Julia Jacklin is a singer-songwriter from Sydney, Australia. Her music is described as indie pop, indie folk, and even alternative country. Her first two albums Don’t Let the Kids Win (2016) and Crushing (2019) were heartbreaking and beautiful. She’s basically an indie artist although she did release her albums with the help of Polyvinyl Record Co. An American indie record label located in Champaign, Illinois. Polyvinyl collaborates with indie artists by co-publishing releases with them. I personally really like their work and they’ve done a ton of releases over the years. 

Don’t Let the Kids Win won several awards at the J Awards in 2016, an award ceremony established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC). The ABC is the Australian equivalent of BMI. She also performed with the band Phantastic Ferniture, with whom she released the debut single “Fuckin ‘n’ Rollin” and a self-titled album in 2018, followed by subsequent singles.

Her Sophomore album Crushing was nominated for Best Female Artist, Best Adult Contemporary Album, Best Independent Release, Producer of the Year, Engineer of the Year and Best Cover Art at the 2019 Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (ARIA) Music Awards. This album was filled with a couple of chilling songs. The entire album is excellently crafted, and I recently revisit it.

I personally had the pleasure of seeing her live at Jack White’s third man records “The Blue Room” in 2019. It was such a personal and wonderful way to experience her music. She even did a solo piano performance of When The Family Flies In and it was so heartbreaking. It was a really memorable night and I loved seeing her in person.

She has just released her third studio album Pre Pleasure on August 22nd, 2022. Her writing style is striking and unique and her voice is soothing and sweet. As a big fan of Julia Jacklin I absolutely love the new album. I think it keeps up with her signature style, but we’re seeing new levels of production. Marcus Paquin produced this album, Julia has had a different producer on each album. I would say Marcus adds his own flare to this album. He’s signed to Last Gang Records and has produced for the likes of Local Natives, Tim Baker, The Barr Brothers, Timber Timbre, Sarah Harmer, and more. I think he did a lot of arranging for this album which is something that Julia didn’t really have in her other albums.

This new album has themes of personal relationships, beliefs and she hints at this theme of disassociation. I was actually shocked by the song Ignore Tenderness, it was very personal and about sexual frustration, distraction and not being able to get off. Lydia Wears a Cross is another highlight on the album and it’s the first track. I really cannot emphasize listening to this album at the very least and when you have the time listen to the rest of her work. I’ve loved seeing her progression as an artist. She also gives artists who make quirky, sad music a reference for someone who is becoming really popular.

Listen to the new album below! Follow Julia on Instagram.