On "Olympia" the band their sound more or less remains true - it mainly makes Katie Stelmanis' distinctive voice, but also the continued use of synths and piano - but it stands out from the debut.
The first single, "Home" or the driving "Forgive Me" underline the difference between the two works pretty well. While melodies and tempos are on par with the hit potential of a "Lose It", Arrangement and instrumentalization are different but without drifting into a completely different style. Where previously shining and flashing 80s synths (zweitweise too) dominated, now stronger drums, orchestral horns, violins or flutes form a whole warmer and more organic sound - synths are of course still an important part of Austras music. You can feel that the tools this time were recorded live and not purely produced on the computer.
Also different: the long-term band members Sari and Romy Lightman (Tasseomancy) make their debut as (Background-) singers. This adds a nice level and creates a good balance to Stelmanis' dominant voice - the show stealing her but by no means.
To choose favorites I notice right away hard, there's virtually no dropouts while, but a few out tips should not be missed: The great synth Fanfare "Reconcile" may well be one of the greatest pearls of the album and is comparison Woodkid certainly not can fend off. Equally captivating is the sombre finale "Hurt Me Now".
Bass and Drums of the second single "Painful Like" (the song is queer "small towns" Kids dedicated) form one of the strongest rhythms of the album. "We Become" grooves with bongos and glasses and similar strong summer - "It could be islands, it could be better" sing the Lightman sisters here at the end of the chorus - which remains in the ear.
Quieter time, take in the beautiful "Sleep" with soothing, Triangle ornate verses before the chorus erupts hymnal. "You Changed My Life" is somewhat reminiscent Stelmanis' Solo hours: Accompanied only by piano, she sings poignant lines and ends after one minute abprubt, a stubborn instrumental part ends the song - another fresh arrangement that is not found on its predecessor.
It is a natural and great advancement that "Olympic" is not a copy of the first album, but rather a refinement of her style. The warmer and sometimes tanzbarere sound garment is authentic and represents them very well. So the former genre label 80-Goth-pop might not fit so well, even though the classic-inspired vocals of course, still a good deal of drama and darkness brings to the music. But who may already drawers - Austra certainly not.
