Julia Jacklin

In a world of off-centre indie rock warble, Julia Jacklin is a resolute ballast. With personal, frank, emotionally charged lyrics matched to slow burn music, she mines a deep well of sentiments, drawing in listeners as if in private conversation. Her calming, breathy soprano runs counter to the passionate narratives. One minute desperate, another coaxing, the songs present little movies in vivid detail.

A cult artist in North America in spite of frequent touring, her latest project, Pre Pleasure, reached number two on the Australian charts upon its late 2022 release and was named by Paste magazine as one of the best albums of that year. Veering from more beat-driven rock of “I Am Neon” or “Lydia Wears A Cross” to the contemplative “Too in Love to Die” or “End of a Friendship,” Pre Pleasure is more optimistic than the well-regarded Crushing, a breakup album from 2019 which brought her to a wider audience (and another Paste citation as one of the best indie rock albums of 2019). The songs hit home no matter where they are played.