Austra's Sonic Compass: 5 Essential Artists Shaping Her New Era

2 days ago7 min read1 comments

As she unveils her first album in four years, the cathartic 'Chin Up Buttercup,' Austra's Katie Stelmanis offers more than just new music—she provides a curated guide to the sounds fueling her creative resurgence. Emerging from a period of personal loss and global uncertainty, Stelmanis shares five artists who map the emotional and artistic landscape she currently inhabits.Leading her list is Eartheater, the experimental vocalist and producer whose deconstructed electronics and operatic range push the boundaries of the human voice, mirroring Austra's own baroque-pop explorations. She then directs listeners to the serene, harp-laden ambient folk of Nailah Hunter, whose soundscapes echo the moments of delicate introspection on 'Chin Up Buttercup.' The recommendations pivot sharply with Lynks, the UK electro-punk provocateur whose chaotic, gender-bending anthems and acerbic wit showcase a shared appreciation for dance floors as spaces of subversion. From there, Stelmanis highlights the hypnotic, minimalist tension of Austrian duo Ogris Debris, masters of sparse, looping motifs that parallel the brooding intensity on her new record.Finally, she champions Kelela, whose soul-stirring, gospel-inflected R&B seamlessly bridges avant-garde production with raw emotional delivery, much like Austra's own work. Together, these five artists form a constellation around Stelmanis's sonic world, connecting ambient solace, club-ready disruption, and vocal transcendence. This isn't just a playlist; it's a masterclass in listening from one of indie-pop's most distinctive voices, offering fans a deeper key to understanding the frequencies inspiring her powerful return.

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#Austra

#Chin Up Buttercup

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