Austra – Olympia
Having heard a few new songs during Austra’s CMW show at Danforth Music Hall in February, “excited” doesn’t even begin to express how much I was anticipating their new album. Austra’s sophomore album, Olympia, released almost a week ago, has already been named Itunes Canada’s #1 electronic album.
The band produces a different, but familiar sound. It isn’t quite as head-bopping as some songs on their previous album. The songs on Olympia seem to be more experimental, where the instruments ebb and flow. On Feel It Break, their previous album, songs were held up by a memorable synth riff and a strong bass line. There are a few hits on the record, such as “Painful Like,” “What We Done” and “Home,” which have a similar sound to older songs.
On Olympia, the instruments present themselves enough to make them just danceable, but not quite. Although the instruments take a more minimalist approach, Katie Stelmanis and her incredible classically-trained voice and wide range highlight the emotional lyrics. It exposes a more personal and vulnerable side of Stelmanis. In tracks such as “We Become,” it’s evident that the group has gone for a more democratic approach in the album’s production. More vocal contribution from the twins can be heard, which helps shape their overall eerie and penetrating sound.
The songs seem to follow a common pattern, where they begin very minimalistic and then slowly build up to a dark electronic climax. This arrangement really made the album cohesive and audibly well-crafted. The distinct and more developed sound clearly sets this band apart from their contemporaries and show that they do have the ability to grow and avoid the sophomore slump.
In all honesty, it took two listens for the album to finally grow on me. The songs may not be as catchy as those on their previous album, but the subtle musical craftsmanship and lyrics are without a doubt a huge leap forward and demonstrate that Austra can get out of the comfort zone of “dance-pop.”
NXNE ’13: Bernice @ The Piston – June 12, 2013
Crafting a tangible atmosphere seems like second nature for Toronto R&B outfit, Bernice, who showcased their dreamy sound at The Piston on NXNE’s first night of music. Before they could begin their set, front-woman Robin Dann gracefully held sway over the crowd (with some jokes you’ve probably heard your uncle tell last Christmas), as minor technical difficulties were resolved. But allaying the wait was easy with Dann’s cool confidence, which carried over into her embodiment of the band’s music.
‘Laid back’ and ‘chill’ would be easy descriptors of Bernice’s soulful electronic songs, but imbuing them with a distinct quality takes some keen vocal work by Dann. Her voice can fluently drift from a breathy hover to a sudden fullness the whole room can feel. Stand-out track “New Bodies,” perhaps best displayed Dann’s command – both over her own vocal ability and the crowd’s interest, as she climbed the song’s glowing chorus — “If you shoot an arrow and it goes pretty hard…” — before the enchanted audience.
But if only one song were to stay with you after leaving for the rest of the night, it would surely be “Body Motivation,” which featured another crescendo chorus seated alongside a pair of breezy pop verses. The song had an airy jazz pace to it, but their lounge-y R&B side came into full effect with “How to be French,” both through the groovy bass line and the whirly keyboard work (Thank Yeezus the midi cable ended up working).
With summer well underway, Bernice is the perfect soundtrack for lovers of Little Dragon, Poliça and maybe even Purity Ring with their fairytale-like charm, each fantastical line more alluring than the last.
Olenka & the Autumn Lovers – Hard Times
Hard Times is Olenka Krakus’s fifth album released last October. Produced by multi-instrumentalist band member, Simon Larochette, and mixed by Dan Weston (Paper Lions, Grey Kingdom, City and Colour), the album’s sound seems fuller and more matured.
The band’s instrumental and vocal qualities comfortably puts them in the folk and country territory and would invite favourable comparisons to Tom Waits, Wilco, Cat Power, and Timbre Timbre. Everything is carefully arranged so that each instrument enters humbly, plays its role, and quietly leaves. In fact, everything slots together nicely on the album. There’s barely anything out of place. Olenka’s night-silk voice weaves through delicate violin melody lines in ‘Grey Morning’ and is underscored by the lap steel solos in ‘Don’t Make Sense.’
Olenka’s voice is paired with lyrics which may seem delicate and beautiful but underlying them is a darker narrative that evokes nostalgia for the her old country, Poland, and explores themes of foreigness, loneliness, and the unknown, in both foreign and familiar landscapes. Sung by a warm and comforting voice, the songs seem to be made to be listened to with a cup of tea by a living room fire or with a glass of whiskey in a musty bar.
This album can be perfectly described by the band’s name. It is really for autumn lovers.
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Olenka & the Autumn Lovers are participating in this year’s NXNE and you can catch them at the Rivoli on 23 June as a part of the Box Salon Series.
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