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8.5
55740
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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8.3
55943
8.3 |
Pretty Much Amazing
An immersive sophomore effort, whisking the listener away to a wonderland perpetually frozen in one color
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8.0
55975
8.0 |
State
As a whole this is as rewarding as its predecessor, although not readily different enough to merit the same praise
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8.0
55979
8.0 |
The Skinny
The depth and emotional pull of the production here is exceptional
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8.0
55741
8.0 |
Clash
Superlative stuff
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8.0
55738
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
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8.0
55767
8.0 |
The Guardian
Clean, considered, with every detail in its place and a clear sense of its own identity
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8.0
55779
8.0 |
The Fly
There’s much to enjoy
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8.0
55790
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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8.0
55835
8.0 |
The Observer
Sub-zero synths and crashing drums resound through this fine second album
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8.0
55892
8.0 |
All Music
Olympia feels like the beginning of a more sustainable, and versatile, direction for the band
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8.0
56039
8.0 |
The Irish Times
An eclectic affair that doesn’t hamper Austra’s cool exterior
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8.0
56048
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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8.0
56121
8.0 |
Q
Exquisite listening. Print edition only
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7.8
56620
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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7.2
56235
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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7.2
55851
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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7.0
55854
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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7.0
55881
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
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7.0
56028
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
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7.0
55739
7.0 |
musicOMH
A sizeable step up from its predecessor and a fine album in its own right
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7.0
55748
7.0 |
NME
And album to dance, not cry, to. Print edition only
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7.0
56476
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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7.0
56054
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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7.0
55934
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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6.7
55879
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
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6.0
55737
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
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6.0
55837
6.0 |
Independent on Sunday
Katie Stelmanis's emotionally tortured vibrato meshes with her band's lush textures to often-potent effect
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