New Waves.. Austra - 'Trip'

OK, so not new at all, but I've only just ran across this band, randomly, via YouTube (off a MS MR video), and I was bewitched.

It was that warm, fuzzy, excited feeling that you get when you discover some amazingly fresh and intriguing new music, something that appears to be getting more and more rare these days. Austra are not a band that sounds like everyone else, indeed they are one of the most unique bands that I've came across in a while and I'm more than glad that I've stumbled across them. At the time of a-tap-tap-tapping away at this post, I have only listened to one song by them - namely 'Trip' - and that song itself, only once. That's how hard it hit me.

My quality of writing also seems to be going out the door in my haste to get it out, but all I have to say is that Austra are witchy and haunting, in a manner that recalls one of my favourite bands of last year, 2:54, though far more eerie  atmospheric and haunting, brushed with a gothic and near industrial edge which makes me recall some of IAMX's darker songs. The voice of singer *uber speedy Google search* Katie Stelmanis is reminiscent of Florence Welch, minus the quiver, full of strength and tone that only compliments the creepy aura.

Their latest album, Feel It Break is available now.

http://www.austramusic.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Austra/124441027607242
http://austramusic.tumblr.com/

New Waves.. IAMX - 'The Unified Field'

In the UK especially, IAMX - aka. former Sneaker Pimps maestro, Chris Corner - isn't as loved as he should be. In fact, he appears to be practically ignored by the UK music press. Although, if you cross the waters to Europe, the ex-pat/ current Berlin inhabitant is far more adored.

His brand of emotive electronica can  range from darkly disturbing to whimsically romantic within the space of an album. Both musically and visually, IAMX take influence of cirque and cabaret, although neither are present in the above song. 'The Unified Field' is the first song to début from the fifth IAMX album of the same name. In regards to this song, I don't feel that it's one of Corner's strongest at all; it doesn't feel that unique, or special, and it doesn't encapsulate what IAMX is about. It just feels mediocre, although perhaps within the context of the album, my opinion may differ.

I'm going to leave some of my favourite IAMX songs below so you can see what I mean .


http://www.iamx.eu/
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/iamx
http://www.facebook.com/IAMXOFFICIAL

'Spit It Out'

'Nature of Inviting

'Ghosts Of Utopia'

'Tear Garden'