Sometimes Julie have spent five records working as a full band, folding classic and alternative rock into a tight live setup. On Transition, singer-songwriter duo Monica Sorenson and Rick Walker zoom in on the most direct parts of that project: piano, voice, and a small circle of players from their San Diego orbit. It’s their sixth album, but the first that really leans into the “indie singer/songwriter” tag they talk about, pulling their rock, pop, and country habits into something quieter and more exposed.
“Carry Her” sets the tone. A bendy guitar idea and low-mid piano move together, the keys filling the body of the harmony while the guitar flicks across the top. Sorenson’s vocal arrives with a lot of character straight away, and once the drums slide in, the song settles into a slow, slightly heavy groove. It feels like the moment where the record decides to stay close to the ground
The title track, “Transition”, keeps Sorenson up front with guitar and vocal almost alone at first. Small guitar licks curl around the lines, with light percussion and soft string pads slowly swelling behind her. The arrangement stays sparse but not empty, giving the word “transition” a literal frame: you can hear the song move from bare bones to something more cinematic.
“Before” jumps straight into piano and voice, built around a very clear, romantic hook. The guitar feels warmer and more prominent here, and when the percussion crashes and strings arrive, it starts to resemble the kind of theme you’d expect over opening credits. It still fits the EP’s intimate frame, just with slightly brighter colors.
The standout is “I Dreamed of You”. It opens on solo piano, then lets the vocal climb gradually until the middle, where the song suddenly grows teeth. Orchestral crashes, deep hits, and staccato strings give it weight, and Sorenson pushes hardest here without losing control. It’s the most obviously “cinematic” piece in the set and feels built for sync in the best way.
Closing tracks “Shooting Star” and “Finally the Rain” stay with the piano-and-strings palette. The former leans on a clear, steady progression; the latter holds back until the end, where the final vocal hook and thicker backing finally land. Across all six songs, Transition dials down Sometimes Julie’s rock spine without losing it, and lets Sorenson’s writing about love, loss, and trying to live honestly carry everything.
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