Afternoons spent lounging poolside. Self-reflections on youth. Accepting that things will always feel strange. These are just a few of the topics that Julia Jacklin explores on her nostalgic album Don’t Let The Kids Win. From an initial standpoint, it seems that this record would be hard to differentiate from any other indie folk artists; however, Julia Jacklin manages to maintain a sharp sense of wit throughout the record as well as letting her rich vocals add the warm spirit to the entirety of the tracks.
Growing up in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia, Jacklin first became interested in music around the age of ten, initially inspired by Britney Spears’ success at her young age, leading Jacklin to think about what she really wanted to do versus what she should be doing. This epiphany at such an important stage in her life is clearly illuminated throughout the record, especially on the track “Coming of Age” which deals with the often rapid rate that she experienced growing up. She has explained that although a distinct, nostalgic influence runs rampant throughout the record, there was never a desire to return to childhood. On the closing track which happens to be the title of the album, “Don’t Let The Kids Win,” Jacklin croons in the chorus “I’ve got a feeling that this won’t ever change, we’re gonna keep on getting older, it’s gonna keep on feeling strange.” This track and its lyrics epitomize the entire vibe of the record and do so in a way that make the listener experience nostalgia in such a distinct way that seems almost entirely personal to Jacklin, yet, relatable to many listeners.
Jacklin’s vocals truly seal the deal on this album. They invoke the trance-like charm of Hope Sandoval’s feathery voice, but also seem to be reminiscent of the open road, with some of her choruses emphasizing a vocal range often found in the country genre. It is the tracks like “Pool Party,” and “Same Airport, Different Man” that places Julia Jacklin right smack dab in the middle of indie folk and alt-country. “Pool Party” deals with a companion whom Jacklin longingly begs to give up their substance use while “Same Airport Different Man” contains possibly the sultriest and sharpest side of the record declaring herself “looking old enough to make a wife now.” This difficulty in pinpointing what genre Jacklin’s debut record belongs to is irrelevant, for each track carries such a powerful narrative throughout, that looking to categorize her style is not the primary focus.
Don’t Let The Kids Win is an incredibly warming and free-spirited album that manages to combine Jacklin’s personal life with an overarching theme of a desire to maintain one’s curiosity as they contemplate the differences between their youth and their age now. The timelessness of her voice on each track ensures that this is not an album that people will get sick of quickly. Jacklin instead finds a key balance in making a playful harmony between her strong vocals, distinct folk instrumentation, as well as the tinge of Americana that seems to be lightly sprinkled over each track.
Recommended If You Like: Angel Olsen, Jenny Lewis, Mothers
Recommended Tracks: 1, 2, 5, 9, 11
Do Not Play: N/A
Written by Andrew Chavez on 09/29/2016