Album Review: Angus & Julia Stone - Angus & Julia Stone

In 2011 Angus & Julia Stone were basking in international acclaim. In 2012, the siblings from Sydney announced that although they had 15 songs recorded for a third LP they were parting ways – having common blood it seemed did not mean that their artistic visions also matched.

Fast forward two years and two solo records apiece and that once-promised collaborative third album is here. Thanks in large part to the intervention of Rick Rubin – the bearded production guru behind a myriad of names, from Eminem to Adele. Rubin fell in love with the Stone’s sweet folk sound and stated he wanted to work with the pair, but only if they worked together.

And work together they did, co-writing on tracks for the first time since they started playing music together in 2006. Ironically though, it’s the songs where Angus and Julia feature separately that resonate the most on this eponymous LP. Please You is a stunningly morose track, perfectly performed by Angus’ pained voice. And on Death Defying Acts Julia deftly executes a sultry blues.

Contrastingly, lead single Heart Beats Slow lacks depth. As the twosome bounce off of one another to what sounds like a looped Americana melody, you can’t help but feel the single has limited replay value. Nonetheless, they still shine as a duo, and when Julia’s fragile vocals harmonise with Angus’ earnest cries on From The Stalls and Get Home, there’s no question as to whether or not their reunion was a good idea.