Julia Stone

The broad church that supports the collective assembly of Communion Records was only formed 6 years ago through the vision of Ben 'Mumford' Lovett, bassist Kevin Jones and producer Ian Grimble. From its early roots as a club night, it has now flourished into an umbrella that nurtures, produces and records some of the most interesting and individual emerging talents around. Communion Records has already had a helping hand in the development of Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Matthew And The Atlas, Alessi's Ark, Pete Roe and Lissie to name but a few. 'Communion: New Faces' represents the label's third full-length compilation and contains no less than 20 tracks from a diverse string of like-minded artists.

Continue reading: Various Artists, Communion: New Faces Album Review

Although she may have shed a stone, Julia has lost no weight with her latest release. Deciding to take a brief time out from the Sydney sibling partnership and ditch young Angus for a solo album of her own, Julia Stone has proven she doesn't need to rely on her brothers influence or input. 'Julia Stone In The Memory Machine' is a stunning individual debut from the Antipodean songstress, and, her second great album this year, following on from the duos highly acclaimed 'Down The Way'.

Memory Machine, if you judge a book by its cover, or CD by its sleeve, should be about 50's shock/mock horror, all pulp fiction novellas where there is evil lurking in every shadow, where screams of shrill panic penetrate the smog filled air and dames and broads tough it out in a world of spivs looking to get made. Thankfully, or disappointingly for some, it is not.........."I think I was in a really dark space when I wrote it so it's a little evil record. It's not angry, just spooky."

The railroad rhythm and gently brushed snare drum of 'This Love' opens up the album with a tenderness distilled from naivety and vulnerability. Julia's soft child like voice sits above the delicate instrumentation as she layers her harmonies to sweep and swirl around the track. What follows is pure delight. The delicacy and beauty, of the subtly stringed 'My Baby', are beyond compare, certainly this year. The tale of unconditional love is tragic, tortuous and sorrowful but perfectly captured, mesmerisingly performed and captivatingly emotive.

Continue reading: Julia Stone, Julia Stone In The Memory Machine Album Review