After being shortlisted for the Polaris Prize for their 2011 debut ‘Feel It Break’, expectations are naturally high for Austra’s second album, ‘Olympia’.
And it duly delivers, comprising a first-rate electro set rich with the imagination of songwriter Katie Stelmanis, whose love of oddball instrumentation and choral singing has resulted in a surprising and rewarding LP.
The harder tracks are beacons of verdant sexual energy, with tropical bossa bongos underpinning a filthy staccato synth bass on the outstanding ‘We Become’.
Elsewhere, Stelmanis’ vocals tug you in for a glimpse into her exotic musical mind. Superlative stuff.
8/10
Words: Hannah Lanfear
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