Ys

There were moments in this album that I enjoyed, but I felt that it dragged on far too long. I do enjoy long tracks at times, but I don't believe that the fairytale magic here worked on me.

First listen

Newsom's voice immediately stood out to me. While I'm not totally into the tone of her voice, her dynamics and melodies are amazing. I love the build-up parts where the orchestra swells, then dies down to reveal the acoustic guitar. I might look more into this side of folk. Favorite songs: Emily, Sawdust and Diamonds.

Whoa ! This is something else, not your usual hits and radio friendly music. If you are a close minded person don't even give it a try . If you want background noise then skip it. It needs time to digest it, to get yourself familiar with her voice, arrangements and the wonderland where this album lives in. Once the initial shock pass one can discover the wonder of this fairy tale inform of music, only more complex, unusual and unique. "Monkey and Bear" is my favourite song of the album.

Strange, not super great, she doesn't even seem like that great of a singer, and I don't think I would want to listen to it again.

It’s not bad but the songs are too long. And it reminds me of Björk which is very bad.

It was my first time listening to Joanna Newsom, and it won't be my last. Really fantastic and unique sounds, both in instrumentation and vocals. Ignoring the timeline of releases, I'll instead cite comparisons to music I was already familiar with. I immediately felt a connection with Newsom's musical style, feeling similarities in structure, not style, to the likes of Lisa O'Neill or Junior Brother. Yes, I'm aware that I'm picking artists known for their unique and distinct voice, but it's more about how they form fragmented, sometimes staccato and polyrhythmic melodies around their mad-sounding vocals. I also see similarities to Kate Bush and Fiona Apple. Strong lyricism and free-flowing melodies that again seem to form around the vocals, rather than driving them. The entire album structure is a huge gamble too. With only 5 songs, ranging in duration from 7 to 17 minutes, it sounds like it'll require effort to get through. But it doesn't. It's immensely easy to sit through, very enjoyable, and keeps me on my toes the entire way through. Newsom's voice juxtaposed with the beautiful harp and orchestration is a perfect blend. Deserves a 4.5 star rating.

This was interesting but not for me. I found the lyrics a bit too dense and while they sounded illustrative and thoughtful it was all just too much and went over my head. I just couldn’t connect with this and would like to revisit another time.

Litt Bjørk / Joni Mitchell i middelalderen + strykere. Blir veldig monotont i lengden.

Nope. A thousand times nope. I'm sure somewhere this is deeply meaningful to people. And maybe it would have become that way for me if her voice and singing style had not been so grating. Temu-Bjork. The instrumentation is chaotic and the 'songs' never end. May have worked better as a spoken word album? And oh ya - boo you have to go to Youtube to find this and the ads and frequent and awful. Took me 6 weeks to finally clear this one...glad its over. 1/5

Really good

Adele if she was good

Interesting music but I'm just not a fan of the alternative indie vocals. I couldn't finish the album.

Only skin

Would be great at a renaissance festival.

Didnt get very far with this. The lyrics are interesting(ish) but the voice boils my swede. As i advance in years i find it easier to dismiss interesting voices. Not for me and i suspect it never will be.

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

Two stars, because one is reserved for acts with absolutely no musical talent. She has talent, but needs to be released into the woods.

I really did not like this!

Japidi

I hated this at first but once you get used to her voice this album is pleasant and calming.

Argh purée c'était pénible à écouter. Habituellement j'aime les longues chansons mais ici c'était un vrai calvaire.

Some beautiful moments on here, but they're just absolutely buried by twee, faux-intellectual, self-indulgement, cringey garbage. Her voice gets really grating after a while. I have tried for years to like this stuff and have come to the conclusion that I just don't.

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

Didn't like her voice from the first cu but need to listen to the rest of the album.

Really did not enjoy this album. “Sawdust & Diamonds” had cool instrumentation. The squeaky thing she does with her voice occasionally is grating. “Rambling” is just about the kindest thing I can say about it.

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.

There's a lot of albums on here I'm deeply familiar with I give 5s to because they bring so much joy; on the other hand this is an album I'll give a 5 to because of how much it devastates me every time. I always love a lyrically dense songwriter and Joanna Newsom is maybe the most lyrically dense songwriter on this whole list, with words so allusion and symbol heavy you could write multiple disserations on "Monkey & Bear" and "Sawdust and Diamonds" alone. I could see the storytelling being grating....if it wasn't backed by moments of pop-level clarity: "But still, they have got to pay the bills, hadn’t they?” "Why the long face?" "And all those lonely nights down by the river..." I'll leave the interpretations up to you, but if you're not moved alone by incredible orchestral arrangements and/or use of treble-heavy harp motifs to their maximum effect here I'll be judging you a little bit. Or, maybe to put it more gently: If you can get through "Cosmia" without getting at least a little teary, you're a stronger person than I am. Ys is a late era folk revival album that's not-so-secretly some of the highest art we're going to get on this list, and if all you can hear is "wow Joanna Newsom sings kinda funny", well, that's on you.

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.

Ys this a joke?

++: Emily, Monkey & Bear, Cosmia +: Sawdust & Diamonds, Only Skin 7,9/10

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 really don't know how to feel about this

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.

I tried. The combination of Newsom's voice and the orchestration made this sound like the soundtrack to a slightly odd Disney movie. The bits they don't release for the singalong album. The orchestration in particular I found really grating. I could cope with her voice – heck, I gave Medúlla four stars – but in concert with the strings (oh, the strings...) and the lack of apparent structure it was just too much for me. I didn't finish it. I'm sorry, I do try to do that for every album, but I couldn't manage it here. I know there are people who love this. Good on you for loving it. I'm sure there's stuff I love that you dislike as well. That's as it should be. But I never want this to darken my door again.

If Bjork made a musical.

Incredible album, can't believe it has less than a 3 average rating

Not my style. ★★

Why make twelve minute long songs when you are going to repeat the same musical phrase over and over again?

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.

A very interesting album that I certainly believe deserves to be on this list. However, not my kind of thing.

Wow, this was amazing. It’s a shame it’s not on Spotify because it will never be in my rotation.

I love the album cover, but the baby voice in cursive is hard to listen to.

Thought this one was interesting! Very lyrical story telling. Wish we could give half stars but I’ll round up.

I liked this whimsical little album. Her vocal tone bordered on being too nasal for me, but it does fit the music really well so I can let it slide. I loved the instrumentation and especially the harp - so ethereal. This felt like a fairy tale. Bonus points because Joanna Newsom is married to Andy Samberg and I love that for them. 8/10.

Why is the shortest song on this album 7 mins long? At first I was like okay a folk album sweet ready for fall witchy vibes, but then I got bored. I actually had to stop listening because it was putting me to sleep while I was trying to work. I get that this is some people's vibe, just not mine.

Harps kinda neat.

Using my god given right of the one star to smack this album into the worst of the list category. Sorry not sorry Joanna... I think the instrumentation was pretty great, but Mrs Newsom came in like a typhoon with her theater kid annunciation and tanked everything to shit. The songs went onnnn and onnnnn... like oh my god, can we wrap it up here. Like I see the vision, but the only way Id listen to this again is if I were drunk off of mead in a tavern somewhere. 2.5/10

Whimsical banger.

The longest 5 song album ever. Jesus.

big fan of the words she's saying, whatever they mean.

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.

Weird but good

3 Stars (8/15)

I think you just have to give into the music for this one. These tracks are long, beautiful, repetitive, lyrical, slightly frustrating etc. but on the other side I found myself having a positive experience, and I’m sure the lyrics are very poetical but I don’t think I’m going to do a deep dive tbh. Skin was a little too long even for this album but I enjoyed all the rest and Sawdust and Diamonds made me feel emotional so thats something as well. 4/5

One of the side effects of having to resort to YouTube to hear the day's album is happening upon a comments section made up of those who are listening of their own free will, rather than at the behest of an almighty album-generating overlord. The comments section for 'Ys' is full of people who *really* like it, often in a 'this record changed my life' kinda way. Listening to it for the first time, I think I get why it could be that sort of album for some people. It's kind of beguiling (in the way that harps and strings often can be, when used well), and its unwieldy scope and structure also help give it a sense of otherworldliness - of something new and different, maybe containing wisdom from beyond this realm? It's unique enough to certainly be a valid candidate for a list of must-hear albums, whether you enjoy the music or not. Me? This kind of stuff is often up my street, and there are times where I can definitely feel the magic. I wasn't entranced the whole time, but I didn't get bored either, despite the song lengths, which feels like a success. There's still a lot more to unpack, both musically and lyrically, and maybe at some point I'll dedicate the time to doing that. Frankly, I doubt I'll reach the same level of worship found in the YouTube comments section... but then again I might, so I want to hedge my bets, just in case.

N

but we have björk at home the björk at home

The global review rating was 2.8 when I wrote this. In the reviews I read, people seem to either love this or hate this. I wish you could see the distribution of ratings but most of the scores that I saw seemed to land on 1 star or 5 stars. I am guessing by the cumulative average rating there are more haters. While hate is a strong word, count me in this group. I dare you to listen to the vocals on this album and try to avoid picturing a child-aged Shirley Temple singing "On The Good Ship Lollipop".

Spotify did not have this one. I worked around it and listened to some of her other songs. I also listened to other artists’ renditions of her songs. What a great surprise!

So this album got selected the same day I was having a family party, so it was impossible for me to make time and listen to it. So I decided to listen to it the following day. The thing is, the next day, I had a 12 hour car trip, so I initially though it would be a geat opportunity to give this record all the time of the world and come with a review the same date. Unfortunately, this album is so quite, that I couldn't understand anything with how loud the car was. Had to postpone the review again... After 3 days, I finally had time to listen to the album and boy I was surprised. This album is beautfiful and weird, and it's all due to the singing style, which is the main trait of the whole project. Joanna Newsom vocals are very special. It reminded me a lot to Björk. Very striking and very satisfying to listen to, specially when she hits some of the chord progressions. Another thing about it is that her lyrics are worth reading, as they paint some wonderful scenes. But this this not only Joannas' voice and lyrics works. The orchestra that backs her up is also quite wonderful. In conclusion, this is a very interesting, wonderful and unique record, with its only problem being the how long the songs are. If it was bit shorter, it could be 5 stars, but for now, I have to leave it at 4.

Favorite Track: Emily

Very chill

It's weird to say the least. I feel like it has a good story throughout the album but I'm not honestly sure the message. Very much folk music, it isn't mastered badly but not good enough to redeem itself completely. Behind the voices isn't too much instrumental, it's more-so a method of enhancing the story being told. Not my kind of music.

“Am I hearing noise from the hull, Seven days out to sea”. I mean, c’mon, how can you not love that. This music is crazy and wonderful and annoying and transporting and challenging and refreshing (and other stuff too, I’m sure). Not sure if it’s the harp or the lyrics or the heavy consonants emphatically enunciated at the end of most of the rhymes or the imagery it conjures or her ‘not-at-all-perfect-but-good-enough-because-you’re-all-we-have-left-after-the-plague-ripped-through-town’ voice or the harp (it’s the harp!) but I feel like a dirty peasant, piling muck and ignoring my flea bites, rueing the coming day because the tax collector is going to be in town and I blew all my coins on mead last night and I can’t pile this muck fast enough to get enough coins before tomorrow so I may have to go off into the woods to hide for a few days but there’s been a wolf around so that’s not great and my wife has been eyeing up the stable boy and I’m getting old and sports cars haven’t been invented yet, so a mid-life (I’m 25!) crisis looks more like mead and tears in my (hay) pillow after everyone else is asleep and that’s not getting rid of this existential feeling of dread that I’m meant for lore than this ‘muck-and-mead’ life I’m living - that’s how this music feels to me. So, yeah, 4/5

Once again, Mike expressed it so much better than I ever could. On this one, we totally agree.

I've listened to this album so many times. When I saw this pop up in my list, I was certain that most people would dislike her: the voice, the weird musical timing/wording and, honestly, spoken poetry. Understandably, not for everyone. I am one who has loved her music/songs for years and will continue to look forward to anything she's putting out. Today, I listened to this album 3 times, with an emotional response each time. But I do understand that many would not like her at all. I am just in the other camp: I love this. Give me more.....

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

Ta raro

It was really different to everything else. It reminded me of Aurora. It was nice to listen to, next time I might pay closer attention to the lyrics

Not my cup of tea.

Reminds me of a Renaissance fair. 2 stars.

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

Respect for the clear talent, but the package is really difficult to get through at times.

This album made me disoriented. I’m tempted to give it a 2 star almost as much as a 4 star. I should give it three stars I suppose, but that is too average a score for this. Screw it, it’s creative and weird. Bonus point.

Hipster trash

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

Nope. Big nope. I couldn't make it past a few minutes into each song. She sounds like the Evil witch from Snow White singing.

Viajante no espaço. Trilha de JRPG. único.

Awesome folk album

Yikes!

That was a tough one.

Interesting instrumentation but didn't love her voice for sure.

Disorganized, dissonant, but somewhat inspired.

Unfair for me to rate the album as folk is not my genre.

4/5. This one really struck a chord with me. Newsom's voice has a unique quality to it.

Strange, but not bad

Loved it, start to finish

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.

I wasn’t really looking forward to this when it popped up with just 5 tracks coming in at nearly an hour but it was something of a revelation. Slow and ever developing prog-folk and baroque pop weaves a tapestry of wonderful music that reminded me of someone like The Mummers whose music also enraptured me from the very beginning. With tracks ranging from 7 to 17 minutes it’s not one you can just pop on and listen to in the background; it demands attention but rewards you for it. I’ll be returning to this and her for sure!

One of the oddest (in an amazingly good way) artists out there today

Irritating, like Quint's fingernails on the chalkboard in Jaws.

30 seconds in, I thought "'Ys? How about Ns?" Honestly though, after the first 10min I was wondering if this was going to play like the Barbie movie: pretty entertaining for the first 15 minutes as a unique concept but terribly overdone thereafter. However, I really enjoyed the pace and structure of this album - segment the record with 5 10min cohesive segments. I can only imagine the amount of time it would take to write and record this. Gotta listen to the Muppet Show Theme Music later. 4/5

Listening Notes: Ooh I think these vocals are super intriguing. And harps? How fun! Review: Not writing so much here, but this was dope. I enjoyed thoroughly and would relisten if it was on spotify.

New age-y harp music was not something I was expecting to have cross my ears as part of this project, and yet, here we are. Surprisingly enjoyable, but it started from a low bar I will see. If I could, I'd give this a 3.5 stars, but it was good enough to justify rounding up.

Not a great start. She can’t sing and it’s too whimsical

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 first heard Joanna Newsome from the movie The Strangers. As soon as I heard Sprout and the Bean I had to look her up. Then Peach, Plum, Pear became an ear worm for me for a long time. Anyway never listened to this one before. Something about her sound pings my brain. A history of listening to folk music, musicals of the 1940s and 50s, music of the Guzheng or the Gayageum. It all keeps me along for this ride. I checked to see if the track lengths bothered me. They didn't. Gave it two full listens. The poetic lyrics painted slide shows of pictures in my mind.

I may have heard 𝘰𝘧 Joanna Newson, and filed her under some indie critics' darling, I think?, but never her music. So glad this changed today. Whoa. Never expected anything like this. What is it even? In the lineage of Kate Bush and circa Tori Amos, but Folk Prog? Whatever the possible label, this is gorgeous, simply wonderful. This is: I need to visit my record dealer tomorrow and see if he has this. Because I will need to listen to it a lot more in the future, all of the future (not willing to release on Spotify is an extra 0.5 rating points these days). And wrap myself in it. Notwithstanding some weird squeaks in the otherwise enchanting singing performance (or whatever happens in the first note of "Only Skin"?), the sum of it all might be the finest and most important album this side of the year 2000 the generator has introduced me to. I love this.

Oh boy... I couldn’t help but picture a tiny field mouse with comically oversized glasses, perched on a harp, belting out these songs. I thought i could get into his but no I couldn't.

In short bits this could be listenable. I liked the music at points. I didn’t find the vocals repellent at all times. A lot of the time though. It was interesting but every track was just too much.

I really disliked her voice.

I hated this. I hated her voice. I hated how long and meandering the songs are. I hated the arrangements, the recording, and just about everything else. Somehow she took everything I hate about Bjork and made it possibly worse. Wait, I don't think it's possible to get worse than Bjork, but it's bad.

Я визнаю, що я не шарю. Це цікава музика, в якій можна багато чого шукати, але для мене вона занадто арті і мені не до душі вокальні виконання.

Дуже неординарний альбом, який вміє дивувати. Джоанна Ньюсом створює тут певну казкову атмосферу, але при цьому ти розумієш що ця казка - доросла. Авант-поп, 5 довгих пісень, цікаве аранжування. Музика, яку цікаво досліджувати.

What is this? Sounds like an Adam Sandler comedy bit 2+-

Meh

Que LINDO! Sem palavras, não conhecia nada! A harpa, a voz, as letras, tudo é perfeito!!!!

I have no clue how someone could conceptualize this album in 2006 as a 24 year old because it sounds like it's from the 1500's and we're on a pirate ship sailing the seas. There is such an incredible whimsical approach with lyrics that are more similar to Ye Olde English than anything we typically hear today. Her metaphors and analogies are so unusual that it makes it difficult to keep up with what the heck is going on in any of the 10+minute songs. Use of vocabulary is exceptional because it's just so out of place for today. This really is musical poetry and each time I hear an unusual analogy, I have to go back and try and figure it out. Like in Monkey & Bear, when the bear is frolicking in the sea and the bear's shedding it's clothes, which "fell off as easy as if sloughed from boiled tomatoes". Ok it's easy when it's written, but when you randomly hear her talking about boiled tomatoes in a song, you wonder how we got here. Also, she plays the harp. WHAT?! Honestly it seems unfair to have this album on a list with some of the more vapid, well known singers. Popular singers certainly have more public sway, but in terms of true artistic ability and value, I find this album on a completely higher plane.

dziwne sluchanie, album niedostepny na spotifaju, wiec wersja jutubowa, a jest to dziwne polaczenie bo folk, pani grajacej na harfie, dochodza do tego inne instrumenty i chorkowanie, ale centralnym elementem instrumentalnym jest wlasnie harfa, co nadaje nagraniu jakiejs bardowatosci, bo przypomina to cos co sie slyszy w gierkach gdy zachodzi sie do karczmy i elfie grajki umilaja ludzia wieczory opowiesciami, opowiesicami, bo na 55 minutowym albumie jest zaledwie 5 trakow, z czego jeden ma prawie 17 minut, wlasnie na only skinie poczulem jak bardzo kontent spiewano opowiadany gdzies omija mnie bokiem, bo nawet zaczytujac tekst jakos nie moge sklecic z tego nic, nie jest to jakis mega stary klasyk, bo rocznik 06, co jeszcze bardziej dziwi jak przebil sie do mainstreamu, czy sam ten klimat i unikalnosc wystarczyla, a moze jest tu tyle ukrytego znaczenia, ze kazdy cos dla siebie wygrzebie, a tylko mnie jakos nie wciaga, jak teraz widze te okladke, to sam art zapowiada jak nagranie bedzie upchane wszystkim i niczym jednoczesnie, ciezka to byla walka, bo nie wiem ile razy bylo replejowane zeby dosluchac, ale skonczone i nadal nie kupiony, ulubiona historia to o malpa i niedzwiadek, idzie na plejke z dziwnosciami z listy

Listens: 3 Standout tracks: Emily, Bear and Monkey Well this is certainly unique and off the beaten trail from what you normally get from the List. "Baroque Showtunes" , with a orchestral quality, steeped in heavy metaphoric, symbolic, poem-style lyrics, with a great use of harp and other string instruments. It's wild this was produced in 2006. I really liked this. It's clear Joanna really poured her soul into this album. I enjoy how her voice squeaks or cracks at the high notes and beginnings of stanzas. There's something about the quality of her voice that I cant quite place, someone she sounds like (or someone who sounds like her). Edit: Retroactively bumping this up to a 5. This album has become a guilty pleasure, mostly because I am pretty sure anyone for whom I would play this music in front of would look at me like I have 3 heads. But fuck the haters.

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.

Wonderfully unique. It's not the most accessible album but clearly a masterpiece. Newsom has an unusual singing voice that would be grating were the compositions weaker, but they are perfect for the dreamlike fantasy atmosphere that the whole album gives off. Also, why don't we hear more harp in popular music? It's superb here. One of the best things about this album is the production. Steve Albini is one of the best producers out there, but this might be his best work. Honestly might be the best produced album I've ever heard. It really allows Newsom's vocals to shine. As a huge fan of prog rock, I was curious what progressive folk would be like. Turns out I love it. I hope it's not that unique, so I can find more like this.

beautiful and inventive compositions and playing (especially the strings) a voice packed with emotion, some damn pathos! another album i had listened to in previous years and left unimpressed but revisiting it i agree wholeheartedly with all the praise it's received

I tried, I could not get behind the sound. I get it’s a very well written album but it requires a SERIOUS acquired taste. Not for me

good music, terible voice

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

I give her points for originality, but I don't need this in my life.

I somehow never sat down and listened to a whole album by Joanna before today. I can't believe what I've been missing. This album is magical. Thanks for the recommendation.

Siempre he querido tener este disco en formato físico y nunca he podido encontrarlo. Transmite magia ya desde la portada, pero si lo escuchas con atención parece transportarte a otro lugar con esos arreglos orquestales tan barrocos. Además, el harpa es un instrumento tan especial que apuesto a que nunca has escuchado nada igual. 4'5/5

Decent listen.

“Mom can we listen to Björk?” “We have Björk at home.” Björk at home:

astonishing album, otherworldly instrumentation and dramatic lyricism really creates a picture in my head, the medieval sounding harp makes it feel so good

i fuck with this... laulava nainen kuuluu erittäin selvään boxiin. laulutyyli voidaan kategorioida helposti: en uskalla avata suuta tarpeex koska en oikeaasti ole hyvä laulaja mutta olisi taiteen kannalta parempi olla rohkea kuin tämmöinen inisijä... kursiivilaulaminen on valtavirran käyttämä terminologiaa eikä edes sovi tähän tilanteeseen. tosiaan se on aika suuri heikkous tässä ettästotas harmillista koksa tykkään muuten ja en yleensä tällaisesta (pretentious) musiikista tykkää... asenteeni on ilmeisesti sopiva tällä hetkellä tähän oikukkaaseen tyttöpaskaan. wowowoowaowoaowaooawo emily

Too weird for me. The vocals are horrid, like a child learning to play the violin

Second most overrated band of all time

I tried but the arrangements were all over the place

I'll never listen to this again. It's all too much. The vocal inflections, the orchestra, the theatrical lyrics make it hard to enjoy the album as a suite.

THIS WAS SO GOOD WHAT PUT THIS ON STREAMING NOW SO I CAN PLAY IT ALL THE TIME

If I could rate this lower than 1 star I would. Sounds like Adam Sandler when he's singing ridiculous songs in his movies. Awful.

I’d been looking forward to this one because I didn’t know any of her music at all but I knew people really like her. No clue on the genre or anything. It turned out I hated this. I couldn’t stand her voice and every song sounded the same. Sad.

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.

"Ys" is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Joanna Newsom. Progressive folk, indie rock, baroque pop, avant pop and indie rock are the Wiki-listed genres. Yes, I guess...more on that later. The album has five tracks, which deal with events and people in Newsom's life including a sudden death of a best friend, a continuing illness and a tumultuous relationship. Newsom has also stated that Roy Harper's "Stormcock" was an inspiration for the album. The album was produced by Newsom and Van Dyke Parks. Bandmembers included Newsom (harp, vocals, pedal harp), Lee Sklar (bass), Grant Geissman (guitar), Donna Heffington (percussion), Matt Cartsonis (banjo, mandolin), Van Dyke Parks (accordion) and Terry Schonig (marimba, cymbalom). The album had universal acclaim and, commercially, hit #134 in the US and #41 in the UK. "Emily" begins the album. Strings and harp accompany Newsom's voice. It's a song about her sister, Emily, and their differences. The sky, meteors and light are used to help describe the differences. The production sounds like it was recorded in the 1930's/1940's. I kind of like that. A flute is added to "Monkey & Bear. It's a story about the exploitation of the bear by the monkey and, in song bigger sense, about the desire for freedom and the consequence of escape and the illusion of liberty. In "Only Skin," Newsom's voice sounds like Kate Bush. This story involves a soldier and a female character (lover/Mother) who tries to heal his damages but can't. This album can best be described as Newsom's personal poetry reading accompanied by music that is primarily a harp, strings, and other mostly acoustic instruments. I guess that puts it in s folk category of sorts. The stories are allegories to bigger and more personal meanings. The music is sparse but accentuates the lyrics appropriately. This is not an album that you can play in the background and hope that you like it; it requires some work listening but the reward is there with her intricate stories and larger meanings. An album that is not for everyone but poetry, folk or any music fans can find this to be quite an album. I eventually did.

Well, this is a thing that happened. She really did that. Is she trying to be like Bjork? I made it like 25 minutes and I think I'm good. Thanks but no thanks.

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

Couldn't listen, not on platforms

very whine-y vocals, not a ton of dynamics/range

I'm sorry, I could not.

Strange and kind of ok for at least one listen

Not an artist I've heard of before so this was new. A sort of prog folk album with some very long songs. A bit inaccessible but some pleasant passages in many of the songs. Just not for me.

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 loved this one, don’t get the awful record here. It felt like symphonic poetry. I could easily either get lost in the eloquently written and delivered verses while picking apart the meaning or get swept away to a whimsical works of fantasy with the sweeping orchestral arrangements. Already listened to it twice through yesterday and foresee more to come.

Jokes on you 1001albumgenerator, not only have I heard this album in full before but it’s one of my very favorites. I became obsessed with the song sawdust and diamonds around 2018 and when I tell you I played it every single day I truly mean it. Joanna has no music on Spotify so I turned to my trusty YouTube album that I have bookmarked and favorited. It’s such a gorgeous album. Her haunting voice plus her prose like lyrics, means that I love this album in the same way I love albums by Joni Mitchell and Regina Spektor. If you love medieval music (because I listen to bardcore more often than I’d probably admit) you will absolutely adore this album. The fact that she’s playing the harp makes her singularly a bard or a fairy or an elf or some combination of the three. This album makes me feel like I’m being awoken from an ancient time. There’s so much that shouldn’t work but it does or that could become cheesy but it doesn’t! It’s perfect and glorious and I love it. Thanks for giving me another reason to listen to a favorite today :)

Did not like this at all. She’s like an annoying bard

Beautiful trip through a fairytale. I’ve been meaning to listen to her for a while so glad this was thrown in my path. Very hard to digest after a listen. I feel like I could say that after 5 listens. This is definitely one to listen to as a whole rather than throwing on a song every now and then. Rating: 4.5

As Andrew said, "I was waiting to get bored but never did." Each one of Joanna Newsom's songs on Ys go through a fantasy-esque quest, weaving intricate harp and orchestral lines with vivid and substantial lyrics.

Modernized Disney princess music with dense lyrics Highlights: Emily, Only Skin

I lasted 30 minutes and couldn't do any more. I actually enjoyed the harp but the vocals were not for me.

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.

Bjork goes to the Renaissance Faire. Only partially kidding. I honestly became distracted with the style of music (no chorus, no repeating lines, pure poetry to music) and the abstract orchestral backing. That is until I felt an urge to see what she was doing live… I visited the video below and saw her sitting solo with her harp and belting her unusual lyrics. It became clear that she is dripping with talent, she manages the harp expertly and creates some really impressive music, while belting out lyrics in strange, yet beautiful fashion. I was sucked into the whole thing. And then the crowd roars at the end and makes me realize that people saw something truly special there. This is not my type of music, but I am deeply appreciative of it. https://youtu.be/RS3Z_hU4GL4

Not my type

Bit Bjorky, all orchestral and dramatic and taking unexpected turns. About 10-20 % was great when everything worked in sync but a lot of the time it seemed to be random ideas thrown together. Largely interesting but not worth a second listen. 2.5.

A hard listen. A meandering Kate Bush. I didn't appreciate the lyrics; just lots of noises and rambles. The commitment to musical surprise was admittedly fun. Songs are a bit more interesting when they have very little structure. Having said that, absolutely will never come back, nor consider her again.

Certainly interesting, probably more interesting than good. Although, I didn't particularly dislike it, it's just a bit too different for me to really enjoy it. Parts reminded me a little of Fiona Apple, 1 song in particular more of Bjork. Think sawdust and diamonds was probably my favourite 2

Zelda-sec at times, beautiful composition but not my cup of tea.

You know the drill by now

Holy hell that was terrible. I don’t know how I got through it.

🐣💚

Going to start by giving Newsom some credit here- she definitely tried and succeeded to make whatever it was she wanted to make with this album. Whether or not that's a good thing is a little more open to interpretation. As you can probably tell by that comment, I didn't particularly enjoy this very much. It was weird in a way I couldn't get into, and it felt like that was the point more than anything- being weird/different just to be weird/different. If harp is her main instrument, and folk singing is her main style, then that's more than fine. But it sounded like she didn't want people to think it's fine on her behalf, so she did a bunch of stuff to make it seem not fine. But then is also telling you it actually is fine, you just don't get it. That's a lot of assumption on my part, but I guess something about it has that pretentious/privileged vibe to me. Which in my mind doesn't really gel with the folk ideology, a separate issue. Perhaps it just means I really don't "get" it. I think she likely had a little too much freedom to do what she wanted with the whole thing. It sounds like she had ideas that should've been separated into a number of different songs instead of being crammed into one, or at least pared down and made more cohesive. If someone had been there to reign her in on it, I think it would've been more manageable. There's a fine line between hampering creativity and tasteful direction, so maybe that was a sticking point too. What she made instead sounds like a weird combination of bard's tale/ren faire/folk poetry. On a more positive note, there were little snippets here and there that I enjoyed a lot. At least one part of Emily and a later portion of Only Skin stood out to me as enjoyable and interesting. They made me think there's a version of this that I would like quite a bit. But those parts were buried in the rest of what was going on, making it hard to give them too much attention. I think that was part of my issue; there was just too much musical rambling going on for me. I'm trying to use this as list an exercise to broaden my tastes and learn to appreciate different styles/artists more, but I don't think this one is going to win me over. Taking my own feelings out of it, I can say Newsom accomplished something interesting and memorable here. I don't find it very good, though. Overall: 1.8/5

Lyrical, ren-faire-ish music. Bjork adjacent, but doesn't hit the same. She has a good voice, but not for me, 2* Not giving it 1* because I didn't hate it like some other albums on here, but I never need to listen to this again.

More cowbell! I mean, more harp! Good Lord, call me a philistine, but I just don’t get this. Another reviewer saying that she sounds like Carol Kane impersonating Regina Spektor would be funnier if it weren’t true. There are some real “nails-on-the-chalkboard” moments here. And the album is nearly 56 minutes long, consisting of only five songs…you do the math! Needless to say, I couldn’t get all the way through any of these. The snobs can keep this one; I give it two generous stars.

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

A propulsive, complex and beautiful record. One of my favs!

I am very familiar with Joanna Newsom's work and didn't mind this album but would have to say l prefer ( and recommend) her album The Milk Eyed Mender

Obviously an acquired taste. Bland songs and grating vocals.

Ys please

This was not good. I can not stand her voice. It sounded like I was a pixie running around a DnD campaign but like nothing exciting happens. Sure the story telling was a cool concept but bleh. I bet I could fall asleep fast to this album. Liked Songs: idk...maybe "Cosmia"

Squeaky, avant garde, and mostly just too out there for me. At times, it felt like the vocals and instrumentals were two completely separate compositions. 1.5

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.

Her parents didn't let her listen to the radio or watch TV to protect her from "stupid stuff," so she married Andy Samberg--there's a cautionary tale for you. Anyway, this was excruciating. Could she try writing an actual song? And maybe do a little less wailing?

This is great, can't believe I've been sleeping on Joanna. Pretty much flawless. So lush, can't wait to dive back in and actually properly listen to the lyrical content too. Fave Tracks: Emily, Sawdust & Diamonds, Cosmia 4.9/5

Extremely unique compared to all the music I normally listen to, I enjoyed this immensely.

not for me right now

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!

Dad- 2 Mom- 5 Mike- 2 Lori- 3 Michael- 5 Miles- NA Cole- 6 Avg- 3.83

I know this is twee and niche but top marks: no one sounds like her. (Her next album is better though as she experiments with more of a band.) (42 known/88 new)

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

disjointed and she sings in cursive.

Terrible

I finished it. interesting perhaps. Not sure how to rate it though. 1-2 stars probably. Not sure I would ever put it on again. Not for me

Apparently she's married to Andy Samberg. I prefer The Lonely Island. The instrumentals were pretty but so...many...words. And that screech in her voice on the high notes kind of hurts my ears.

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

Bjork-esque, I really enjoyed this album. The vocal harmonies and string arrangements gave it an otherworldly. ethereal feeling.

Schöne Harfe

6/10 Highlights: Emily

имба. напомнило бьорк и группу мельница) жаль что нет на спотике(

3/4

This album is so dense it's impossible to truly rate it with just one listen. However, just on pure instinct, I think I enjoyed it. The musicianship and singing is on a virtuosic level. I also read Joanna played harp on the record, which is really cool. She is obviously extremely talented and I can't wait to dive into it again in the near future.

This has been weighing me down and I have out this off for a while since it’s not on Spotify. I really was hopeful after while starting the first song. Medieval country with interesting Joni Mitchell (a harmonic at times) type singing. But the voice grew grating and I didn’t care to much for the music. Sad.

Unnecessary. Has a Bjork-ish quality to it. Which isn’t a compliment.

Score: 8/10 | Favorite Track: “Monkey & Bear” Joanna Newsom’s Ys is a poetic and sprawling experience that asks a lot from the listener but often gives back even more. With just five tracks, she crafts an emotional and mythic journey full of harp flourishes, dense lyricism, and orchestral swells that make the album feel like a blend of ancient folklore and raw personal memory. “Emily” opens the album with an ambitious mix of astronomy, sisterhood, and grief, while “Sawdust & Diamonds” strips everything down to harp and voice for one of the most intimate and emotionally exposed moments on the record. The closer “Cosmia” floats somewhere between sorrow and acceptance, giving the album a sense of closure without tying it up too neatly. My personal highlight is “Monkey & Bear,” which blends theatrical storytelling with eerie metaphors in a way that feels both whimsical and deeply unsettling. It captures so much of what makes Newsom special: the ability to make fables feel emotional and strange but still human at the core. If there’s a weak spot for me, it’s “Only Skin,” which, despite some incredible lines and musical moments, occasionally loses focus under its massive runtime. Still, Ys is clearly one of those rare albums that you sit with, return to, and find new meaning in each time. It may not be an easy listen, but it is a memorable and rewarding one.

Pretentious shit, not finished

I feel like her voice is an acquired taste. Not for me at the moment. Maybe later. Two stars

DNF. Probably genius, just don’t get it. Will not return to it.

-absolutely mind-blowing work of art. this album hits like a truck every time -Joanna Newsom is a strong contender for one of my favorite lyricists of all time, and it’s exemplified here perfectly. and the fucking harps and orchestra?? incredible. such an ambitious album but pulled off perfectly, has moved me to tears a few times -Favorites are Emily, Monkey and Bear, and Sawdust and Diamonds

I just couldn't get into this one at all. It was just like one long string of random thought that just kept going and going. The music had a very medieval aethereal feel that I could enjoy. Her lyrics and voice were just so off and out of place.

Ys may sound like child’s play rubbish on first listen but it is actually a masterpiece of the highest caliber. Joanna Newsom is one of the most original voices from the 00’s. Squeaky, random, yet not, intelligent poetry, and with the contribution of Van Dyke Parks, orchestration that takes her harp based songs to an ethereal universe full of intrigue, magic and wonder. I’ve lived so deeply inside this album that at some point it might have healed my cold dead heart. These songs are parables and stories full of love for her sister (Emily), betrayal, manipulation and suicide (Monkey & Bear) and complex emotions (Sawdust and Diamonds) that only an adult with life experience can understand.

I appreciate the creativity of her lyrics and the artistry and soul in her performance. But this largely feels like a storybook being read/sung, and it's not a story I want to hear again. Her voice got annoyingly grating by the second song, and this was a slog to get through.

Pretty boring. Voice is kind of annoying. End part of first song sucks. Despite the instrumentals constantly changing they never become interesting. Voice feels more and more grating as this goes on. I’m not listening past the second song. This is so boring.

The cursive singing is hard to take and the tunes of the first three are uninteresting, but if you focus on the pretty instrumentals it's nice. Only Skin is pretty good, in parts. The end with the other singer reminded me of Hadestown. I like "I love you truly or I love no one". Cosmia - cool name and the most cohesive tune-wise throughout. Liked it.

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.

I found Ys by Joanna Newsom to be a difficult and ultimately unpleasant listen. Her childlike vocal style didn’t resonate with me at all, and the songs—long, winding, and seemingly directionless—failed to hold my attention. The album felt more like a test of patience than a musical journey. I won’t be revisiting it. Favourite Song: None stood out. Least Favourite: Honestly, the entire album. Album Artwork: It has a quirky, Tudor-inspired charm. I wouldn’t hang it on my wall, but it’s an amusing and memorable cover.

Not on Spotify. Not interested.

Lush orchestrations and a interesting voice. Some moments were a little sleepy but overall this was a memorable album. 3.7/5 -> 4/5

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.

I don't know what I am listening to and these songs are way too long. Personal enjoyment: 2/5 Relevance to this list: 2/5

Frankly her voice is annoying.

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!

Spotify didn’t have the song but it did have the muppets song which was a 10/10

This album is a cute for insomnia

The album isn't really my cup of tea but I could sea some of the songs possibly working in movies or if I was in the right mood. The string instruments occasionally sounded confusing or didn't match up with the rest of the song as did the lyrics, although her vocals weren't bad.

I levitated

One of the best of the 00s. Great lyrics, great music, original, much better singing than the Milk-eyed Mender.

Narrow niche for this... Not my cup of tea. But very satisfying to reach out to new forms of song expressions.

Another unnecessarily long album, and the first folk album I’ve gotten that I didn’t enjoy. Every song sounded pretty much the same and nothing really stood out to me. And I don’t feel the singer’s voice matches this style of music.

Long winded

Can't get into it, as much as one's tried. Lacks flows and variety. Seems more Carol Kane than Kate Bush. Maybe one should try another of her records.

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

Not for me at all

So mystical, I love the way the instruments are used and the cretive shape it have

One of the best albums of all time (thankfully we have it on vinyl)

No chance of listening to the album with my stream provider. It's probably not my genre either. And the music of The Muppet Show hasn't stuck in my mind/hearing as a must-listen either. I probably didn't miss anything. 2/5

Bonus points for marrying Andy Samberg

I think if I was 20 years older this would be my jam. But to me it sounds like a strange blend of Kate Bush, Amy Winehouse, and Joni Mitchell.

When your mom tells you “we have Bjork at home”… I liked the music and the lyrics seemed interesting but I couldn’t handle her vocals. Like at all. I tried. And tried. But every high squeak made me want to give up. 2/5

A struggle to get through. The instruments are good but wildly over powered by the vocals, which are disjointed and jarring throughout the album.

Better than Coldplay

Too Björky for me

God no.

No

Interesting, and you can see the talent, but also not my thing.

It wasnt on Spotify. But luckily I heard it when it came out. Good one even if I like her first album better.

Cant listen to this. Gives me a headache. But hear ELP, Yes, and other art rock in here, and it appears earlier than what sounds good to my ears.

Sadly has nothing to do with the game series. I'm going to be meaner to this than it probably deserves, on paper I should like it, but contemplating it I disliked every song. An avant-garde indie-folk album by a valley girl trying to Bjork, with 5 11 minute songs.

I can hear that there is music on here that I could like quite a lot. Unfortunately, none of it works for me in this context.

On a rainy Thursday in June, I was in exactly the right mood to listen to a mystical harp-playing fairy. Joanna Newsom writes beautiful poetry, dense with allusion and evocative imagery. Sometimes her lyrics are painfully poignant. It’s not on this album, but I think of her song Sadie, about the death of her childhood dog. On Ys she touches on some intense pain and it was kind of overwhelming. I focused on the lovely medieval-sounding folk music and it was a very nice soundtrack to a sleepy work from home day.

I want to like this album. I've read the reviews. I've watched Joanna and Andy Sandberg be adorable together. I've consumed harp lady content on youtube. I'm here and ready to like it this damn album as much as i like the orbit of culture swirling around it. But... I just don't get it. It doesn't click with me. I've tried to get into it several times over the years (including today). And I feel nothing. I think i'm actually starting to hate it? Which is the opposite feeling I want. Note: it's no small task checking out this album. It's not on streaming. You have to listen to it on Youtube. In this media landscape, that's insane. Why god won't this album connect with my brain? I've put in the time. I've done the work. I deserve to like this hour long folk harp oddesy... but I just don't. I will say this attempt has given me some clarity on why I kind of hate this album. I'm sad to say... it's her voice. It's grating and sorta childish. I can't handle it. It's like nails on a chalkboard to me most of the time. I can't even engage with the lyrics. I just feel annoyed by the voice. The best I can say about her vocals is that on the final song, Cosmia, there are a few nice refrains that didn't bother me. The rest is rough... especially track 1. On that song, her voice has ice-pick in the ear energy. I don't know how I didn't come to this realization the first 5 times I listened to this album. Perhaps i was blinded by hope and optimism, but now as a crotchety old man i see this thing for what it is... a beautiful folk classical instrumental album with a snotty 10 year old girl ranting over top, bringing down the vibe. What the hell man? I do hope that someday they release an instrumental version of this album. I think it would be a very nice listening experience, very pretty. Fingers crossed. Also, why the hell are the songs so long. There are only 5 damn songs on this thing and it's almost an hour long. That is a lot of pressure to put on 5 songs. I just don't think it works for me. It's probably a 1.5... but i'll give it a 2 for Andy.

Not available. Sad! Trying to catch up.

I gotta say I wasn't disappointed this content was not available on Spotify

Criminally low rating on this site, the album is MAGICAL and PERFECT

Joanna Newsom is an American musician that makes a unique version of progressive folk. Newsom uses the harp extensively, and she has a distinct voice, whose only close parallel is Bjork's. The combination gives her music the sound of shanties, in a particular way. Newsom's music has a quirky intensity that prompts another parallel to Bjork. Newsom's music is an interesting, raw version of folk, that is challenging at times. Her extensive orchestrations give the songs a dramatic, rich sound, and her compositions have an operatic sense.

2/5

Peculiar and gorgeous. I'm not sure if I'm smart enough to truly get into it but I do like what I hear

I couldn’t find the whole album which I think was a good thing

Her and Leonard Cohen have to be related. Absolute dreck.

Rating: 6/10 Some moments on here are truly breathtaking, the medieval sounding instrumentation and her voice can truly produce something incredibly beautiful. The issue with it is how meandering this album is, only 5 songs and 55 minutes is ridiculous when there are not that many ideas to justify this length. It seems like sometimes she just plays the same thing to fill up time but without purpose.

Too verbose but cosmia is great

Not my cup of tea. I can hear the expression just don't want to hear any of this.

I have to be in the right mood, but this is a really well done album.

Dang. This one's different. In more ways than one I guess. Like of course she herself is very unique. But more so I feel this one's different in that I reeeally wasn't into it haha, like her voice is like nails on a chalkboard, but at the same time, damn, this is an incredible album. She's good-weird like Kate Bush, but further, like zero regard for being marketable or the least bit poppy. Which I really admire. She's wholly singular. The music is so beautiful. God how I wish someone else was singing 😂. I'm not really sure how to rate this. She locked mad respect immediately but I never want to listen to this album again lol. Goin 4

As the Apple Music summary says, “there is no easy entry point”. Thankfully, it was pretty easy to find my exit.

Уникальная музыка, которая заслуживает сильно большего, нежели вот эту поебень с единицами. GET REAL. Лучшая песня - Emily.

Bjork's protege.... Rambling flow of consciousness song writing, pretty harp music with weak vocals

I really like this album, but I still can't help but feel like it is missing something, something to break up the storytelling and novel's worth of words. I will revisit it and the rest of her work, but I have a hard time giving it a 5 right now, though I could maybe give it a 4.5 if that was possible.

"We could stand for a century, staring, with our heads cocked in the broad daylight, at this thing, joy, landlocked in bodies that don't keep, dumbstruck with the sweetness of being." (I asked for this cd for Christmas the year it came out. I was wearing a Joanna Newsom shirt at the hospital the day my child was born. This album contains so much meaning and it means a lot to me. I know every word and just belted out "Only Skin" in the car like I was in a stadium.)

Not really music, more like poetry. Not very listenable. bumped to 2 for the writing.

It’s like the wish version of Bjork.

I checked out. Can’t do it. She’s obviously talented but these songs go nowhere. No rhythm or real melody, just medieval troubadour singing and wacky lyrics. Strong pass.

I absolutely love Joanna Newsom's whole thing. I am more familiar with Milk Eyed Mender, but I have heard this before, and I think this album is spellbinding. Firstly, and most controversially, I love her voice. I can see it being grating, but it just works for making the music seem like its in its own self contained world. This is the Ys' strongest factor to me, it is like Newsom builds this fey kingdom and invites the listener in. This is further achieved with the instrumental palette, all harp and violin and accordion, to name a few. Not to mention the detailed, lengthy compositions and vivid lyricism. I have no complaints about Ys, and I absolutely love it.

As others have stated, the voice is pretty off-putting. It just seems so artificial and weirdly impersonating a 1920's female movie star. It's not as bad as others make it out to be, and the backing instruments are kind of cool but it's tough to make it through the entire thing. 4.25/10 (2.125/5)

Not what the fucj I just listened to, but strangely interesting.

The voice reminds of Björk. The orchestral production is close to unbeatable.

wild ride lyrically and unique voice. What renaissance fair maidens want to be.

Album 780 of 1089 Joanna Newsom - Ys (2006) Rating : 1.5 / 5 Modern Folk Music. If nothing else, this was different and interesting. Made me think of a bizarro world Jewel.

I don't get it and I don't like it. Someone made the Bjork comparison and it's all I heard. Tuneless, idiotic noise.

Way better than I expected. Irritating voice with folk vibes but in a disturbing way. It's a pity (or maybe not) that I'm not able to get the lyrics on the fly.

If you told me it was from the 40's, I'd give it a 2 for effort.....but this is modern!? Crap. Its crap.

The reviews for this album on this site are insane - a 2.89 average? This album is stunning. I still really enjoy her debut album, but the songwriting and lyricism on Ys is such a step above. It’s a shame this is her only album on the list (if have put Have One On Me above Ys), but I’m glad people are getting a taste for one of the most brilliant artists of our generation. It still melts my head when I remember she’s married to Andy Samberg.

andy samberg, what a catch

I don’t think it works for me

Couldn't find it on spotify, but went to YouTube and was delighted to hear this woman's sound

I feel like a lot people don't understand this album. This is the woman who wrote The Muppets soundtrack. The woman who's married to Andy Samberg. She's that woman. Do you see now?

I will admit I did not listen to most of this. The music itself is fine but this woman's voice is borderline unbearable.

Horrible I simply hated it music cool back in the 1700s. Should never be mear a lost like this.

even the lyrics were boring

really enjoyed this one

"What if we made a Bjork album not featuring Bjork with a harpist from California?"

nao é pra mim

How did this lady get a record deal?

This is interesting. The musical arrangements are good, the production is great. It's only engaging me intellectually though. I don't feel much from it. I'm not crazy about her vocals, but they work fine for what she's doing. Adding this to the ever growing list of albums in this project that aren't my taste.

This is a meandering, idiosyncratic album (which already endears it to me), but it also has some real emotional weight behind it. Newsom's voice really complements the fanciful lyrics. This is one I will come back to, for sure. Favorite track: "Cosmia"

The vocals are shrill and harsh. The music lacks melody or cohesion. I think the songwriting is great. But the lack of interesting musicality undermines it all. It feels indulgent and purposefully obtuse. I can’t imagine listening to this and being like “this is what I need more of!” Things like this make me appreciate artists who challenge norms yet make interest and good music - like Tori Amos, David Byrne, David Bowie, PJ Harvey, etc. Escaped the 1 star realm only because the songwriting is strong and I think there’s some legitimate artistry here. But it made it just barely.

Not the cursive 💀 would be good if she wasn't singing.

Незвичний формат, і в цілому цікавий альбом. Але я не прихильник подібної техніки виконання, тому 4

Я багато чув про цей класичний альбом раніше, але якось він завжди проскакував повз, і я чомусь ніколи не мав нагоди послухати його як слід. Це не той альбом який можна слухати фоном, або використовувати в якості акомпанементу до інших побутових активностей. Адже це, в першу чергу наративна робота, що розповідає нам «епічні» історії в дусі сюрреалістичних дитячих казок. Чому епічних? Ну по-перше, кожен трек тут триває щонайменше 9 хвилин, тож історія встигає «розкачатися» та вийти на свій «емоційний пік», немов гарний фільм, що триває близько 3 годин, або навіть більше. Між іншим, помічали, що дуже багато найкращих стрічок ever, тривають саме так довго? У випадку цього альбому це також працює, та перетворює його на «кінематографічний епік». А по друге, це ж звісно сама музика. Струнні та і загалом усі оркестрові аранжування на цьому альбомі є одними з найкращих, що я коли небуть чув. Вони виконані у своєрідній нео-бароковій стилістиці та підкреслюють настрій - часом підкреслюють тривожність, а часом навпаки дарують спокій. Проте до цього є одне зауваження - часом це відбувається доволі різко, і це трохи фруструє, бо я все ж є прихільником більш мʼяких та плавних переходів. Тим паче, враховуючи тривалість - часу для цього було вдосталь. Але не дивлячись на це - альбом дуже і дуже сподобався, а після прослуховування залишилось враження, ніби подивився «Початок» Нолана вперше. Це дійсно сучасна класика фолку, яку легко можна порівняти із кращими роботами Боба Ділана.

Альбом неожиданно попал мне в самое сердечко. Круто!

Good but more poetry than music

Maximum respect for keeping your work off Spotify Joanna, but nothing quite takes you out of the beauty of this album like countless YouTube adverts for some sort of accounting software (FAO the lads at YouTube, the day I need to engage in accounting software is the day that capitalism finally collapses in on itself). Anyhoo, I hadn't listened to this for ages, and I'm glad I did because it's absolutely lovely. Really fascinating instrumentation and choices of instruments, backed by JN's lovely vocals. It's got a real richness and depth to it, and I'd be keen to get this on record. If only to stop the software adverts.

Om jag sku vara en medeltida kung med alternativ musiksmak så är det här vad ja skulle lyssna på. Jätte vackert album. Stark 3

Just really not my thing, very pretentious and with a voice that is pretty grating.

I don’t love her voice, but I think there’s some good songwriting and harping going on. It’s interesting, would not say great. But I can appreciate this as a work or art.