By Dominique Tassell
Julia Jacklin released her third studio album, Pre Pleasure, on 26 August. Jacklin has a knack for disarming vulnerability with a sprinkling of optimistic sadness and this album delivers on all fronts.
The album starts off incredibly strong with Lydia Wears A Cross, which is a nostalgic look back on a religious upbringing.
Jacklin’s music has a knack for feeling both new and nostalgic.
Jacklin balances lyricism and sound well on this sound, with a killer bridge full of drums and guitar.
My main thought as I listened to this song was: how is Julia Jacklin not more famous?
I’m a believer…in Julia Jacklin.
The second track Love, Try Not To Let Go feels even more nostalgic, with an opening that feels like it should be over an old home movie. And then you hit the halfway point.
Jacklin knows how to shake you up, she never gives you exactly what you’re expecting but isn’t trying too hard to go against your expectations either.
The creativity feels organic not forced.
Ignore Tenderness, the third song on the album, is a heartbreaking reflection on female sexuality and the tightrope women walk.
Jacklin’s work has that mix of nostalgic and modern that so many artists are chasing nowadays and it doesn’t seem like she’s trying that hard. It just is what it is.
On track four, I Was Neon, Jacklin sings about her concerns about losing herself while an upbeat tune plays. The result is a disarmingly vulnerable combination.
“I quite like the person that I am,” she sings as it becomes apparent this album takes on all the hard subjects but knows she’ll come out the other end alright.
Too In Love To Die is a beautiful ode to the invincible feeling of being in love that feels almost like a hymn. Maybe love is Jacklin’s higher power.
Something that’s interesting about Jacklin’s music is that it doesn’t honour the usual strict rules of music. It feels like it just pours out of her.
Track six’s Less Of A Stranger is a beautiful song that turns around and punches you in the gut.
The song is devastating with some beautiful lyricism.
It’s the longest song on the album, so Jacklin was definitely dedicated to making us sad.
The next track, Moviegoer, doesn’t feel as much like a stab to the heart as the last few songs but there are definitely a few lyrics that prick you.
Maybe that’s Jacklin’s music in a nutshell.
Track eight’s Magic is a self-worth anthem, containing lyrics like “remember what I’m worth and fight for it” that every girl should have taped to their mirror.
Be Careful With Yourself builds on this, offering gentle loving advice. While it could easily come off as disingenuous, it doesn’t.
The album’s final song, End Of A Friendship, is classic Jacklin hopeful sadness to a backdrop of strings.
The album overall feels very on-brand for Jacklin. I feel both peaceful and like I’ve had my heart ripped out, which is basically what I expect from her.
