ALBUM REVIEW: Julia Jacklin – ‘The Gem’

Singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin has an almost timeless quality to her music. She invites your attention with heartfelt honesty and a light touch that’s resonates as well now as it would have done in the late 60’s.  Across her three LPs—and the slightly less well-known but excellent Phantastic Ferniture in 2018—she’s steadily built an impressive body of work. Playing in clubs across the world since Don’t Let The Kids Win was released in 2016, she’s gradually moved up to larger spaces over time, with her yellow Fender Telecaster in hand. The workhorse, no-fuss choice of guitar for legends like Bruce Springsteen. Jacklin’s music has oodles of charm, feeling intensely personal for the most part. Pop your headphones on, and it genuinely feels as though she’s singing directly to you. Of The Gem, Jacklin says, “I want to love and be loved, but I also want to feel free. The tension between those two things has been the central question of my life.” 

Jacklin will release her fourth LP, The Gem, on 25th September. It’s her first for new label 4AD, which will be quickly followed by a tour across North America before coming to the UK and EU in 2027. Unlike previous records which had been recorded in a couple of weeks, after the initial session was completed, Jacklin and producer Robert Muiños laboured over the songs for another eleven months until they felt right. Recorded by Muiños in a converted space above its Melbourne bar namesake in a busy suburban area, Jacklin recruited Jacob Diamond on guitar, Mimi Gilbert on bass and Jess Elwood, Alex Lahey and Angie McMahon for drums.

The Gem has a strong association for Jacklin, a place she happened upon that she could express herself and come into her own. Beginning with the aptly titled Brand New, it’s a softly paced song, pared back with its super-quiet drums and acoustic guitars. It’s gentle, with its rotating vocal refrain of “Brand new, I’m free now, let me be”. God Sometimes, if taken literally, is about taking the initiative and assuming control of your destiny instead of sitting back. Olaf Scott on the Wurlitzer piano adds something restrained yet special as a dreamy counterpart to Diamond’s electric guitar riff.

If I Had The Hand Of God is an obvious hit. Jacklin’s vocals have a wonderful quality, full of emotion. Paired with her lyrics that begin with documenting a view of the neighbours, it’s equal parts charming and mournful. Each line is charged with deep feelings: “After the show, become an outline to everyone you know.” This song is every bit as good as anything Jacklin has released in the past. Single The Hardest Thing completes the one-two punch. The Gem has really taken off at this point. The chorus of “The hardest thing to do is believe it when you say I love you” is instantly memorable. Jacklin takes the less-is-more approach here again, short, full-band tracks where she shines with her combination of vocal melodies and knack for penning personal lyrics.

Instead of maintaining the momentum, Jacklin takes her foot off the gas for the folk ballad Angel Vision, for the most part leaving her vocals and acoustic guitar to carry the gentle melody. It’s fleshed out tastefully in the second half by Richard Bradbeer’s double bass, adding a little depth, and Diamond’s vocal harmony. It’s simple yet beautiful, like a perfectly captured moment in time. Mixing things up a little on Real Life, the synthesisers and drums pick up the pace nicely. Its less traditional structure is a little different to the other songs on The Gem. Despite the sonic departure, it still includes some whimsical lyrics from Jacklin: “Had a dream that I watered your plants, it felt like real life. I didn’t do it, I didn’t even try, now all your plants have died.” Jacklin is playing around with pop-writing sensibilities, but adds plenty of her own personality.

If you’re thinking we’re heading down a route of more experiments, we’re not. Single Get Away From Me (I Think I’ll Love You Soon) could have been included on any of her previous albums. It’s undeniable in its simplicity, and yet anyone who knows anything about songwriting knows that penning a song like this is very hard. If it was easy everyone would be writing hit songs. There’s such an alluring struggle within the lyrics around their romantic tension. This verse sums the song up perfectly: “There’s no need to be sure that love is coming my way, I’m just trying to ready myself to get through the day.” You Turned On The Tap overflows with ominous themes of flowers that have wilted and died in the sun, sadly just out of reach of the nearby sprinklers. Letting our loved ones down and being unprepared for loss. Opting for a piano-driven melody and gentle inclusion of flute, Jacklin continues to keep the listener on their toes.

Jacklin lets the volume build gently throughout Walk On Me before bringing in the full band for the loudest moments on the record. The final song and single, I Wish (featuring award-winning folk duo The Maes, closes out The Gem, where sisters Maggie and Elsie Rigby lend their vocals for some beautiful three-part harmonies. Described by Jacklin as a “lullaby penned for [her] younger self”, it’s a look back at one’s self, going through the pain of growing and getting ready to become the personal you’ll soon be. 

The Gem finds Jacklin looking to her past for inspiration, whilst moving towards the future. As a songwriter, she plays to her strengths, but with the confidence to add a little to her indie / folk-rock sound. Jacklin is incredibly likable; you want to root for her, and she doesn’t let you down as The Gem is packed with thoughtful lyrics and unforgettable melodies. Her voice draws you in for the quieter moments and soars above the band when it’s time to let go.

For fans of: Courtney Barnett, Angel Olsen, Billie Marten

‘The Gem’ by Julia Jacklin is released on 25th September on 4AD Records.

Words by Ross Peacey