Austra: Olympia

A lot of things have changed since Austra released their full-length debut Feel It Break in 2011. Originally operating in something of a vaccuum, they’ve been joined by new dreamy electro-poppers on the block like Chvrches, Neon Indian and Jagwar Ma. But the realm in which they dabble is not the only thing that has evolved for Katie Stelmanis & co. over the past two years. First, the ‘& Co.’ has expanded from a total of three collaborative members to six. Secondly, their fanbase has grown dramatically following two years of extensive touring that found Austra sharing stages with among other The xx and Grimes. And finally, the sound and the style of the Ontario collective has been the subject of a drastic makeover, far away from the stylings of the one-woman bedroom recording that first put Austra on the map.
With tracks titled ‘Forgive Me’, ‘Painful Like’, ‘Reconcile’ and ‘Hurt Me Now’, it’s clear that heartache has played its part in the making of this record. Opener ‘What We Done?’ starts out slow but gradually morphs into a track teeming with finely-tuned harmonies and stabbing synths. ‘Forgive Me’ is another confessional number that finds Stelmanis pleading, “What do I have to do to make you forgive me?”
Recurring themes aside, ‘Olympia’ is a completely eclectic collection, best reflected by current single ‘Home’, a creative mix of tribal noises, padded out by Stelmanis’ operatic vocals. The percussion-driven ‘Fire’ follows, before wonderful chimes ring out as ‘Reconcile’ steers the album toward the finish line. Though it features some underwhelming lyrics, Olympia is still an impressively upbeat dance record full of big, buoyant melodies.

Key Track: 'Home'