Artist : Julia Jacklin
Album : Don't Let The Kids Win
Year : 2016
Genre : Indie
Quality : 222kbps / 44.1KHz / Joint Stereo
Source : CD
Playtime : 0h 43m
Size : 72.57mb
Label : Transgressive
Catalognr :
Tracklist:
01. Pool Party 4:15
02. Leadlight 3:43
03. Coming Of Age 3:20
04. Elizabeth 3:39
05. Motherland 5:14
06. Small Talk 3:30
07. L.A. Dream 3:29
08. Sweet Step 2:51
09. Same Airport, Different Man 3:02
10. Hay Plain 5:59
11. Don't Let The Kids Win 4:02
Releasenotes:
Though only her debut, Julia JacklinÆs DonÆt Let the Kids Win works like a
musical punch to the gut, a tearjerker that makes even the most public of spaces
ready sobbing spots. Each of the albumÆs 11 songs sounds effortlessly polished,
her voice seasoned with the emotion of an entire lifetime. Jacklin takes
elements of the whip-smart lyrics of fellow Australian Courtney Barnett, the
evocative musicality of Angel Olsen, Sharon Van EttenÆs confessional poetry, and
Jessica PrattÆs mesmerizing melodies ù the mosaic of strengths made fresh by a
unique perspective.
Album highlight ôPool Partyö exudes an air of longing, wistfully discussing a
dying relationship. The idea of a fun, carefree pool party is juxtaposed by
JacklinÆs intense lines: ôI want to give you all of my love/ But I watch you
sink as they swam above.ö The words relate familiar feelings with refreshing,
poetic candor. ôMy heart is heavy when youÆre high/ So, for me, why wonÆt you
try,ö Jacklin cries, then fades to a hushed yearning, thoughtfully dissecting
the perils of human connection. On ôLeadlightö, her vocals take a sultry turn
while emitting æ50s vibes. Smooth guitar melodies careen and halt, emphasizing
each sharp word: ôI love you, darling I do/ But I canÆt let possession make a
fool of you.ö Jacklin takes our most intimate thoughts and compresses them into
resonant lyrics. ôComing of Ageö thrashes relentlessly with the energy of
growing up ù which isnÆt always a good feeling. ôI didnÆt see it coming/ My
coming of age,ö Jacklin laments.
Due to her diverse strengths, JacklinÆs songs differ greatly ù but where for
some that may result in an inconsistent tone, Jacklin strengthens the album by
honoring its emotional core at all costs. Tracks jump from genre to genre
without losing their hypnotic quality. The serene ôElizabethö pairs JacklinÆs
serene voice with a tenor lilting in the backdrop. The pivotal ôMotherlandö
discusses the trivialities of everyday life ù bringing out the cooking pots and
heating a home ù yet it gets sobering quickly: ôThese new lines on my face/
Spell out girl pick up your pace/ If you want to stay true to what your younger
self would do.ö
Jacklin outlines a nightmarish vision during ôL.A. Dreamö, in which sheÆs left
behind in a grocery store, lonely and desperate. The lyrics are
stream-of-consciousness, perfectly encapsulating real fear. Vulnerability
continues with ôSweet Stepö, Jacklin cooing words of empowerment and expression.
ôDancing for yourself ainÆt bad when youÆre dying/ To find/ That sweet step that
will help to free your mind,ö she sings. Elsewhere, ôHay Plainö finds Jacklin at
her finest: quiet contemplation coupled with lyrics that shout volumes. It
begins slow. The melodies and rhythms thoughtfully march towards a peak as she
grapples with relationship problems and fractured longing. The end result is a
polished song that exemplifies JacklinÆs artistic identity.
DonÆt Let the Kids Win closes with its title track. Lyrics that at first feel
generic become utterly personal. ôDonÆt let your grandmother die while you wait/
A cheap trip to ThailandÆs not gonna make up for never getting to say goodbye,ö
she mourns. ôGonna keep on getting older/ Gonna keep on feeling strange,ö she
bristles. ItÆs as if sheÆs offering advice to her former self as much as she is
the listener. Throughout, the album offers a window into her world, revealing
the singer-songwriterÆs most intimate corners.
Prior to focusing on music, Jacklin spent her days on the production line of a
factory that produces essential oils and lived in a garage. But she didnÆt just
flip a switch and start writing songs. All the while, Jacklin was conjuring up
melodies that can elicit smiles, reflection, and even tears. Thanks to this
demonstration of the ability to craft songs infused with wisdom and wonder in
equal measure, JacklinÆs staying power is strong and sheÆs unlikely to need to
return to factories anytime soon.
Sarah Brooks - consequenceofsound.net
http://www.juliajacklin.com