Top tracks — play these first
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Lose It — This track features an infectious chorus paired with pulsating beats, effectively capturing the essence of the album's blend of pop and darker themes.
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Beat and the Pulse — The song highlights a compelling juxtaposition between somber lyrics and an upbeat melody, making it emblematic of Austra's distinctive sound.
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Darken Her Horse — Opening the album, this track sets a dramatic tone with its layered instrumentation and haunting vocals, establishing the thematic depth explored throughout.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Austra's debut showcases strong songwriting and production, establishing a unique sound within the new wave genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features driving synths and upbeat tempos, while the second half shifts to more introspective and slower tracks.
- Vocals are layered with harmonies that create an ethereal quality, often blending seamlessly with the synth textures.
- Several tracks incorporate rhythmic pulses that encourage movement, particularly in songs like 'Beat and the Pulse' and 'Lose It'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- atmospheric background focus
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Feel It Break is Austra's debut album, released in 2011 when the band was still emerging from Toronto’s vibrant music scene. The album marked a significant moment in their career, establishing them as a force in the synth-pop genre and introducing their unique blend of operatic vocals and electronic beats.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Grimes· Bat for Lashes· Phantogram
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Hate Crime
A poignant shift occurs when the lyrics confront societal issues directly, breaking from personal narrative to address broader injustices.
This transition in perspective shifts the focus from intimate struggles to collective experiences, emphasizing the urgency of social commentary.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Darken Her Horse 5:21
- 2 Lose It 4:29
- 3 The Future 4:03
- 4 Beat and the Pulse 4:56
- 5 Spellwork 5:10
- 6 The Choke 4:12
- 7 Hate Crime 4:02
- 8 The Villain 4:06
- 9 Shoot the Water 3:23
- 10 The Noise 3:32
- 11 The Beast 4:03
What to play next
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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