Julia Stone – Sixty Summers LP Vinyl Record (Gold Coloured Vinyl)

The bold new album from Julia Stone, “Sixty Summers” shows Stone adopting an ambitious and exciting new sound. While it’s quite common for artists with an established sound to fall into the trap of not stepping out of their comfort zone, in the nine years since her last solo album, it appears Stone has prepared to do just that.

The album opens with a big electronic drum beat and it’s immediately clear that you’re in store for something new. And while the presence of electronic drum arrangements and synthesizers continues throughout the album, you won’t feel lost for long, as you’re soon met with something recognisable, something to bring the album home, Stones marvellous vocals.

While Stone and producers Doveman and St. Vincent take the album in a refreshing direction, away from folk music and towards electronic and pop, not everything has changed. Present in the album are dazzling, uplifting horns, Stone’s beautiful vocals and her smart, beloved lyricism.

As a whole, the album is as catchy and appealing as the rest of her works. It’s an album you can get lost in, whether you are dancing or relaxing. You can hear that Stone has taken the time to explore a daring new direction for her music, and I welcome it.

7.5/10 – Handsome Will 

Manufacturer BMG Brand Julia Stone Pennies 90 Dimensions 12″ Preorder No