Ys (album)

Ys (/ˈiːs/ EESS) is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Joanna Newsom, released by Drag City on November 14, 2006. It was produced by Newsom and Van Dyke Parks, recorded by Steve Albini and mixed by Jim O'Rourke, with orchestral arrangements by Van Dyke Parks. It features guest vocals from Bill Callahan and Emily Newsom. The vocals and harp were recorded at the Village Recording Studio in Los Angeles in December 2005, with the orchestration recorded between May and June 2006 at the Entourage Studios in Los Angeles.

The album consists of five tracks with song durations ranging from 7 to 17 minutes that deal with events and people important in Newsom's life, including the sudden death of her best friend, a continuing illness and a tumultuous relationship. The album is named after the mythical Breton city of Ys.

Ys received acclaim. It was Newsom's first album to chart in the Billboard 200, where it peaked at number 134. Ys also charted in the United Kingdom, France, Norway and Ireland. It has featured on several music publications' lists of the greatest albums of all time.