Is Down the Way a good place to start with Angus & Julia Stone?

Yes, Down the Way is recommended as a starting point for new Angus & Julia Stone listeners. Intimate melodies intertwine with hushed vocals, creating a dreamy soundscape that captures the essence of love and longing. Released in early 2010, Down the Way was Angus & Julia Stone's second studio album, following their self-titled debut in 2007. The album marked a turning point in their career, showcasing a matured sound and deeper emotional complexity that resonated with audiences worldwide.

Who is Down the Way for?

Down the Way works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, gradual builds and payoffs and layered, dense sonic textures.

How many songs are on Down the Way?

Down the Way has 13 tracks, running approximately 66 minutes.

Down the Way

Angus & Julia Stone · 2010

66 min · 13 tracks · folk music

Intimate melodies intertwine with hushed vocals, creating a dreamy soundscape that captures the essence of love and longing.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Hold On Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
→
Big Jet Plane — This track stands out for its haunting melody and evocative storytelling, encapsulating the album's themes of travel and yearning.
→
Black Crow — With its rich instrumentation and reflective lyrics, this song highlights the duo’s ability to blend folk elements with modern pop sensibilities.
→
Santa Monica Dream — The dreamlike quality of this track captures a sense of nostalgia and longing, making it emblematic of the album’s overall vibe.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album blends intimate melodies with layered vocals, creating a reflective listening experience.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces slower ballads that create a reflective atmosphere.
Vocals are often layered, with Angus and Julia Stone harmonizing closely, enhancing the intimacy of the sound.
Several tracks incorporate minimal instrumentation, allowing the vocals and melodies to take center stage, particularly in 'Big Jet Plane' and 'Hush'.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

long, immersive listening sessions
gradual builds and payoffs
layered, dense sonic textures
contemplative evening reflections

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established wider recognition with commercial success and breakout hit 'Big Jet Plane'.
Themes: Santa Monica nostalgia· dreamy longing· traveling heartache
Career context: Released in early 2010, Down the Way was Angus & Julia Stone's second studio album, following their self-titled debut in 2007. The album marked a turning point in their career, showcasing a matured sound and deeper emotional complexity that resonated with audiences worldwide.
Stylistic neighbors: The Paper Kites· First Aid Kit· Ben Howard