Don't Let the Kids Win

Released in 2016, 'Don't Let the Kids Win' served as the debut for Julia Jacklin and immediately established her as a premier voice in the indie-folk revival. Recorded in New Zealand with producer Ben Edwards, the album was completed in just three weeks, a timeline that contributed to its immediate and live-feeling energy. While Jacklin is often categorized alongside peers like Angel Olsen or Courtney Barnett, this record distinguishes itself through its specific 'suburban folk' lens and its heavy reliance on the clean, slightly overdriven sound of the electric guitar rather than the traditional acoustic. The album's critical success was bolstered by its lyrical maturity, particularly on tracks like 'Motherland' and the title track, which deal with the passage of time and the fear of aging with a wisdom that belied Jacklin's 25 years at the time of recording. It remains a foundational text for the 2010s Australian indie scene.