Julia Jacklin's The Gem
Julia Jacklin’s fourth studio album, The Gem (2026), cements her place as a force to be reckoned with in the world of indie pop.
In The Gem, New South Wales singer-songwriter Jacklin explores the raw human emotions of heartbreak and self-doubt through themes of change, independence, and personal growth as she questions—and harps on the vulnerability of—her own mind. The lead single “Get Away From Me (I Think I’ll Love You Soon)” tells a story through its title alone. This track serves as a thematic introduction to the album, setting the stage for the self-doubt, reflection, and honesty expressed throughout the project. Through gentle, perfectly-controlled vocals and explosive rock ballads, The Gem acts as a poignant window into a sensitive mind.
Each song on this album feels like a sincere stream-of-consciousness narration, providing a voice for our most painful intrusive thoughts. The opening track, “Brand New,” establishes the project’s central theme of reinvention, joining her soft, catchy drum beat and guitar strums with lyrics about attempting to escape the burdens of one’s past. On tracks such as “God Sometimes,” Jacklin’s lyrics reflect her personal struggles, serving as an affirmation as she urges us to “hold out for something greater.” On “I Wish,” she reassures herself: “I got through, yeah, I’ll be fine / Still I wish someone had been there at the time.” In doing so, she closes out the album by capturing the vulnerability and frustration of wanting something, or someone, that feels just out of reach.
Despite its short 35-minute runtime, The Gem truly feels like a breath of fresh air, one that simultaneously soothes the mind with its gentle instrumentation while also unnerving the listener through striking lyricism. Jacklin deserves all the praise for this new record, and everyone should dive into her tender and heartbreaking discography.
Catch her in D.C. at the Lincoln Theatre on Nov. 10!
Alexa Goldfarb is a freshman in the College majoring in Biology. She is from Brooklyn, NY but will travel anywhere for a good concert.
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