Daveportivo's Cultural Evaluation Facility

Joanna Newsom finds herself in a near impossible position in 2010; she has to top Ys. An album which had granted her more acclaim, more credibility and more commercial acceptance than any harpist could have possibly dreamt of. Not only was Ys remarkably addictive, it was epic in scope, and so defiantly different it couldn't help but take your breath away. Have One On Me is granted no such graces, the world is now familiar with Joanna's brand of baroque pop, and since her debut the likes of Grizzly Bear and more noticeably Fleet Foxes have taken the folk fringe to directly to mainstream. No one will be shocked, no one will be taken by surprise this time around. As a result Joanna has seemingly taken a new approach, gone is the medieval aesthetic and in comes a big dose of sex appeal. Tight clingy dresses, suggestive glances and ironic arty (dare I say scene) photo shoots, have seemingly signalled a change in direction. Along with a new look, comes new confidence as Have One On Me is a triple album. This has all the makings of a make it or break it moment; can Joanna and her harp hold our attention for a full two hours?

Remarkably the answer is yes. Have One On Me is a staggering achievement, displaying both endless creativity and remarkable consistency. The album starts with "Easy" a gorgeous ballad that feels like a statement of intent. A sharp, focused and surprisingly minimalist track that is about as close to a pop single as Joanna will ever get, with it's subversive melodies and it's array of infectious hooks. "Easy" feels more human than anything on Ys, it may lack the widescreen ancient epic feel of her previous work but it's replaced with a feeling of fragility and genuine soul. There is an immense power when Joanna coos "You're My Little Life Giver". The album's title track feels like a hangover from Ys longer and more mythical scope than the rest of the LP, it would almost feel out of place where it not so undeniably brilliant.

Aside from the album's title track Have One On Me has a noticeably stripped down sound. With clear nods to hymnal almost gospel music and a heavy dose of classic fifties and sixties soul. Joanna Newsom at times feels like the unholy offspring of Dusty Springfield and Billie Holiday born into the sixteenth century. It almost seems unthinkable but at times Have One On Me has more in common with Billie's "Strange Fruit" than Ys's "Emily". Next to a newer, more contemporary but no less unique sound, comes a more stripped down approach. The tracks across the three disk's of Have One On Me see the wild orchestral arrangements of Ys toned markedly down. Instead we are treated to low key ballads like "You And Me, Bess" with it's seldom struck harp and gorgeously understated saxophone accompaniment. This is a common theme, rather than huge walls of strings, and giant crescendos, we have subtle piano lines, soft acoustic guitar and sparing used horns. Rather than undermining the power Joanna's trademark sound it instead only draws attention to the power of Newsom's captivating vocal performance. This after all is Joanna's true strength, behind the gimmicks and the wonderful arrangements is a beautiful singing voice and an endlessly creative force who simply refuses to run out of ideas, and is never anything less than fascinating; even when stretched over the course of two hours.

Have One On Me is a remarkable triumph. While it can't match the impact or directness of Ys, Have One On Me shows that Joanna Newsom is a woman for all seasons, a truly irrepressible creative force. Proving that she is a lady of great soul and beautiful voice as well as unmatched eccentricity. The triple album's centrepiece "In California" is the one track that showcases Joanna in all her glory. Across nine minutes Joanna offers beautiful stripped down soul crooning "my heart is as heavy as an oil drum", she shows her flair for epic storytelling with a sprawling narrative, while managing to pack a big orchestral punch and even managing to contrast her emotional fragility with her otherworldly madness as she caws manically towards the tracks conclusion. Have One On Me is like "In California"; it's something new, it shows that Joanna Newsom has truly evolved since Ys but it also manages to showcase everything that has made Miss Newsom such a prodigious and incomparable talent in the first place. Have One On Me like Joanna's own voice, is smoother, more soulful and more emotionally powerfully than ever before. Joanna has successful created an album of great beauty and great soul, which in it's own unique little way may just be the most moving record made since the turn of the millennium. A truly special release from the most talented and fascinating female to hit the music industry since a little lady from Iceland made a big splash in the 1980s. Essentially listening.