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Olympia

Austra

Olympia

Second album from the Canadian synthpop band fronted by singer Katie Stelmanis

ADM rating[?]

7.5

Label
Domino
UK Release date
17/06/2013
US Release date
18/06/2013
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  1. 8.5 |   The 405

    A release full of beautiful, untarnished music that's bound to have a hand in propelling them into the stratosphere
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  2. 8.3 |   Pretty Much Amazing

    An immersive sophomore effort, whisking the listener away to a wonderland perpetually frozen in one color
    Read Review

  3. 8.0 |   State

    As a whole this is as rewarding as its predecessor, although not readily different enough to merit the same praise
    Read Review

  4. 8.0 |   The Skinny

    The depth and emotional pull of the production here is exceptional
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  5. 8.0 |   Clash

    Superlative stuff
    Read Review

  6. 8.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    It’s a much more dancefloor-orientated record than its predecessor, marked by flirtations with everything from piano house to dubstep – which sounds a touch voguish, but that’s kind of not how it comes across at all
    Read Review

  7. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    Clean, considered, with every detail in its place and a clear sense of its own identity
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  8. 8.0 |   The Fly

    There’s much to enjoy
    Read Review

  9. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    For the most part, this is another masterful outing from a band on the brink of the big time
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  10. 8.0 |   The Observer

    Sub-zero synths and crashing drums resound through this fine second album
    Read Review

  11. 8.0 |   All Music

    Olympia feels like the beginning of a more sustainable, and versatile, direction for the band
    Read Review

  12. 8.0 |   The Irish Times

    An eclectic affair that doesn’t hamper Austra’s cool exterior
    Read Review

  13. 8.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    Olympia’s aura pervades the listening sphere Austra has fabricated for their second LP, transcending the frozen cave of their first to the upper echelons of atmospheric dance-pop
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  14. 8.0 |   Q

    Exquisite listening. Print edition only

  15. 7.8 |   Beats Per Minute

    The band is now a sextet, and it’s when they’re making you fully aware of this that they’re at their strongest
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  16. 7.2 |   Pitchfork

    The group's going not for shock but shrug value, the sort that gets disturbing once you process what you've just heard
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  17. 7.2 |   Bowlegs

    This release has a dark, feminine aspect to it and is so emotional and generous with its connection that if you’re in that frame of mind you’ll want to turn it up to the point of distortion
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  18. 7.0 |   DIY

    A genuinely bold attempt from Austra to expand on their debut while retaining most of what it was that made them stand out in the first place
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  19. 7.0 |   Under The Radar

    While not as fully committed to outright, aloof oddity as contemps like The Knife, they know how to wear some black
    Read Review

  20. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    The most powerful departures on Olympia are thanks to Stelmanis’ newfound touch with dance-pop nuances, as Austra turns down the volume and puts the focus on the finer subtleties
    Read Review

  21. 7.0 |   musicOMH

    A sizeable step up from its predecessor and a fine album in its own right
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  22. 7.0 |   NME

    And album to dance, not cry, to. Print edition only

  23. 7.0 |   No Ripcord

    A more polished, sharper work, but one that comes with its own dualities – on the one hand lyrically more grounded and focused, on the other far wider-reaching musically
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  24. 7.0 |   Loud And Quiet

    You can find plenty of moments of artistic precision here, but these twelve tracks don’t insist on themselves like great songs should
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  25. 7.0 |   Paste Magazine

    The construction of the songs feels rigid and too tight at times, making their best compositions easier to appreciate than love
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  26. 6.7 |   A.V. Club

    Even with the larger sound, Olympia is a significantly more personal record than its predecessor, packed with affecting confessions of love, pain, and insecurity
    Read Review

  27. 6.0 |   The Arts Desk

    Full of hints and potential, Olympia is screaming out for club remixes. Austra sound like they’re starting an intriguing new chapter
    Read Review

  28. 6.0 |   Independent on Sunday

    Katie Stelmanis's emotionally tortured vibrato meshes with her band's lush textures to often-potent effect
    Read Review

  29. Back to main chart

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Austra: Olympia

  • Download full album for just £8.49
  • 1. What We Done? £0.89
  • 2. Forgive Me £0.89
  • 3. Painful Like £0.89
  • 4. Sleep £0.89
  • 5. Home £0.89
  • 6. Fire £0.89
  • 7. I Don't Care (I'm a Man) £0.89
  • 8. We Become £0.89
  • 9. Reconcile £0.89
  • 10. Annie (Oh muse, you) £0.89
  • 11. You Changed My Life £0.89
  • 12. Hurt Me Now £0.89
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