Austra shares 'Future Politics' video, tells us about her Top 10 LPs of 2016

December 5, 2016

Austra is gearing up to release new album, Future Politics, in January and she’s just shared the video for the title track. “How do we find hope when things seem so bleak?” Austra (aka Katie Stelmanis) asks. “For me hope lies in the future. It lies in the potential of a future world that doesn’t exist yet; a world can be created only if we can imagine it. It’s time to build visions that are radically different from anything we’ve known before. It’s time for Future Politics.” Directed by Allie Avital, the video has a hopeful, post-apocalyptic air to it. Watch below.

Katie Stelmanis was also nice enough to send us her list for the Top 10 LPs of 2016. On it she’s got a few fellow Canadians (Tanya Tagaq, former tourmates DIANA and Basia Bulat, Casey Mecija), as well as some of the year’s more acclaimed releases (Anohni, Blood Orange). Check out her list with commentary, below.

You can also catch Austra on tour in 2017 with Lafawndah, including Brooklyn’s Warsaw on January 27 (tickets). She’s just announced a European leg of her tour — updated dates are listed below.

AUSTRA’S TOP 10 LPS OF 2016

1. Tanya Tagaq – Retribution
More punk than any other punk record this year. It’s the best jazz, the best folk, the best rap, the best everything album. Her words are crucial and her music is incomparable.

2. A Tribe Called Red – We are the Halluci Nation
Putting the spotlight on the indigenous struggle, and more importantly indigenous pride. As we all struggle through this capitalist nightmare we need this music to remind us of the alternatives.

3. Anohni – Hopelessness
The moment where Anohni switches into falsetto on “degrees” and the violin sneaks in is pure sonic and emotional joy, one cannot be unmoved by the devastation of climate change with such a note!

4. Blood Orange – Freetown Sound
Political songwriting that moves people is what we need right now. Empress of’s voice sounds positively angelic and envirgorating.

5. Casey Mecija – Psychic Materials
An un-retired musician makes a triumphant return with song writing and synths to put a put a soul to sleep with happy dreams in paradise.

6. Weyes Blood – Front Row Seat to Earth
It’s been so long since we’ve been graced with a voice like this, and with songs like this.

7. Mica Levi & Oliver Coates – Remain Calm
It’s less than 30 seconds but schoolhouse is a musical masterpiece. What a lovely priviledge to be able to travel with these two into this mystery-land.

8. Basia Bulat – Good Advice
Basia is my musical mentor and has been since we toured together across Canada in a van and I got to hear her belt it out every night.

9. Jenny Hval – Blood Bitch
Such wonderful background music. Music that truly colours a room. A very difficult and adventurous feat in my opinion.

10. DIANA – Familiar Touch
Toronto supergroup makes a smooth and magical masterpiece. Jazz kids find bliss in pop.