Julia Stone releases video for new single 'Dance' and announces release of new album

Image: Brooke Ashley Barone
Australian singer-songwriter today announces that her third solo album Sixty Summers will be released on February 19, her first solo album in eight years.

The album, available for pre-order now, has been recorded sporadically over five years from 2015 and was created with Thomas Bartlett, aka Doveman , and Annie Clark who is better known as St. Vincent. “Making this record with Thomas, I felt so free. I can hear it in the music,” says Stone. “He brings a sense of confidence to recording sessions.” A huge sonic change from her previous indiepop-folk solo releases, Sixty Summers sees Stone embrace glistening, experimental electro pop as evidenced by the first two singles from the album, the quirky ‘Break’ and the dark, moody and utterly hypnotic ‘Unreal’. Sixty Summers promises to be one of the most exciting releases of next year.

Also today Stone unleashes the music video for her third single of 2020, ‘Dance’. A smooth, sensual track with half spoken verses and a mesmirising chorus of which Stone says: “‘Dance’ was written as I thought about those very rare and often very special times when strong messages are sent and received silently between people. I was thinking about the moments we can share, when words are ineffective to communicate to those you love or are just unnecessary in a moment of deep connection…. When there’s nothing else to say or do, ‘Why don’t we dance’… It occurs with love and happiness but also pain and empathy. Heart, in all its appearances.”

Directed by Jessie Hill, the music video features Hollywood legends Susan Sarandon and Danny Glover, showing the excitement of a new love as the pair prepare for their first date before dancing together through the streets of New York. “Particularly in this moment, I wanted to make a memorable video with a whimsical message about love, a story reflecting the times where more than ever we need to come together and connect,” Hill says of the video. “I also wanted to explore an oft-neglected demographic and reframe the way we look at age. There’s a specific sexiness to maturity, something to revere. We need to see more examples of the wiser generation portrayed in film as exciting, open and highly desirable. Having two icons like Danny and Susan come together to breathe life into this concept was a dream come true."

The revival of Julia Stone’s solo career has been one of the brightest moments in pop music this year, and this new era of her career has showcased her as one of the most unique, talented and truly memorable Australian music artists. Due on February 19, given what we have already heard Sixty Summers seems set to be one of the greatest albums released in 2021.

‘Dance’ is out now via BMG. You can download and stream here.

Sixty Seconds is released on February 19 2021. It is available for pre-order now.

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