Yasmin Williams, Dawning Review

Navigating a Sonic Meadow: Yasmin Williams’ Dawning

When an artist like Yasmin Williams puts new music onto the scene, one can be sure that there will be creative sounds and rhythmic shifting. Armed with a distinct blend of influences, from jazz and R&B to go-go and hip-hop, Williams is undeniably a multi-faceted guitarist. “Dawning,” her single from her upcoming album offering, is a confluence of these elements. The song finds Williams diving deep into the textures and nuances of the guitar. The vocals add an world meets new age vibe that gives it an opportunity to pull you in while the lush melodies unfurl.

“Dawning” has a textural component as it’s a collaborative endeavor featuring Aoife O’Donovan’s ethereal vocals, Kafari’s rhythm bones, and Nic Gareiss’ percussive dancing. The trio expands Williams’ soundscapes into newer territories. Imagine for a moment a meadow at dawn, blanketed by the soft glow of morning light, each blade of grass a note resonating from Williams’ alternate-tuned guitar. The tuning and the open strings she employs bring each chord to life, allowing them to breathe and ring across the ancient rhythmic sound patterns.

As you traverse further into this musical meadow, O’Donovan’s voice seems to rise like mist, swirling around Williams’ guitar. The effect of Kafari’s rhythmic bones and Gareiss’ percussive dancing becomes akin to dewdrops, enhancing rather than saturating the sonic panorama. The waltz pattern that emerges isn’t just a dance; it’s a multidimensional canvas that invites the addition of layered vocals, creating ethereal harmonies and counterpoint.

Then comes the B section, which for me feels like a shift in perspective, as though the meadow has suddenly transformed into a bustling train station, where rhythms intertwine in the air. Williams drives this metaphorical train, her four/four rhythm chugging along while Kafari and Gareiss add dashes of vibrant color. The ritardando towards the end of this section acts like a brief pause, a moment to catch one’s breath before the song returns to its original tempo and theme.

Williams single, “Dawning,” offers an immersive experience, where every element has room to breathe and contribute to the whole. Williams’ natural guitar playing dances around her influences without being confined by them. O’Donovan’s voice adds an emotional weight, lifting the track into a realm that some might describe as ‘world music,’ but really it defies easy categorization. The result is a musical texture that is enjoyable and creative.

As we await Williams’ upcoming album on Nonesuch Records, “Dawning” is an outstanding find and an intriguing preview, a snapshot of an artist at a pivotal moment in her evolving musical journey.