst sounding like Björk…and yet rather interesting - musically, very much so! I almost gave this 4 stars but ‘Only Skin’ let it down and that’s significant on an album with 5 tracks. It does seem to be an album that demands attention though, and it had mine for the most part.

*2006. *This isn't available on Spotify, so I spent a minute listening on YouTube and then listened to a bunch of covers on Spotify. *I really enjoyed the covers. Complicated, interesting songs. *But her actual voice is a lot - very generic brand Bjork. A little goes a long way. *Probably being a little generous, since I didn't listen to the actual album. RATING - 7/10

Bjork if she made medieval music Fav Song: 7.7/10

Funky Demands that you really lock in to get the most out of it. Really difficult to listen to casually but in general I was a big fan

I like her voice. The album was nice to listen to, but I never need to hear it again.

Joni Mitchell but I feel nothing listening to it

Es muy raro porque suena casi medieval. No estaba en spotify

Kind of repetitive but also I love the instrumentation. However, I do find Joanna's voice somewhat annoying and the length of the songs in this album do not help it at all. It's an album I'd like to enjoy, because on paper there's a lot of really good things in it, but experiencing it I was overwhelmed and tired by the end of it.

Vast, proggy, and unique. It’s a bit all over the place at times, but you can’t deny the ambition.

Interessant - auf gute und schlechte Weise

Découverte de l'artiste. Un album cohérent et tournant autour d'un thème central. Les instrus orientées acoustique et médiéval ne sont pas de mon style mais j'apprécie tout de même la belle voix maîtrisée de Joanna.

A year ago I was going through the top 500 albums on RYM (while skipping the ones that were on this list) and I got to the two hour long Joanna Newsom album and despised it. I can see that her work has value and there are some good moments, but MY GOD she needs to trim some of her work down. This just sounds very stream of conscious and every song is just 20 minutes of a pretty guitar loop that sporadically speeds up and slows down while she sings the first thing that comes to her mind. if each song was condensed to 3 or 4 minutes I would probably give this a 4, because there are some really good moments, but as is, the songs don't warrant a double digit runtime. The only enjoyment I really got out of this, is that she kinda sounds like Bjork at some moments. Low 3 (very generous; I can see why people like this, but it is NOT for me).

Ik ben er nog niet helemaal over uit, daarvoor moet ik het album eigenlijk nog vier keer luisteren. Het vergt wel wat inspanning dus vier keer is wel wat veel op één dag. Ja, haar stem is irritant, dit kan een directe no go voor veel luisteraars zijn waardoor je niks anders meer kan horen. Voor mij zit ze op de grens waar ze ook regelmatig overheen gaat. Mijn tolerantie voor deze stem zal ook wel per dag of moment van de dag verschillen. Qua stembeheersing vind ik het wel dynamisch en gecontroleerd. Een gepolijste stem zal misschien te weinig contrast geven met de muziek en dat dit contrast goed werkt voor veel mensen. Zang icm met harp en muziek(arrangementen) reageren sterk op elkaar woordoor het voelt als een interactie met veel dynamiek. Muzikaal is het best wel interessant, soort barok met folk. De teksten zijn erg poëtisch en worden ook door haar stemgeluid soort voorgedragen. Hierdoor komt het bij mij wat geforceerd en pretentieus over. Zou er meer in moeten duiken qua teksten. Ik voel de haters en de lovers.

I actually really enjoyed it. Weird, but pretty. Sounds like what Ents listen to

Sounds like listening to a fairy tale. Very folky music, of course, coming from Joanna. Her voice can be a bit grating at times, but it's also magical in a way. The strum of the acoustic guitar behind her adds some beauty. The music is very calm and gentle. It's pretty good, but not something I'd revisit regularly.

7.5 / 10

When to listen: missing collegium, wanting to impress a date, to fulfill my passion for harpsichord music. This is a weird album. It's a conceptual album. I really liked the last piece, Cosmia. But not an easy listen and I understand the criticism, especially of her crunchy vocal style

Sweet sort of Kate Bush-reminiscent songs that sometimes go on a touch too long

Sweet and Tragic. Orchestral type if music with incredible vocals. NOT ON SPOTIFY! Buuuu isssss fiiine. Enjoyed it.

Min vater hett das früehner echt gern glost. Hans ehrlicherwiis nd nomal glost bin zu fuul gsi uf yt gah vo dem her isch mis rating nur erinnerig an wie ichs damals gfunde han

This artist has a unique sound. Quite folky and with lots of harp (she's a harpist). Her voice is not my favourite type of voice but I guess she uses it well to create a signature sound. The tracks blended together for me, all sounding very similar. Perhaps the lyrics are good but I was not listening closely enough to be honest. I like artists who can manage a distinctive sound in this day and age. I'll listen again.

To be honest, I couldn’t make heads or tails of this. I vaguely know the name Joanna Newsom, and seeing that Van Dyke Parks was involved in this project made me eager to try it. Parks wrote many Beach Boys lyrics; lines that lack concrete meaning but paint vivid pictures in the listener’s mind. “Over and over, the crow cries, uncover the cornfield” is one great example. These lyrics just didn’t have the same effect on me. The album felt unbelievably wordy, with the melodies taking a back seat to accommodate the dense writing. Maybe it will improve with repeated listens, or maybe I’ll eventually decide it’s dreadful. For now, it’s a confused three stars.

ех занадто шрсь ну нізна тіко початок а вже не дуже голос мееее

I would really give it a 3 1/2 voice isn’t beautiful i js think 20 min of the same thing idkkk

This album was not available on spotify, so I listened to a critique of it and heard clips. Definitely not my style of music, but kudos for the enchanting lyrics and dreamlike music.

I listened to this as background music when I was reading and that was probably a good choice. Otherwise I didn't think I would have liked it at all.

Woah, like nothing I've ever heard before. She's clearly a genius. Didn't enjoy it all the way through but full marks for originality! Miles better than fucking Pink Floyd anyway.

Gives you a lot to unpack while also feeling like a project that just blurs right by. I think it’s best to treat this album as one long song. Newsom shows a penchant for writing great vocal melodies but often stuffs those melodies under instrumentation thats doing too much. She can’t beat the sounds like Björk allegations, but that was kinda just a style cropping up around this time so I’m not gonna fault her too much. The best parts of this record are the obvious ones - the baroque and medieval instrumentation that create a very specific set & setting. There are moments where Joanna Newsom matches the instrumentation with a whimsical vocal run, or a melancholy story. I just wish it all was a bit more refined, I wish for a few more cogent moments. I feel involved in the world of this album, but sometimes a little lost in it. This is wildly cool art though, and all the people bitching in the reviews for this one dont make sense to me. I’ll take “Sawdust and Diamonds” as my favorite song, 3/5

My first impressions were the "little girl who inhaled too much helium" vocals and the assault of words, too many rambling and random words. The harp was nice, but the music was barely there, mainly just plinks and plonks and the odd orchestral bit. I did warm to it a little by the end, once I gave up on trying to make any sense of the strange noises being sung. Three stars.

Interesting album. Would make for interesting background music.

I can see why the album would be easy to pass on, but as I was able to get in to it there really are some excellent parts. And its definitely different, which is part of the point of this list.

I think her singing is a bit on the strange side. Sometimes she reminds me of Björk. I liked her harp playing more though. Cosmia is a great song!

I liked it but it was weird. Unlike anything I've ever listened to before.

Odd, twee, self-indulgent. But it’s refreshingly *different.* And absorbing, too.

Intellectually interesting. It makes sense that Steve Albini recorded this. For me it’s just too wordy. I can’t consume that many words at once.

This one was weird. It’s very chaotic and has harps? Her high voice and her wild cadence remind me of Tori Amos or maybe Bjork. Her ear for rhyme and unconventional lyrics was a welcome surprise. Who talks about the difference among meteors, meteorites, and meteoroids in a song? Did I find it interesting? Yes, and I would go see her live. Did I enjoy it? I’m not sure, but I’m glad I was exposed to it.

Quite unique and interesting but not as good as strange. Her voice is hmmm, divisive.

Giving Bjork amongst others

Rätt coolt!

Skön stil.

Has a nice sound, really enjoyed the slow build of only skin but the album is make up of a small amount of quite long songs so it can feel like it drags on a bit

I very much hated her voice at the beginning, then the music kind of grew on me around the middle, then sometimes I found myself enjoying her voice (but also still hating it at times). I don't think I'm going to start embracing NPR-core, but I guess I can say this was a pleasant surprise.

Ys.

Clearly a Björk fan, beautiful arrangements 3 - deserves to be on this list

I don't see a folk record ever being more intricate, whimsical, and epic than this one. Favorite track: Emily

This was interesting, but I can't say I really loved it. The first couple tracks were nice and melodic and very full-sounding with the strings and woodwinds and I found them pleasant to listen to. But by the time I got to the marathon tracks on the back half of the album, I was kind of tired of Newsom's voice (which reminded me quite a lot of Bjork), and the sparse quality of just like a guitar (or lute?) and vocals to the point where I was just ready for the album to be over long before it was. Overall there is a fair amount of musical merit here, but I just didn't find it very listenable. The way she squeaks when starting a word/syllable was kinda cool, but (I felt) overused and I grew tired of it. I'm hovering between two and three stars, but I think it's closer to three.

Jonie Mitchell vibes

Love the harp and vocals!

Think I enjoyed the vibes although annoying to listen to on YouTube Emily my fave song

Oh yay, today I get to listen to a new folk album from [checks notes] Andy Samberg's wife? Obviously not trying to reduce a talented musician down to who she's married to, but that fact was not something I expected to come across in my research today! People are probably being a bit too harsh on this one. It takes serious skill to write traditionally poetic music this long without being insanely repetitive and I think Joanna Newsom has a pretty good voice for this kind of folk music. I was impressed that a track like "Emily" was able to keep me engaged for as long as it did – it never felt like Newsom's tank was running out of gas. I can completely understand how a certain kind of listener would be completely enthralled by these 7-17 minute songs. At the same time, I think that length is a double-edged sword. If you're really feeling something, the party keeps going long after a typical pop (or folk) tune would have ended. If you're not, having to sit through it is going to be pretty excruciating. That said, the two I really latched on two were the first/last tracks ("Emily" and "Cosmia"). "Only Skin" had some movements I enjoyed as well, but I'd generally say the middle three weren't as effective on me. Can you see where I'm going with this? There's nothing inherently wrong with this album – Newsom's extensive song lengths, unique vocal style, classical instrumental palette and archaic lyrics are going to be just as much of a strength for a listener prone to enjoy this kind of folk as much as they are a weakness to someone who isn't. As an electronic music fan who has been slowly getting into acts like Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell and Pentangle thanks to this journey, Ys landed right in the middle for me. Three stars. Highlights: Emily, Cosmia

Betty Boop does Bjork. She deserves more listenings, but I need to let the snark out first.

Mega ciekawy koncept, wyjątkowa muzyka. Still, nie jestem do końca pewien, co to tutaj robi. W sensie - to jest dobry krążek. Ale niektóre te albumy i wykonawcy to dla mnie kompletne no-name'y, a mam wrażenie, że jeśli wydali płyty za mojego życia i wskakują na taką listę, to przynajmniej powinienem był coś o nich słyszeć? Ktoś opisał jej głos jako niewyćwiczony i dziecinny (ale nie było w tym krytyki, było to użyte w dosyć naturalny, a nawet lekko pozytywny sposób) i jest w tym dużo prawdy. Cieszę się, że na to trafiłem, ale nie wiem, czy będę szczególnie wracał. Może kiedyś mnie najdzie na posłuchanie harfy.

It's interesting, but not really for me.

Good skills from all involved but not really my thing

I can appreciate the artistry. I had a copy of Milk-eyed Mender back when it was released, but hadn’t listened to this album yet. I’m no stranger to quirky singing, but this is one I’d need to come back to while in a specific mood to get the most from it.

Her voice almost sounds forced or fake. The instrumentation is great. I'm going with store brand Bjork.

Interesting album. Sometimes the song didn't seem to fit the tempo of the music. Maybe I didn't get it.

Poetry set to music. One day is not nearly enough to really judge whether this is good or not. I’m certainly intrigued. The instrumentation is beautiful and there are some wonderful lines littered throughout. It’s heavy going. I feel the need to stop after each ‘song’. This has been on my listen list since it came out so it’s nice to finally give it a go, but it’s very demanding and I feel its secrets are still mostly locked away.

I definitely see the talent here. I don't mind some slower paced music with a simple vocal line over some strings, but I wouldn't choose to listen to this again.

I actually quite enjoyed this. I don't find her voice to be bad. It's definitely interesting. Very repetitive. Lasts forever. But, honestly nothing bad about it. Not exactly my style of music, but worthy of a listen. Monkey & Bear was my favorite.

Easy on the ears

Hard to find for me because I use Spotify most of the time. Album was good but then again not my type or music that I normally like to listen to.

Strange and a bit annoying voice. Lyrics are interesting.

I'd call it bucolic and whimsical, very nice, but not my jam on first listen

Großes Potenzial zum Wachsen bei mehreren Durchgängen, nach 1x Hören erstmal eine starke 3.

Wurde ja schon einiges drüber geschrieben. Ich glaube, die Platte hat definitiv das Potential zu wachsen, wenn man sich mal an die Stimme sowie die doch recht ausufernden Songlängen gewöhnt hat. Bei ein paar Songs hatte ich auch mal kurz das Gefühl, den Vibe gerade zumindest etwas zu verstehen. Den Einfluss auf Artists wie Florence + the Machine ist auch definitiv nicht zu leugnen. Aber es bleibt insgesamt einfach nicht mein cup of tea.

Didn’t have the immediate negative reaction like a lot of people seem to have. However I do think these songs have a kind of meandering quality that I found tiresome. Lyrically it was as if I were listening to a toddler telling a story: “and then… and then… and then… etc.” However, musically I loved it. So a mixed bag overall. 3/5

Very strange, but I kind of liked it. Her voice is very childlike, but the content is not.

bjork but married to Andy Samberg!

I was quite tired this morning so it took a while and some visits to “soundalike websites” to remind me who she sounded like: Tori Amos who I really like. Her voice is interesting and fitted the songs but at the end it was not her voice that I focused on but the lush orchestral production that I loved, which was by Van Dyke Parks. But. I don’t know if I would have fully appreciated the songs without that production. Another one for the half a point club and because I cannot give it 3.5 it will be 3 STARS.

It's different enough to be on the list, but I don't particularly like it. Like Bjork with a harp. Very long songs. Too long. Favorite song: Cosmia

Docked a point for making me listen on YouTube

I've never seen a record and got it with just looking at the cover art alone. Hut I sure knew exactly what I was getting into here. Its what people might think medieval or Renaissance music would sound like. Not really but to a modern audience of course this is what it was. I would like to commend this record for being headed almost fully by the harp. Don't see that every day. There are other instruments here and there but its mostly just a voice and a plucky harp. And the vocals is where it kinda looses me. It feels like the indie or alt vocals of the time trying to be olden timesy. It just doesnt line up that well. And it doesnt happen often maybe 2 or 3 times on the record she hits a note that to my ears sounds like my brain is going to explode. Its screechy and shrill beyond imagining. Like a throw the headphones off type shit. Not a fan of that at all. Maybe if I cared about lyrics this would be better but its just kinda fine. I dont know what its about and I also dont really care to. Thats a me problem but it still is what it is. I want to applaud the record for being what it is and picking a lane and living in it the whole way through. Its an album for sure. But not one im all that fond of really. Glad it took its shot but it doesnt hit for me

This album sounds like someone Joanna made it. I mean that in the best way possible. I would call this Reni Fair(e) folk with excellent singing and more variety of sound than my description would entail.

Intriguing, poetic, lush instrumentation but so long and dense, it really tested my neurospicy limits. Still, I appreciate its Celtic flavour and her gentle vocal moments.

Not my cup of tea, but interesting and I know people who would love this.

J'apprécie l'originalité, la harpe est sympa, mais honnêtement je m'attendais à aimer davantage. Il m'a manqué un petit truc 3/5

Sadly, I had to listen to this on YT music instead of on Spotify, which meant I had ads every few songs. This could have rated way higher because the album definitely seems something I could vibe with but was ripped out of it every few songs.

Neverheard of her so I didn't know what to expect. Turns out to be contemporary folk music, all songs are self-penned. The songs themselves are interesting if sometimes overlong. Unusual to have a harp as the featured instrument. Vocals are not over strong but fit in well with the general feel of the album.

Sister Sufjan! Ys (no matter how you pronounce it) is an artists' album. And Joanna Newsom is a very talented artist with a clear jazzy voice. I am not at all sure what's going on with this album, but her lyrical and vocal playfulness keep you there through some dense and long tracks. Also, she plays the harp. It is nice to see such a unique instrumentalist make the list.

First listen

Only skin

Newsom has a truly mesmerizing voice and it pairs so magically with the harp-led instrumentation of the album. My biggest gripe was it all felt a little too freeform, and I got lost a little listening to such long songs. I think it works best as a more passive listening experience. Best Track: Emily

Sounds like it could be in a movie. And Joanna Newsom's music has been in a PTA movie. Some parts of the album I really enjoyed. Feels like multiple songs per song. 5:57 for Only Skin 0:46, 4:25 for Cosmia

This avant-folk album is lush and ornate in its sweeping harp arrangements and ornate orchestration. It unfolds like a grand, sappy Disney musical - beautifully detailed, emotionally towering and overly dramatic.

to be honest, i am kind of disappointed with this album. It seems like it be right up my alley. I like a lot of aspect of the album, the instrumentals are gorgeous especially the strings. But i don't know the lyrics are so vague and doesn't seem to be connected to a wider narrative that i can latch on to. And that wouldn't be too much a problem if the songs weren't so long! A lot of sections just dragged on and they were some allusion to folksy motifs like rivers and fire breathers but none of it doesn't really seem to connect to anything and, except for some handfuls of lyrics, they weren't really like striking imagery. Maybe i am just frustrated that i am not understanding the deeper meaning lol or just can't seem to connect the pieces together. To be honest the music itself was good enough to have made my gripes with the lyrics tamer and actually enjoy the album. But again the songs were way too long and dragged so many sections that i couldn't see myself returning to it. Im sure it is a pretty objectively good album, it was just not for me. I think mixture of enjoyment and quality i would say this was a 3 out of 5 stars.

This album is different that is for sure. Definitely not music I normally listen to. Parts are nice, parts are weird, parts are annoying. Is Joanna Newsom America's Björk?

I appreciated the idiosyncratic style of this, even if it’s not something I would throw on regularly. Keep wailing about monkeys and sages over your harp Joanna.

This is a weird album to see here. I really don't know how to feel about it. I don't know if I like this but I don't know if I dislike it. Honestly, I'm just in the middle when it comes to this album. I really like the composition and instrumentation of this album. The mythical backing orchestra sounds really great, almost like the soundtrack of Skyrim. But I really don't like Joanna Newsom's vocal style. It almost sounds as though she is trying her best to emulate or copy Bjork or Kate Bush but isn't really there at all. Yeah, all I can say is the instrumentation is great but really absolutely don't like the vocals, it probably could've done without them. Favorite Tracks: Emily, Cosmia Rating: 3/5

This was truly spectacular in a what the eff way, this is genuinely what I expected when I joined this project. Holy Christ is this something. It's a 3 star just for the experience and the comments which made me laugh out loud.

Harps kinda neat.

I think this is the type of album that would grow on me rapidly with a better grasp on the topics and themes. Without it being on streaming I didn't really grab the song titles (not that there are many) But wow... this album really is beautiful. The compositions are great. A little too theater kid in her delivery but the instrumentation adds a ton.

I enjoyed this one! Another new artist to my ears.

Not on Spotify,

This is bonkers! If pixies existed and they made music this is what it would sound like! Blimey, 16 minute songs and she never stops singing! Never short of anything to say that’s for sure. It was strange but strangely enjoyable too.

3 Stars (8/15)

Favorite Track: Emily

Very chill

Orchestral folk. This is a lush and beautiful album. Cosmia is my favorite.

Ta raro

Interesting, but a little weird. Harp. I dunno. 3*

The fuck even is this? Not sure but I liked a couple of tracks

Viajante no espaço. Trilha de JRPG. único.

Disorganized, dissonant, but somewhat inspired.

This album is artsy and hypnotic. Joanna Newsom’s voice sounds like the precursor to the cursive singing found in the 2010s, but her voice has a twinge of fragility that feels like she’s trying to imitate blue-eyed soul singers from the 60s/70s (don’t make that joke). It also feels like Bjork’s voice. In terms of the tracks, there’s only 5, but each of them are sprawling epics one could get lost in. They remind me of when Greek writers would pass down their stories orally, and it seems like Joanna tips her hat to that. This album gets a 3.5/5. It’s a good album, though I have no idea if I’ll have an opportunity to listen to this more than once.

interesting but kind of boring

This felt like someone was trying to distract me. Like it was captivating and skillful but it kept going where I wanted to turn around and see if maybe they had someone else trying to break into my safe and were buying time by elaborating in the music. Interesting listen.

I'm a fan of her stuff, I love Sprout & The Bean off her debut. This is quite Avant Garde and not to everyone's tastes, but absolutely unique and not derivative. 5 tracks, 55 minutes. Not on Spotify either - had to find it on YouTube.

She’s more punk than most of the punk on here. Though she’s not for me.

Decent listen.

Albums like these are the best part of this project. I would never seek this out normally, and it's not really my style, but it's clearly a good album. Based on my personal taste, I would give this two stars, based on the uniqueness and technical quality, I should give it four. So I'll go down the middle and give it three.

Unique and different. I liked the folky feel, but it is not something I can see myself wanting to listen to very often.

Strange and kind of ok for at least one listen

Listened Before? N Seems interesting reading the description but it is unavailable on Spotify so I'm just giving it a 3. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: None because I can't

I wish this was on Spotify because its good such a continuous vibe, that is being ruined by YouTube ads. But its good, and its different than I thought it would be. But good.

You know the drill by now

Very cerebral listen - lots of clever poetry over harp-driven, orchestral soundscapes

I'd never heard of her but found it quite good...unique with hints of Bjork. Some tracks better than others but I'll be listening again.

When my girls were little we took them to this Butterfly Festival at a nature preserve. You know very hippyish. There was this little old lady there singing on stage and it had this ethereal sound that filled the trees ... this sounds like that!

Cava. Past wat binnen z'n tijd, met Regina Spektor en de vroege jaren van Florence & the Machine als tijdgenoten. 2.5

I liked this more than I thought I would. Like a cross between Kate Bush and Regina Spektor?

Reasonable

Oke.. Een alternatief album van 5 nummers maar wel een uur.. Dat klinkt niet best. Volgens de omschrijving van apple music gaat het om excentrieke prachtfolk. Ik houd wel van folkrock.. Past dat hier ook in? Het is hele aparte muziek.. Maar niet vervelend. Ze heeft een bijzondere stem. Niet perse erg mooi, maar wel krachtig. Ergens ga ik hier wel goed op. Het heeft wat middeleeuws, maar toch ook niet. De nummers zijn overig niet echt van elkaar te onderscheiden, het is meer een 55 minuten durend ballad, die soms van melodie en ritme veranderd. Aan het eind begon ik mij wel wat te ergeren, het had net wat korter gemogen wat mij betreft. Maar al met al vind ik het wel 3 sterren waard. Het is echt wel eens wat anders dan normaal

6/10 Highlights: Emily

3/4

divertido, no agregué ninguna canción pero yo creo que vovleré a ponerlo entero de fondo para maquetear

Like Regina Spektor at a renaissance fair. I had no idea who Joanna Newsom was and found this album to be a really interesting experience. At times it was fantastic, I'm just not sure how much I'll want to listen again. Still though...respect.

Unique emotive voice, this makes me think of Bjork as a folk singer songwriter. Songs are good but do run together. One of those albums I might not often be in the mood for, but leaves a powerful impact when listened to.

Joanna walked so Anais could run. 2.8.

There is an obvious unorthodox beauty to this album. The instrumentation carries the album along in an ethereal state. Whilst I catch glimpses of lyrical genius across the album I get a sense that I'd need to study the lyrics more to recognise just how clever they are, yet that isn't quite how I feel music should be digested. I'm also a sucker for the 3m30-5 min song construction variety which Newsom clearly isn't!

Long winded

Very unique and interesting at parts. I enjoyed the instrumentation but wasnt a huge fan of Newsom's singing. The songs also meandered a bit. Overall- not really for me. 2.5/5

Bonus points for marrying Andy Samberg