‘Olympia’ is the second album from Austra, following the
group’s debut ‘Feel It Break’ in 2011. It’s
also the album that should see them breaking out of relative obscurity and into
the mainstream alongside the likes of fellow Canadians Grimes and Blood Diamonds.
Austra are fronted by classically trained and unique
vocalist Katie Stelmanis, creating dark, alternative synth-pop. On ‘Olympia’, their sound has been expanded
into bass-heavy disco offerings – the hooky, soaring Painful Like; the hypnotic thrum of Sleep; the funky syncopations and handclaps of Annie (Oh muse, you). The
production layers synths with a glossy sheen, but isn’t afraid to throw in some
curveballs such as the flute solo on current single Home, or the mournful cello opening of Fire followed by mesmeric marimba patterns and a huge bass drop. Strings, harps and brass abound, this is on a
much grander scale than ‘Feel It Break’.
Most of all, ‘Olympia’ is drenched in sadness, despite its
disco aesthetic, owing predominantly to the haunting vocals. “What do I have to do to make you forgive me?”,
Stelmanis calls out on Forgive Me,
before the track plunges into a whirl of sub bass and sorrowful strings. Penultimate track You Changed My Life begins simply with an oscillating piano riff
and Stelmanis’ fragile vocal, before its disco beats slowly creep up on you in the
dark. ‘Olympia’ might not be the
catchiest pop album of the year and its meanderings do become predictable, but Austra
manage that magical combination of melancholic disco to rival the likes of
Robyn.
4/5
Gizzle’s Choice:
* Painful Like
* Sleep
* Annie (Oh muse, you)
Listen: ‘Olympia’ is available now.
Watch: Austra are touring both the states and Europe over
the course of the year.