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Julia Jacklin release of ‘The Gem’ album

Overview

Australian singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin released the single ‘The Hardest Thing’ in August 2026, accompanied by a music video filmed over Melbourne. This served as the third single from her upcoming fourth studio album, ‘The Gem’.

On September 25, 2026, Jacklin released the full album through the label 4AD. The record was recorded at the Rat Shack, a Melbourne studio located above a pub, tattoo studio, and hairdresser. This unconventional setting required managing exterior noise from foot traffic and the venue below, which helped Jacklin embrace a more “organic and less controlled creative process.”

The project represents a significant shift in her career, marking her first release with 4AD and a departure from her previous recording habits. Unlike earlier albums often recorded quickly in North American cities, Jacklin utilized a year-long, “slow-burn production process” to break the industry cycle of constant touring and recording.

New details regarding the production reveal that Jacklin initially completed a version of the album in just ten days, but rejected it because she felt the musical choices were influenced by what she thought others would want to hear. She subsequently spent an additional eleven months working with producer Robert Muiños to refine the record. Musically, the album expands her sound by incorporating more rhythm, texture, and diverse arrangements, ranging from heavy indie rock and electronic pulses to delicate folk and piano-led ballads. The project explores themes of change, the tension between personal freedom and the desire for love, and the liberation found in breaking old patterns.

Entities

4AD · Julia Jacklin · Robert Muinos · Rat Shack · Melbourne

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Julia Jacklin releases fourth studio album ‘The Gem’

    Julia Jacklin has released ‘The Gem’, her fourth studio album, recorded in Melbourne with producer Robert Muiños after a lengthy process of creative refinement.

  2. [CULTURE] 6 sources
    Julia Jacklin releases new album ‘The Gem’

    Australian musician Julia Jacklin releases her fourth studio album, ‘The Gem’, marking her debut with label 4AD and a shift toward a slower, more intuitive recording process in Melbourne.

  3. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Julia Jacklin releases fourth studio album ‘The Gem’

    Australian singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin releases her fourth studio album, ‘The Gem’, recorded in a Melbourne studio above a pub.

  4. [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Julia Jacklin releases new single ‘The Hardest Thing’

    Australian artist Julia Jacklin has released her new single ‘The Hardest Thing’, a precursor to her upcoming album ‘The Gem’, set for release on September 25 via 4AD.

Sources

13thfloor.co.nz · altrevue.com · dansendeberen.be · highwayqueens.com · jazz-jazz.com · live4ever.uk.com · mindies.es · music.mxdwn.com · musikblog.de · nme-jp.com · spectrumculture.com · spillmagazine.com · stereogum.com · theneedledrop.com · vogue.com · zimbalam.fr

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history