Angus & Julia Stone – Angus & Julia Stone (2xLP)

 

Weeks later, while both on their solo tours in Los Angeles, they found themselves in a meeting with Rick, whose passion and willingness to get the two of them back together recording in the same room, was too strong to be ignored. Fast-forward to September 2013, and Angus & Julia were together again. Recording at Rubin’s prestigious Shangri La Studios in Malibu, the duo created what is without doubt one of the most exciting full-length releases of 2014. 

 

Angus & Julia Stone the album was born out of spontaneity and is by far, the best record the siblings have made to date. “This album is extraordinary,” says Rubin. “Angus and Julia are truly unique musicians. They are authentic and pure people who do things from the heart. I’ve never worked with anyone like them before.” 

 

From the lazy garage strummed “Other Things” to the stomping drive of “A Heartbreak,” the hypnotic, languid pull of “Main Street” to the west coast jangle of “Grizzly Bear,” this record pulls you in with an intimacy and sincerity so often forgotten in the recording process these days, and it is exactly this charm that Rubin wanted to capture on the record. “Hearts Beats Slow” is a kiss goodbye to a longtime lover, “Little Whiskey” burns an electric energy like you’ve never heard before between the two musicians, and “Get Home” is the original demo recorded by Angus when living in New York City. 

 

For Rubin, it was all about capturing the moment. “There’s definitely a swagger to the record.” Angus agrees on the band’s artistic throw forward, “We hadn’t ever really looked at each other’s songs the way we did on this record – there was a common ground we had found beneath us this time. Especially from both being summoned out of the blue to create something together, I think we both felt the dust lift. We both felt empowered in coming back together, the timing was unexpected but well placed.” 

 

It has been almost four years since their last joint effort, and Angus & Julia have delivered an album that defies expectations. Call it a coming of age or a re-invention, but the new self-titled record by Angus & Julia Stone is their most exciting, visceral listen yet.