Angus & Julia Stone - Cape Forestier (2024) (Hi-Res)

Stars in their native Australia, siblings Angus & Julia Stone have never quite broken through in the US, though it's hard to guess why. Post Malone and Rick Rubin—who co-produced the duo's eponymous 2014 record—are vocal fans, and the Stones play a blend of folk, country and '70s inspired AOR that's made acts like the Head and the Heart and Bon Iver popular. On their fifth album since 2007, there's an undeniable Fleetwood Mac vibe to the great "Losing You" and "Down to the Sea"; dark and mysterious, the latter's fuzzed out Lindsey Buckingham-esque guitar serves an edgy counterpoint to the lush vocals. And the vocals are key here: Julia's baby-doll lilt and Angus's high, gentle style are a natural match that makes each other's songs better. The harmonies shine on “City of Lights" and "County Sign," a countrified waltz with pedal steel and mandolin from co-producer Ben Edgar. On his own, Angus is a bit of a shape-shifter.

He takes the lead on "My Little Anchor," showing off the Bob Dylan-like bite that has colored much of his solo work. Banjo gently tumbles, bass drum booms like a heartbeat and a surprise trumpet solo brightens up the place. On a tambourine-jangling, high-spirited cover of Dylan's "I Want You," Angus moves things along, not bothering to drawl and draw out words in the style of the original. The honey-dripping title track finds Angus trying on Sam Cooke soul, with Julia applying a light-touch shadow. "No Boat, No Aeroplane," with its contrast of banjo and lonely harmonica against a laid-back, almost hip-hop beat, features psychedelic-laced vocals from the brother. Julia's best solo turn is on fairy-dusted "Sitting in Seoul," boosted with strings and a lovely singalong chorus. "The Wedding Song" may be a bid for first-dance-at-the-reception relevance—not to mention Hallmark movie soundtracks—but it's effective, with Julia promising a rosy future of "[making] babies on the beach under the stardust" over acoustic strumming before a low, slow trumpet solo drifts in. © Shelly Ridenour

Tracklist
1 Losing You
2 Down to the Sea
3 My Little Anchor
4 Cape Forestier
5 County Sign
6 City of Lights
7 No Boat No Aeroplane
8 The Wedding Song
9 I Want You
10 Somehow
11 Sitting in Seoul
12 The Wonder of You