This week marks an undeniable career-highlight for Virginian songwriter Yasmin Williams: Not only did the American-primitivist guitarist hit the road with Brittany Howard and Michael Kiwanuka for a nearly month-long tour of North America, but her third album and debut for Nonesuch Records, Acadia, lands this Friday. Building upon the contemporary-folk compositions featured on her breakout 2021 LP Urban Driftwood, the new project is equally populated with Williams’ head-spinning guitar work (she’s additionally credited with contributing banjo, calabash drum, tap shoes, and kora across the record) in conversation with an even lengthier list of musical guests—many of whom have helped her on her journey toward her present sound.
Ahead of the album’s release this Friday, Williams took a moment to elucidate on some of these influences, including Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves, Dom Flemons, and Kafari, who all contributed to Acadia. Beyond that, though, are picks that demonstrate how far from her comfort zone Williams is willing to go, whether it be the old-time bluegrass of Doc Watson or the math-rock stylings of instrumental-prog group Chon. With other picks, she simply admires the “subtlety and grace” of peers, hoping to channel their general mood or—in the case of her final song selection—an eternal sense of cool in her own music.
Check out Williams’ picks below, along with explanations for each selection, and pre-order Acadia here.
Nujabes feat. Uyama Hiroto, “Modal Soul”
I’ve listened to this song on and off since my college days and it’s still very inspiring. I love how transcendental and hypnotic the groove is, and how melodic the piano and sax are. Nujabes never misses!
Dartagnan Camara, “Africa Dime”
I first heard this album a few years ago and it’s stuck with me ever since. The raw emotions and clear mastery of his instrument are ever present in Dartagnan Camara’s work, and I wanted to model these qualities in my work also.
James Casey, “New Bloom”
I didn’t learn about James Casey until after his passing, unfortunately, but I fell in love with his music. This song is super approachable and lends itself to listening in any state of mind—it can pick you up when you’re down and put an even bigger smile on your face when you’re already feelin’ good!
Chon, “The Space”
I’ve listened to Chon consistently for years and have wanted to dabble in playing guitar in their sort of math-rock/-pop style for a little while now. Their style is just cool (in both aesthetic and musical definitions of the word). My song “Malamu” is a sort of mix between Chon and J Dilla!
Pedro Ricardo, “Cantar das Kandakinhas”
This was one of my favorite songs to listen to during the spring and summer months. It oozes good vibes, and I’m obsessed with the interesting syncopation in the song.
Doc Watson, “Handsome Molly”
Doc Watson has been in my rotation of daily tracks for a few years now and is one of my favorite artists. Doc Watson’s music has definitely caused me to embrace bluegrass and old-time music more in recent years.
Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves, “Nancy Blevins”
This group is another one that has caused me to really enjoy listening to modern old-time music. I love the energy of this song, and it’s played perfectly.
Dom Flemons, “Going Down the Road Feelin’ Bad”
Dom Flemons is one of the most innovative solo performers I’ve ever seen or listened to. It’s always inspiring listening to his recordings and hearing all the things I love about folk/traditional music rolled into one single person. He was also the musician who got me into playing rhythm bones, and I’m super honored that he played bones on my song “Cliffwalk.”
Sam Amidon, “Cuckoo”
Sam Amidon was the musician who got me into folk and traditional music, and this song is the first one I ever heard from him. This will always be a classic and is a must-listen for anyone interested in folk music with an experimental twist.
William Tyler, “Kingdom of Jones”
“Kingdom of Jones” is one of the few solo acoustic guitar songs that I listen to relatively often. It’s simple, honest, and real—one of the best solo acoustic guitar songs to exist, in my opinion.
Darlingside, “Old Friend”
This song showcases why I wanted to feature Darlingside on my song “Virga.” The group’s vocals are astoundingly beautiful and the arrangements of both the vocals and instrumentation are always hittin’! The harmonies are otherworldly in certain passages and are sung with great precision.
Aoife O’Donovan, “Bull Frogs Croon: i. Night Fishing”
Aoife O’Donovan’s voice has a similar haunting quality to me that Darlingside’s vocal style has, with a quiet confidence that’s obvious in this particular song. The string arrangement showcases her voice’s power in that, even with a lot going on in the instrumentation, her voice is still front and center.
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders, London Symphony Orchestra, “Movement 6”
I love Pharoah Sanders’s music, and this album will forever be one of the best I’ve ever listened to. I struggle to think of an album that moves me to tears as quickly and often as this one does. Promises represents what music is all about.
Kafari, “Destiny”
“Destiny” by Kafari is a masterclass in the art of subtlety and grace. Being able to keep the same melodic material throughout a piece and change it just enough to keep it interesting and take it to new heights is a difficult task, yet Kafari does it so well in all of his music. I’m super fortunate to call him a friend and to have him play rhythm bones on my song “Dawning.”
J Dilla, “Bye.”
I wanted to end the playlist with one of my favorite J Dilla songs. Gotta end it right!
