Julia Stone's songs of freedom

Julia Stone is one of Australia’s most successful musicians. With her brother Angus, they gigged hard for years before cracking it internationally. The songs she’s written have topped Hottest 100’s, and packed out massive shows across the world.

Alongside her sibling outfit, she’s also released two solo albums. But it’s been about nine years since her last, so a new Julia Stone solo record? Everyone was keen.

When I heard the first single “Break”, it was immediately clear she was on a new path. Gone were the folky, wispy styling of her past. This was spiky music, it made you move, and I was curious to hear more.  When Julia released Sixty Summers, it was clear she’d turned a new corner. The album is a pop triumph, it’s full of brilliant new sounds and also a new sense of self belief, and conviction in her stories. For all of these reasons, I asked her to Take 5 with her songs of freedom. I wanted to get inside her musical brain, and hear about some of the artists who had lit a fire, and lit the path, for her.

From Bjork to Bowie to Robyn, this is an exploration not just of Julia the fan, but an artist turning a corner in her own creative life.

Bjork – 'Hyperballad'

James Blake – 'Barefoot in the Park' (ft Rosalia)

Fiona Apple – 'Fetch the Bolt Cutters'

David Bowie – 'Let’s Dance'

Robyn – 'Honey'