We Know It Isn’t

Yola “Diamond Studded Shoes”

“Diamond Studded Shoes” is an overtly political song about pushing for improvements despite knowing that your efforts will likely be in vain, but despite that tense and dreary lyrical perspective the music has a loose and relaxed feel. Yola is working at a very ‘70s intersection of country and rock, and while there’s also some gospel and soul in the mix she’s calling back to an era where those elements hadn’t quite been bred out of rock music just yet. The balance of vibe and message really works here – it deflates some potential preachiness or self-seriousness, lures the listener in with some musical honey, and places the emphasis on the notion that a life of activism and righteousness isn’t about big moments so much as being aware and vigilant on a daily basis. The looseness of the track and the relatively chill tone isn’t a contradiction so much as communicating an informal every day feeling.

Buy it from Bandcamp.