InRO Weekly — Volume 1, Issue 1

ALBUM REVIEWS
IDFK
Julia Wu
Simply put: Julia Wu has established
herself as one of the most consistent
artists of the decade so far. The
Australian-Chinese singer-songwriter has
put out an album every year since 2019
(and more before that) — the mixed
Mandarin and English 5 am in 2019, its
entirely English version 5 pm in 2020, 2622
in summer 2021, and now IDFK in winter
2022 — and each of them has been a
smooth, groovy R&B delight. Highlights
during that run include the indelible hook
of “One in a Billion,” the hazy “Sunset,” and
the cozy, rainy day single Better,” plus
many more tracks that fully vibe without
sacrificing their character.
IDFK’s title might seem to
suggest an under-promise, but
its content is that of an
excellent R&B record that easily
lives up to the standard of Wu’s
last few projects. “If Only You,”
for instance, is the exact kind
of song that tends to grace the
middle section of a Wu
tracklist, but it’s so velvety and
honestly sung that the
familiarity justifies itself. Other
tracks do try styles that she
hasn’t explored quite as much:
On opener “I Can’t,” Wu tosses
off the line “I could be
everything that you’ll ever need”
over refreshingly dancey
production, and “The
One,” with its funky electric guitar and
disco synth shimmers, is one of the
artist’s most upbeat songs to date. In
contrast, single “Late Night Cruising” is
slow and sultry, vocals drawn out around
the bends in the road: “Make a little wish,
I’ll take you up high / Breaking through the
clouds, we’ll feel the sun rise.”
The title of the eponymous track
downplays its lyrical content, where Wu
reaches up into her falsetto over muted
electric guitar to declare that she “feel[s]
like staring into you forever.” A lot of her
songs capture this sensation, that of
being caught up in feelings for another
person to the point where the music
communicates almost a physical texture
being caught up in feelings for another
person to the point where the music
communicates almost a physical texture
to her desire. With the exception of the
bouncy, slightly more cynical “Retail
Therapy,” the tracks on IDFK are focused
on attraction and romance, and that’s one
of the reasons why, despite its consistent
sound, Wu’s music doesn’t feel stale. Even
when the hooks are breezy, her songs are
deeply felt, and her vocal performances
operate as such passionate confessions
that they make every line feel important.
It’s no surprise, then, that the overall
production on the album is warm, packed
with lush vocal layering, and neatly
balancing elegance and casual
conversation. IDFK may only consist of
eight tracks, but it accomplishes a lot in
that limited space. There are a
few immediate discography
highlights, some familiar tracks
that ground the set as a
distinctly Julia Wu project, and
enough quality and variety to
hopefully pull in new fans too.
Not every, and nary a, prolific
musician is able to reliably pair
quantity with quality — so when
an artist does manage to
deliver every time, even if only
over a period of time, it’s even
more important for us listeners
to celebrate. — KAYLA
BEARDSLEE
LABEL: ChynaHouse Digital Co.
RELEASE DATE: December 2
20