Julia Jacklin’s fourth album, The Gem, continues her artistic journey into themes of dualities and spirituality. The 10-track collection blends introspective storytelling with a variety of musical styles, reflecting her ongoing exploration of personal and philosophical questions. Throughout the album, Jacklin frequently returns to the idea of God, examining the emotional complexity of feeling free while being watched over, as she sings on the fifth track, Angel Vision. In God Sometimes, the second track, she embraces the idea of self-determination, while If I Had the Hand of God questions whether having all knowledge would truly change the course of life. Musically, The Gem offers a rich tapestry of sounds. It includes lush pop-rock tracks like God Sometimes and The Hardest Thing, as well as upbeat jangle guitar in the lead single, Get Away From Me (I Think I'll Love You Soon). The album also features stripped-back acoustics on songs like Angel Vision and the piano-driven You Turned On the Tap. In Real Life, the album’s midpoint, Jacklin transitions from a lo-fi beginning with a tinny drum machine to a more intricate, quiet arrangement, showcasing her ability to build complexity from simplicity. Jacklin’s voice is often described as gentle and controlled, allowing her lyrics to resonate with tenderness and emotional depth. The album opens with Brand New, where she repeats the title phrase over a layered, defiant declaration: “I’m free now, let me be brand new.” The closing track, I Wish, features the Melbourne folk duo the Maes, evoking the harmonies of another local group, the Folk Bitch Trio. The song Walk On Me is particularly moving, with its emotional delivery that feels reminiscent of her previous work on Crushing. The album cover features a triptych of lockets, each containing a portrait of Jacklin. In two circular frames, she smiles, but in the rectangular one, her expression is mysterious and unreadable. The Gem is now available, offering listeners a reflective and musically diverse continuation of Jacklin’s artistic vision.