Julia Jacklin // Crushing

Julia Jacklin

Crushing

Polyvinyl

4.75/5 Stars

Already the best-reviewed album of 2019 according to the review aggregator albumoftheyear.org, Julia Jacklin's third record is beautiful, entrancing, and rightfully worthy of notice. It starts off on a dark and intoxicating note with "Body" — which, along with the brighter "You Were Right,' was one of the two tracks released to preview the album — a slow, smoky alt-country shuffle delicately shifting chords that continually elevate the tension. There are many slight shifts within Crushing's ten tracks, and "Head Alone" marks a more optimistic indie-pop tone, once again using the lyrical motif of the opening track's title, as all of the first four tracks do as well. Lyrically, Jacklin touches relatable topics through slightly roundabout means, dealing with things like death ("When the Family Flies In"), sex ("Good Guy"), and breakups ("You Were Right" and "Comfort"). Crushing is the optimal mix of hooks, honest passion, and lyrics worthy of examination perfect for fans of Angel Olsen, Lucy Dacus, or Big Thief. The 28-year-old songwriter from Sydney, Australia will likely see her fanbase widening stateside, as it ought to. It's an exquisitely done record, filled with somber ruminations and spirited independence. — Nick Warren