Chris’ Crate - Julia Jacklin “Crushing”
Julia Jacklin is a singer songwriter from Perth, Australia. However, you wouldn’t know this by listening to her. It has nothing to do with how she has to sing but everything to do with what she sings about. Universal topics done in a clever and catchy way. I first discovered Julia Jacklin when I stumbled upon a video on YouTube. The video was from the YouTube show titled “Like a Version” in which an artist plays a cover of a popular song. I was intrigued by this video because it was a cover of The Strokes “Someday”.
The Strokes being one of my favorite bands I was expecting a kick ass if, overdone garage rock interpretation of a kick ass if, admittedly sometimes over played garage rock classic. Instead, I heard a solemn and slowed version that was truly unique and began a life of its own. Julia was able to elevate the song and really make it her own. This is a common theme in a lot of her music, you really feel the lyrics that she is singing. You feel the frustration of a lover taking compromising photos of her, or the embarrassment of watching someone who is too drunk at the office party take the microphone. All you can think is “can someone please take the microphone away from them?” These are the themes and ideas on Julia Jacklin’s sophomore album Crushing.
The album opens with a song called “Body” that begins by expressing frustration with a former boyfriend who got arrested on a flight because he was trying to smoke in the bathroom. Julia expresses “I said, I'm gonna leave you, I'm not a good woman when you're around… Eyes on the driver, hands in my lap, Heading to the city to get my body back”. The song then goes on to talk about that same boyfriend taking a compromising photo and Julia worrying that it will be used now to hurt her. And that is what this album really strives at. These little worries or memories that lead to bigger issues. We can all laugh at the awkwardness and feel the anger of betrayal from showing a little too much of ourselves to someone.
Also, on a dime the album can make you laugh with songs such as “Convention” in which she speaks about a coworker who drank too much and now won’t let everyone go home from some sort of event. With each song you feel as if you are in the room with Julia Jacklin experiencing these situations. On any other album these heavy and light tones of songs could create a jumbled mess but here it is balanced very well. This is because there is always a snarky comment or sarcastic remark, when Julia Jacklin is dealing with someone who is trying to tell her what to do.
I haven’t had an album in recent years that has made me rewind as much to catch the cleverness of so many lyrics throughout its runtime. I cannot recommend this enough and the important thing is that I do not spoil this listening experience for anyone. It is funny, sincere, and beautiful and really sucks the listener in from the first song. And this is her second album, Ms. Jacklin released a new album this past year that is excellent as well and absolutely worth the listen. She is one of the best voices in music today and will clearly continue to hone her craft in the coming years.
Favorite Songs on The Album:
“Body”
“Don’t Know How To Keep Loving You”
“When The Family Flies In”
“Convention”
“Good Guy”
“You Were Right”
Link to Julia’s cover of “Someday”