One of the most talked about acts in the week following this year's SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, Austra has been quietly making waves for some time beforehand. It's easy to see why, too. As well as the Toronto trio's careful concoction of bouncy synthpop and otherworldly atmospherics, there's something almost inhuman about Katie Stelmanis' sturdy, gently oscillating voice, perfectly complementing Austra's futuristic electronics, and utterly beguiling when layered upon itself in many competing harmonies.
With such a unique voice and a off-kilter approach to electronic pop, comparisons can and have been drawn between Austra and Fever Ray or Glasser, yet Stelmanis' tunes are miles more accessible, with danceable 1980s vibes seeping through, particularly in the glittery chimes of 'Spellwork' or the retro keyboards of 'Hate Crime'. Meanwhile, single 'Lose It' becomes catchier every time you hear it, culminating in an apex of circling voices.
Yet the most intriguing thing about 'Feel It Break' is the darker edge of Austra to be heard on 'Beat and The Pulse,' its solid beat and brisk bass creating a club ambience with sinister undercurrents. Anchored in its quirky staccato piano, 'Shoot the Water' is probably the simplest of tune here, yet it has bags of personality that make it stand out vividly from the other ten. Hardly losing momentum throughout its duration, Austra have produced easily one of the best debuts of the year so far.
