Utopia was released on October 20, 2016 as the first single from Austra's third studio album. Austra is a Canadian art pop band and was founded by Canadian singer-songwriter Katie Stelmanis.
Official music video
Date of release: 2016, October 20
Type of music release: Single
From album: Future Politics
Songwriter: Austra
Producer: Katie Stelmanis
Label: Domino
What music magazines wrote about 'Utopia'
Pitchfork
Pitchfork wrote about the music video for the track:
"Directed by THAT GO, the video stars Stelmanis being held hostage by a device resembling the Amazon Echo."[1]
NPR
"She's also not being shy. "Utopia," the album's lead single, telegraphs her intent with unabashed optimism. Amid sculpted beats and soaring melodies, Stelmanis sings of urban life and alienation in an era of social division and injustice."[2]
Paste Magazine
"In the video for their new song “Utopia,” Austra give horror an uncommonly danceable soundtrack. Singer Katie Stelmanis eats bugs while she’s imprisoned in a blindingly white room, (...)"[3]
The Skinny
When asked in an interview with The Skinny what her true vision of a utopian world would look like, she replied:
"I don’t really have a specific vision of Utopia because I think it’s something that will constantly evolve and will be different for everybody."[4]
References
[1] Pearce, S. (2016, October 19). Austra announce new Album, Share New Song “Utopia”: Watch. Pitchfork. https://pitchfork.com/news/69113-austra-announce-new-album-share-new-song-utopia-watch/
[2] Heller, J. (2017, January 12). Review: Austra, “Future Politics.” NPR. https://www.npr.org/2017/01/12/509314826/first-listen-austra-future-politics
[3] Hunter-Hart, M. (2016, October 19). Austra release video for new song “Utopia,” Announce forthcoming Album. Paste Magazine. https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/austra/austras-releases-video-for-new-song-utopia-announc
[4] Brash, T. (2017, March 8). Austra's Katie Stelmanis on Future Politics - The Skinny. https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/interviews/austra-interview-future-politics