'Feel It Break' by Austra is a stunning introduction to the Canadian electro-poppers

(Domino)

While Katie Stelmanis is very much the beating heart of Austra (who were awarded our Single of the Fortnight not too long ago), her vocals are the icing on an already rather tasty cake. Feel It Break introduces us to this Toronto trio and their dark blend of electronics, keys and minimalist beats with stunning openers ‘Darken Her Horse’ and ‘Lose It’. And it only gets better from here; an array of stand-out tracks soon revealed by their keen-eyed cherry picking of the most magical bits of Kraftwerk, early New Order and Goldfrapp pop sleaze – all reworked to powerful effect. And then there’s that voice; Stelmanis’ operatic, haunting delivery taking mournful melodies higher and higher. Wow.