Their debut album, "Feel It Break" (May 2011, Domino), came after a long sequence of bands for Stelmanis, representing a near ten year musical progression performing as an artist, then fleshed-out by a full band. The album made into several year-end critics' lists; notably, both the Toronto Star and New York named it the best album of 2011, with the former calling it "an outright stunner". Stereogum named Austra a Band to Watch on March 14, 2011.
Their sophomore album "Olympia" was released on June 18, 2013, from which the first single Home was released on March 7, 2013.
In 2014, the band released their first EP, "Habitat EP".
More settled and dominant than ever, the band's sound represents Stelmanis' influences tightened into a shiny metal ball — pianos give way to keyboards as songs build and pull, their urgent, dark melodies arpeggiating through multiple synthesizers, wrapping themselves around Stelmanis' voice.
Sites: Official Site
Messiah
Austra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So take me down back to the ground
I'm not your answer
I can't be your escape
You've raised me up, I'm in the sky
Don't be surprised when I can't deliver
The pulse you need, this old machine
A heaving breath, mountain of steam
There may be gaps, my words may be broken
In spite of this (spite), give me your hand (give me your hand)
I will not lift you (I will not lift you)
But I can guide you (but I can guide)
I'll be your shadow (I'll be your shadow)
You'll be the light (be the light)
A balance will settle between us
You'll be the body (you'll be the body)
I'll be the spine (I'll be the spine)
Ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
In Austra's song Messiah, the singer acknowledges their limitations and shortcomings by stating that they are not a messiah, despite being lifted up into the sky. The singer instructs the listener to bring them back down to the ground because they cannot provide the answer or escape that the listener seeks. The repetitions of "Don't be surprised when I can't deliver" emphasize the singer's awareness of their inability to meet the listener's expectations. The imagery of "this old machine" and "mountain of steam" could symbolize the singer's physical and emotional exhaustion.
However, the singer does not entirely reject the listener's needs. Instead, they offer to guide the listener, to be their shadow while the listener becomes the light. The singer cannot lift the listener, but they can support and direct them. The final lines suggest a balance where the listener becomes the body, and the singer becomes the spine, an essential but often unseen support system. In this way, the song becomes a message of acceptance, both of one's limitations and the role that one can play in other people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
As I stand, I'm not a messiah
I am not perfect, I cannot solve all your problems
So take me down back to the ground
Bring me back down to reality, I am not above anyone else
I'm not your answer
I cannot provide all the solutions or fulfill your every need
I can't be your escape
I cannot be the sole source of refuge or comfort in your life
You've raised me up, I'm in the sky
You may see me as something more than human, but I am not
Don't be surprised when I can't deliver
Do not expect me to be able to fulfill every expectation or desire
The pulse you need, this old machine
I am flawed, I cannot always provide the energy or motivation you require
A heaving breath, mountain of steam
I may struggle under the pressure, but I will do my best
There may be gaps, my words may be broken
I may not always be able to articulate myself perfectly or completely
In spite of this (spite), give me your hand (give me your hand)
Despite my limitations, please still interact with me and offer support
I will not lift you (I will not lift you)
I cannot carry you or give you all the answers
But I can guide you (but I can guide)
I can provide some direction or help you see things from a different perspective
I'll be your shadow (I'll be your shadow)
I will follow you wherever you go and always be with you
You'll be the light (be the light)
You will lead the way and show me the path forward
A balance will settle between us
We will find a equilibrium in our relationship
You'll be the body (you'll be the body)
You will be the driving force and take action
I'll be the spine (I'll be the spine)
I will provide support and structure to help keep you upright
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Kaitlin Austra Stelmanis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chriss Davitt
Austra: You are big, you are great. My ears enjoy your beautiful music. Austra, never stop creating these musical beauties. Greetings from MEXICO.
carlos regis
This song is my safe space now, I’m literally in the middle of an anxiety episode…
So tank you truly for make this moment less miserable. Thank you for inspire me, even if you don’t read this…
We keep trying
R. Alexander
Katie I cried with this one. Thank you... (my fav of the album) 💙
Jocymar Sales
So beautiful!!! ❤️❤️
audiho
Thank you for making something lovely.
Kevin Ba
Austra wants to make a Trip-Hop Album. 🤩
Steve Schmidt
Beautiful.
Alan Garcia
Beautiful 😁
David Rosas
Easily my favorite
v
i'm feeling so alive but drugged in another world