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Future Politics
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Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release for the Canadian electronic band led by Katie Stelmanis was inspired from her time living in Montreal and Mexico City.
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Top Track

Utopia
I live in a city full of people I don't know People riding highways from the workplace to the home I raise my head I see they're different than... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. The 405
    Jan 26, 2017
    85
    Leaving aside their Chicago/Detroit-house inspired beats and diving into gloomier topics and luscious sounds, the power of Stelmanis’ lyrics is what makes this new release stronger than its predecessor.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jan 18, 2017
    80
    Like cold, clean water, Austra’s Future Politics washes clear the mental muck, leaving you feeling alive again.
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Jan 23, 2017
    80
    Her lyrics can be oblique and occasionally ungainly. But her voice--soaring, delicate--brings vulnerability and heat to this vision of a post-human world.
  4. PopMatters
    Jan 12, 2017
    70
    On a purely musical level, the album is not necessarily the band’s best or most consistent work, with Feel It Break looking like it may always be the fan favorite. Thematically, though, Austra is fulfilling their vision of themselves more than ever and solidifying their identity as a band, making Future Politics an edifying and intriguing listen all the same.
  5. Magnet
    Feb 14, 2017
    70
    This latest offering carries an overwhelming feeling of desperation. [No. 139, p.53]
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  6. Uncut
    Jan 4, 2017
    60
    Powerful and intriguing stuff, but the emotional spark never quite catches. [Feb 2017, p.21]
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  7. No Ripcord
    Feb 10, 2017
    60
    What the lyrics lack (and they certainly aren’t bad by any stretch--simply not particularly strong), the vocals mask.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. RTAir
    May 3, 2020
    8
    Future Politics is Austra as great as ever - it's a bold and progressive work with more “spacious” arrangements this time around. The qualityFuture Politics is Austra as great as ever - it's a bold and progressive work with more “spacious” arrangements this time around. The quality is consistent from start to finish, no fillers to be found here. Definitely a grower, but all the more rewarding with repeated listens.… Expand
  2. alexpogor
    Jan 27, 2017
    7
    Future Politics tries to mix everything in it , but it is not enough to be an amazing record . But it is still descent with songs likeFuture Politics tries to mix everything in it , but it is not enough to be an amazing record . But it is still descent with songs like Monster. They have a big potential , but they should concentrate on 1 genre , from my point of view.… Expand
  4. gustavolsb
    Feb 3, 2017
    7
    Songs such as Utopia, I Love You More Than You Love Yourself and Gaia are highlights. However, the rest of the album feels distorted and theSongs such as Utopia, I Love You More Than You Love Yourself and Gaia are highlights. However, the rest of the album feels distorted and the instrumentals are quite repetitive in every song, but it does not mean it's not a good work.… Expand
  5. dramatickid
    Jan 27, 2017
    7
    Future Politics is more minimal and somehow "colder" in the use of instrumentation compared to Austra's previous albums but Katie Stelmanis'Future Politics is more minimal and somehow "colder" in the use of instrumentation compared to Austra's previous albums but Katie Stelmanis' voice sounds better than ever and "Utopia" is a standout track, both catchy and experimental at the same time. I think the album needs more than one listening to be fully appreciated.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Shared Album of 2017

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