It is a weird thing, isn't it? Siblings usually spend their twenties trying to get as far away from each other as possible. But Angus and Julia Stone? They did the opposite. They built an entire universe out of hushed harmonies and acoustic guitars that somehow feels like a warm blanket and a punch to the gut at the same time.
They aren't just another indie-folk act from Sydney. Honestly, they’ve become the permanent soundtrack for late-night drives and rainy afternoons for millions of people.
If you’ve ever sat in a café and heard a breezy, slightly melancholic tune that made you want to sell everything and move to a van by the ocean, it was probably them. Their songs have this strange, magnetic quality. It’s folk, sure. But it’s also something else—something more cinematic.
The Accidental Power of Big Jet Plane
You can't talk about Angus and Julia Stone songs without starting with the one that basically changed their lives. "Big Jet Plane."
Here is a fun fact most people forget: Angus didn't even write it for the duo. He originally recorded it under his solo moniker, Lady of the Sunshine, back in 2009. It was on an album called Smoking Gun. It was grittier. A bit more raw.
But then they re-recorded it together for Down the Way in 2010. Suddenly, it was everywhere. It won the ARIA for Single of the Year and topped the Triple J Hottest 100. Even Post Malone obsessed over it, calling it his favorite song "for-fucking-ever."
People argue about what it means. Is it about a literal plane? Not really. Angus once told a crowd it was inspired by a "hippy chick" he met while hitchhiking. It’s about that fleeting, weekend-long kind of love. The kind that feels huge while it’s happening but is never meant to last.
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The lyrics are so simple it’s almost frustrating. "She smelled of daisies." That’s it. That’s the vibe. It works because it doesn't try too hard to be profound. It just is.
Why Their Best Stuff Often Isn't the Radio Hits
If you only know the big singles, you're kinda missing the point of their discography. There’s a darker, moodier side to their music that rarely gets the "mainstream" spotlight.
Take "Draw Your Swords."
This isn't a "peaceful morning" song. It’s desperate. When Angus belts out that line—you know the one, "let's not fuck around"—it’s a total departure from their usual whisper-folk. It feels like a breaking point.
Then you have "Santa Monica Dream." It became a cult favorite largely because of the game Life Is Strange. It’s a song about the quiet sadness of moving on. Julia’s voice on this track is so fragile it sounds like it might shatter if you turn the volume up too high.
A Breakdown of the "Big Three" Eras
- The Early Acoustic Days (2006–2009): Think A Book Like This. It was all about "Paper Aeroplane" and "The Beast." Very "flower-child" energy. Julia wore flowers in her hair, and they played glockenspiels.
- The Global Breakthrough (2010–2012): This was the Down the Way era. Higher production values, bigger tours, and the massive success of "For You" and "Big Jet Plane."
- The Rick Rubin Intervention (2014): They actually stopped talking for a while. They were done. But legendary producer Rick Rubin heard their music at a party and basically forced them back together in Hawaii. The result was the self-titled Angus & Julia Stone album, which gave us "Chateau" and "Heart Beats Slow."
The Truth About Chateau and the "Snow" Sound
By 2017, the siblings had shifted again. Their album Snow felt more cohesive. Why? Because for the first time, they actually wrote every single song together in the same room. Before that, they usually wrote separately and just helped each other out on the recordings.
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"Chateau" is the standout here.
It’s got that driving, hypnotic beat. It’s less about "folk" and more about an "atmosphere." The music video, starring Dacre Montgomery from Stranger Things, helped push it to 7x Platinum status in Australia.
It’s a song about wanting to hide away from the world. Most of their best work follows this theme. It’s escapism. Whether it’s a big jet plane or a hotel in France, they are always writing about leaving.
What's Happening Now? (Cape Forestier and Beyond)
The duo hasn't slowed down. Their 2024 album Cape Forestier is a bit of a "full circle" moment. It sounds more like their early 2007 stuff—more acoustic, more "front porch sway."
Songs like "Losing You" and the title track "Cape Forestier" show they’ve matured. They aren't trying to chase radio hits anymore. They’re just telling stories.
Essential Angus and Julia Stone Songs for Your Playlist
If you’re building a definitive list, you need a mix of the hits and the "if you know, you know" deep cuts:
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- The Crowd Pleasers: "Big Jet Plane," "Chateau," "Paper Aeroplane."
- The Emotional Wreckers: "For You," "Santa Monica Dream," "Draw Your Swords."
- The New Favorites: "Losing You," "The Wedding Song" (from Cape Forestier).
- The Quirky Covers: Their version of "You're The One That I Want" from Grease is surprisingly beautiful and totally unrecognizable from the original.
How to Get the Most Out of Their Music
Honestly? Don't shuffle their albums. They are vibe-dependent.
If you’re looking for something to help you focus or decompress, start with A Book Like This. If you want something a bit more "indie-rock" for a road trip, go with the self-titled 2014 album or Snow.
The magic of Angus and Julia Stone songs is that they don't demand your attention. They invite it. They’ve managed to stay relevant for nearly two decades by being authentically themselves—even when they weren't speaking to each other.
To really dive in, you should check out their solo projects too. Angus’s work as DOPE LEMON is much more psychedelic and "stoner rock," while Julia’s solo albums, like Sixty Summers, lean into experimental art-pop. Understanding their individual styles makes you appreciate the "Stones" sound even more. You can hear where the grit comes from (Angus) and where the ethereal polish comes from (Julia).
Start with a dedicated listen to Down the Way from start to finish. It remains the gold standard for Australian indie-folk for a reason.