Walk Through Fire (Yola album)

Walk Through Fire is the debut album by Yola. It was released on February 22, 2019 on Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Sound label, to much acclaim.[1][2][3] The album title references both a fire which damaged Yola's home and an abusive relationship from which she escaped.[4] AllMusic called the album "an extraordinary record, one designed to be part of a grand musical tradition, and it contains enough emotion and imagination to earn its place within that lineage."[5] Brittney McKenna of NPR Music's First Listen declared, "It's the work of an artist sure to stun audiences for years to come."[6] The Wall Street Journal stated, "The album is an introduction to a seasoned, major vocalist that stands to be remembered as a breakthrough."[7]

A deluxe edition of Walk Through Fire was released on December 6, 2019, which includes two previously unreleased tracks. The deluxe edition included, "I Don't Wanna Lie", which was recorded during the original sessions for the album. Also included was a cover of Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". Yola had performed the latter song live on a number of occasions.[8] Elton John premiered the video via his official Twitter account and has been a vocal cheerleader of Yola.[9]

Walk Through Fire was written, recorded and produced at Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Studio in Nashville. Auerbach produced the record and assembled an all-star cast for its creation.[10] Most of the songwriting was a collaboration of Yola and Auerbach with contributions from Bobby Wood, Pat McLaughlin and Dan Penn. The team of studio musicians included bassist Dave Roe, harmonica player Charlie McCoy along with former members of the Memphis Boys drummer Gene Crisman and Wood on piano. Additional vocals were contributed by Vince Gill, Molly Tuttle, Ronnie McCoury and Stuart Duncan.[6] The album was recorded and engineered by M. Allen Parker. Auerbach and Parker also mixed the project.[11]