Future Politics
Shifting between speaker-rattling blasts of lush, goth-tinged techno and the propulsive throb of synth-pop at its darkest, Austra fills their third album with sharply politicized club bangers, along with ghostly ballads about the power of resistance in a tumultuous era. Whether the band is pounding out a menacing floor-filler like “Utopia” or reveling in keyboard-driven eeriness on “Freepower,” frontwoman Katie Stelmanis often swaps her trademark vocal fireworks for a hypnotic murmur, but her soaring, intense choruses will still take your breath away.
With a newly pared down sound, Austra’s latest synth-pop record concerns itself primarily with the dark side of “the personal is political.” But it is essentially optimistic, and presents solutions.
With a newly pared down sound, Austra’s latest synth-pop record concerns itself primarily with the dark side of “the personal is political.” But it is essentially optimistic, and presents solutions.
When Austra frontwoman Katie Stelmanis began working on Future Politics, she had no idea that, upon its release, the album’s dystopian landscape would pan over so seamlessly to the world outside. “When I was writing it, I was feeling like some of these ideas were a little bit left-field,” she told The Guardian. “I…
When Austra frontwoman Katie Stelmanis began working on Future Politics, she had no idea that, upon its release, the album’s dystopian landscape would pan over so seamlessly to the world outside. “When I was writing it, I was feeling like some of these ideas were a little bit left-field,” she told The Guardian. “I…
After a godawful 2016, Austra's third album will help you rebuild your faith in humanity. Read the NME verdict.
The Canadian synthpop outfit's manifesto is reminder that revolution doesn't just happen in the streets, but in the most intimate spaces.
The Canadian synthpop outfit's manifesto is reminder that revolution doesn't just happen in the streets, but in the most intimate spaces.
After a godawful 2016, Austra's third album will help you rebuild your faith in humanity. Read the NME verdict.
On Future Politics we find Austra in flattering light but still hovering on the brink of taking the first steps towards a radical utopia.
On Future Politics we find Austra in flattering light but still hovering on the brink of taking the first steps towards a radical utopia.
For the most part, both of Austra's first two records, 2011's Feel It Break and 2013's Olympia, were concerned with the past and present, bu...
For the most part, both of Austra's first two records, 2011's Feel It Break and 2013's Olympia, were concerned with the past and present, bu...
Toronto-based Austra's third album, Future Politics, pushes their modus of uptempo mystic darkwave permeated by airy goth song.
Toronto-based Austra's third album, Future Politics, pushes their modus of uptempo mystic darkwave permeated by airy goth song.
Returning for a third stab at the ethereal, Canada’s Katie Stelmanis (AKA Austra) returns with eleven tracks tackling the strange and savage times
Returning for a third stab at the ethereal, Canada’s Katie Stelmanis (AKA Austra) returns with eleven tracks tackling the strange and savage times
'Future Politics' by Austra, album review by Gregory Adams. The full-length comes out January 20 via Pink Fizz/Domino Records. Austra, play 1/20 in Toronto.
'Future Politics' by Austra, album review by Gregory Adams. The full-length comes out January 20 via Pink Fizz/Domino Records. Austra, play 1/20 in Toronto.