You Need 'Feel It Break,' The New Album From Austra YOU NEED IT

Toronto-based gloom-pop outfit Austra is currently getting a whole lot of attention. Their debut full-length album Feel It Break is gonna drop any day now, and anyone standing by salivating is doing so in good company. I cannot wait.

The group is formed by vocalist Katie Stelmanis, percussionist Maya Postepski and bassist Dorian Wolf - the first two band members you may or may not recall from Toronto-based queer riot grrrl band, Galaxy.

Austra don't feel the need to be labeled, okay? Their music won't slide neatly into any one genre and so we've been making up new ones, most commonly 'operatic dance' and 'gloom-pop'. Both fit perfectly. Stelmanis' gothic vocal style is spellbinding and melodramatic, but never overbearing - she's perfectly balanced with Wolf and Postepski's chunky synthy dancey beats.

Feel It Break is one of the most interesting and addictive records I've heard this year, and right now the champs at NPR are streaming it in its entirety. Get onto it now before I wear out their music player. Seriously.

STREAM 'FEEL IT BREAK' HERE

Feel It Break will be released on May 17. Pre-order your copy here.

Check out Austra's strange new music video for the track "Lose It" below.

27 responses to “You Need 'Feel It Break,' The New Album From Austra YOU NEED IT”

jstlookinaround (member)
May 10, 2011 at 11:36 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

So unique. I dig this band
Thanks for the always great recommendation(s), Crystal

and love me some NPR!!

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Po (member)
May 11, 2011 at 12:14 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

Excellent. Just fucking excellent.

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Liv (member)
May 11, 2011 at 12:19 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

Thank you for this, fucking great.

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kitten sandwich (member)
May 11, 2011 at 3:41 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

i cannot recommend this band more. crystal, you should post their “beat and the pulse” video! it is excellent. EXCELLENT

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1. Crystal (member)
  May 11, 2011 at 4:09 pm Permalink Log in to reply.
  
  You’re right, here it is —> http://youtu.be/chTzRzuscys
  
  Someone emailed me that video a while ago, I can’t remember who it was but I am v. grateful because that’s how I first got into this band.
  
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  1. Crystal (member)
    May 11, 2011 at 4:10 pm Permalink Log in to reply.
    
    NSFW, kids
    
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Beth
May 11, 2011 at 3:46 am Permalink Log in to reply.

Hm, I saw them live in Manchester [UK] the other week.
Totally beautiful. I’ve had their YouTube tracks on repeat ever since.

Stunning, and soaring vocals.
Still trying to figure out all the lyrics…

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m. on the rocks (member)
May 11, 2011 at 5:05 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

yessssssss

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yodelmachine (member)
May 11, 2011 at 6:12 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

yo, when y’all post amazon links, are they affiliate links? i’m more likely to buy off amazon if it’ll kick you guys a couple of bucks.

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1. Crystal (member)
  May 11, 2011 at 4:12 pm Permalink Log in to reply.
  
  Yes!
  Every time someone buys something via an Amazon link published on our site, Autostraddle gets a very small cut. every cent helps.
  
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  1. Crystal (member)
    May 11, 2011 at 4:13 pm Permalink Log in to reply.
    
    And thank you!
    
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Squid (member)
May 11, 2011 at 8:34 am Permalink Log in to reply.

So good…

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Emy (member)
May 11, 2011 at 8:42 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

I saw them live in Camden(London, UK) and they were crazy good, great atmosphere. I’d definitely recommend that people buy their music and where possible go see them live.

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k8 (member)
May 11, 2011 at 8:57 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

PRE ORDERED. So mesmerized by Lose It. SO GOOD.

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simone
May 11, 2011 at 9:36 am Permalink Log in to reply.

super crazy video though. not too sure about that, but great song. will be getting this when it comes out for sure.

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Lindsay (member)
May 11, 2011 at 9:39 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

This is gorgeous – anyone in Boston want to go see them on the 25th?

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ragdoll (member)
May 11, 2011 at 10:00 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

Eeeee I formspring-ed you about them today, Crystal! Were we on the same wavelength, or did you immediately fall in love upon following my tip and post here right away? Either way, yay! I’m really glad to have a place to talk about Austra where everyone isn’t already sick of me talking about Austra. Preordered the album, hoping I can make it to the San Diego show in July.

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1. ragdoll (member)
  May 11, 2011 at 10:02 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user
  
  Also, I have been awake for 28 hours straight (working on my thesis project) with no prospect of sleep until tonight, and I kind of don’t mind because I have Katie Stelmanis’s vocals to keep me company.
  
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Cow (member)
May 11, 2011 at 10:31 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

Sounds fantastic… New album from Austra, consider yourself pre-ordered!

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Raquel (member)
May 11, 2011 at 2:26 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

I am so loving this. It sounds spectacularly 80′s for some reason

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1. ragdoll (member)
  May 11, 2011 at 3:52 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user
  
  It is New Wave-alicious.
  
  Ahhh I’m just so obsessed.
  
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Jules (member)
May 11, 2011 at 6:03 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

This album is the best thing I’ve heard in like, an aeon. For real. Also, that video made me strangely happy. Maybe because it seemed vaguely lesbionic, involved military chic, and made my nosebleeds feel understood…? Either way, gonna be escaping into this dark and shiny headphones-world for a long time to come. Thanks for the recommendation!

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Krystle (member)
May 11, 2011 at 6:23 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

Yah so I got ridiculously excited over the slap-hand game that the two ladies were playing before they started to wrestle a bit. LOVE that hand game.

<— kid @ heart.

Great music! Will definitely pre-order.

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Jess G. (member)
May 11, 2011 at 9:49 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

This targets my weakness for slightly clubby dance music! Thanks, Crystal!

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RIC
May 12, 2011 at 8:50 am Permalink Log in to reply.

Yay! They are amazing! TORONTO BANDS! Good job, Autostraddle.

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Marcie (member)
May 12, 2011 at 10:09 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

Omfg, officially addicted.

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dizzy (member)
May 13, 2011 at 5:58 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

AMAZING. I feel like I did when I first heard Florence. Thank you so much for posting.

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