Listening to Angus & Julia Stone's latest full-length is a joyful experience. The Australian-born duo seems to inject every song with a playful, yet emotional brilliance which never veers into being embarrassingly twee. Down The Way is their second album, and despite travelling to the four corners of the globe in support of their last record, their sophomore effort doesn’t sound weary or devoid of ideas.

Lush and sweet opener ‘Hold On’ is a perfect introduction, with its sparse yet effective use of strings and Julia’s delicate vocal enchanting everything with its sweet tones. Forthcoming single ‘Big Jet Plane’ is another great example of their incorporation of string arrangements, with violin punctuating the boyish vocals of Angus. ‘Santa Monica Dream’ sees the two voices coming together, perfectly complementing each other as they lament for the past.

There are some lengthy tracks on the album too, though never does a song overstay its welcome. ‘Yellow Brick Road’ takes us on a beautiful journey that ends with a lovely bluesy guitar solo, while the finger-picked guitar and twinkling piano of album closer ‘The Devil’s Tears’ lulls the listener into a deep, sweet sleep over the course of its eight-plus minutes.

Angus & Julia Stone's second album is one to be savoured. As each thoughtful note whispers into your ears don't be surprised to be flooded with a genuine sense of contentment.