Album Review: Julia Jacklin - ‘The Gem’

Australian singer/songwriter Julia Jacklin returns this week with her new record The Gem on one of our favorite labels, 4AD! The record was named after a pub she frequented when starting out in music and the location for some of her early live work. We’ve always had a soft spot for Jacklin, because we find that she consistently produces thoughtful and dynamic work that engages the listener both sonically and thematically through clear melodies and complex questions of life and love.

Thematically on this one, Jacklin tangles with the ups and downs of love and commitment. Jacklin states via presser: “I want to love and be loved, bu I also want to be free. The tension between those two things has been the central question of my life”. The Gem represents the fourth solo release in the Australian’s already storied career in her eight years as an artist. On this one, Jacklin found herself in a bit of transition as she was between management and was not in regular contact with her label. Seizing on this opportunity and having some time on her hands, Jacklin decided to make a record at home. This was a first for the acclaimed songwriter.

The record was actually recorded in a hotel room above a pub and with the uniqueness of the location, came unique challenges, including limits on when Jacklin and company could record. Additionally, the artists also wrestled with exterior noise including foot traffic and music from the pub downstairs. The Gem jumps into things quickly with Jacklin’s crisp vocals, backed by a band including friends and drinking buddies.

The album is solid throughout, but our favorite track has to be “If I Had the Hand of God”. The song features some overdriven guitar work and Jacklin’s signature vocals. That said, the album is highly listenable and digestible and is perfect for multiple spins, with most songs averaging between three and five minutes, “Walk On Me” being the longest track on the album at just over six minutes. “Walk On Me” begins slow with some overdriven guitars, accompanied by Jackin’s vocals, where she implements a perfect vibrato throughout. Jacklin and company wrap the whole thing up with “I Wish” which features The Maes.

Rating - 8/10