Yola embraces wide musical range on empowering new record

British-born singer Yola broke through in 2019 with her critically acclaimed solo record “Walk Through Fire” that earned her four Grammy nominations after decades working as a singer and songwriter.

But the album that earned her praise from the likes of Elton John and Brandi Carlile was just a first glimpse into what the mononymous and multi-genre singer could do. On her new record “Stand For Myself,” the powerful and versatile singer tells the journey of reclaiming herself after being burdened by tokenism and inequities.

Yola was born in Bristol to immigrant parents from Ghana and Barbados, and the album’s imagery is awash in royal purple, a reflection of her African lineage. But for much of her early life and career, she felt like her Blackness had to be tamped down and she was unable to fully represent her style.

“That was a lot of my life: ‘Put up, or shut up, and assimilate,’” said Yola.

Living in Nashville, Tennessee, Yola’s musical branches are spread wide through classic pop and ‘70s era R&B and soul, with sprinkles of disco, funk and rock. Working again with producer Dan Auerbach, Yola co-wrote some of the songs with Nashville hitmakers Natalie Hemby, Liz Rose and Ruby Amanfu, as well as new artist Joy Oladokun.

Considering her own expertise in merging genres, Yola seems a perfect fit to portray the rock pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe in a new film about Elvis Presley directed by Baz Luhrmann, which has been rescheduled for release in 2022. Yola spent much of the pandemic learning how to play like Tharpe, who is credited with being among the first artists to distort the electric guitar and influenced Elvis, Little Richard and Johnny Cash.

Charles Sykes / Associated Press Yola’s latest album, “Stand For Myself,” was released on July 30.