Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? is the debut full-length album by the Canadian band Metric, released in 2003. The record introduced the group's blend of jagged guitar lines, prominent synthesizers and the distinctive vocals of Emily Haines. It marked the band’s first widely distributed long-player and helped broaden their audience across North America and Europe. For further reference to the release itself, see the album entry: Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?.

Background and recording

The project followed earlier EPs and singles and captured Metric at a stage of rapid development. Recording approaches combined live band takes with layered electronic parts; the result is a production that balances raw energy and studio polish. The band’s collaborative songwriting and Haines’s lyrical perspective are prominent features throughout the record.

Musical characteristics and themes

The album mixes post‑punk urgency with new‑wave and synth‑driven textures. Tight, rhythmic guitar work sits alongside melodic synthesizer lines and driving drum patterns. Lyrically, many songs address urban disconnection, interpersonal tension and anxieties of contemporary life, delivered with Haines’s angular but emotive vocal style. The contrast between propulsive arrangements and reflective lyrics became a recurring trait in Metric’s early output.

Release, singles and promotion

Released as the band’s first full-length offering to reach a wider audience, the album was supported by touring and several singles that received radio play and video exposure. The track "Combat Baby" was also issued as a single in the United Kingdom during the album’s international rollout: Combat Baby single. Other tracks from the album were promoted through live sets and compilation appearances as the band established its profile.

Music videos

Metric produced six official videos tied to the album between 2003 and 2004. The visual work helped the songs find additional audiences on music television and early online platforms. A playlist or curated collection of those videos is available through the band's media pages and archives: videos collection.

  • "Calculation Theme" — directed by Ramon Bloomberg
  • "IOU" — directed by Steven Hanft & Michael Lustig
  • "Succexy" — directed by Ashley Cahill
  • "Combat Baby" — directed by Michael Schiller
  • "Dead Disco" — directed by Chris Grismer
  • "The List" — directed by Chris Grismer & Emily Haines

Reception and legacy

Contemporary reviews generally noted the album’s confident songwriting and the chemistry among the band members. Though not a mainstream blockbuster, it established Metric’s sound and set the stage for later releases that further developed their mix of rock and electronic elements. The record is often cited as a key early milestone in the band’s catalog and a point of reference when discussing their emergence on the international indie scene.

Notable tracks and further reading

Besides the singles and videos already mentioned, notable album tracks commonly discussed by listeners include the album opener and several mid‑album highlights. For more about the band’s broader history, discography and subsequent work, consult the group’s main profile: Metric band page.