AURORA Ponders Life, Death, and the Heart in New Album

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Norwegian alt-pop sensation AURORA is set to release her highly anticipated fifth album, "What Happened To The Heart?" Following a series of successful projects—2016's "All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend," 2018's "Infections Of A Different Kind (Step 1)," 2019's "A Different Kind Of Human (Step 2)," and 2022's "The Gods We Can Touch"—AURORA continues to captivate audiences with her introspective and ethereal music.

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Reflecting on her new album, AURORA quips from her hotel room in Paris, “I feel like I'm about to give birth. I cannot wait not to be pregnant anymore; I can have a glass of wine again [laughs]. No, it feels super intense, and it feels wonderful. I'm really excited for the world to hear it, especially my fans. I'm just so excited for them to hear it.”

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And her fans indeed have much to be excited about. After a two-year hiatus, AURORA returned in November with "Your Blood," a disco-infused track that showcased her vocal range. She followed this with "The Conflict Of The Mind," a laid-back tune encouraging slow dancing. In March, she released "Some Type Of Skin," a powerful modern pop song with a soaring chorus, potentially influencing artists like Billie Eilish. Last month, she surprised fans with the dancefloor anthem "To Be Alright."

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However, the poignant centerpiece of the upcoming album may be "A Soul With No King," remixed by the legendary Brian Eno. This track, anchored by the mandolin, sees AURORA returning to her folky roots to explore humanity's disconnection from nature. “People wake up because they have to, not because they want to, and they go to work and sit inside these rooms… that is like a prison! And we can't leave," she remarks, highlighting the societal structures that confine us.

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The title "What Happened To The Heart?" emerged from a transformative letter by Indigenous activists titled "We Are The Earth," which profoundly impacted AURORA. She describes the album as her “most personal and cathartic” work, processing grief, anger, and ultimately, focused determination.

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“It started out as pain and grief, and then it became anger – not a blind anger – and eventually, after the grief was processed, it became the focus, I would say,” AURORA shares. “First, you grieve whatever you find so hopelessly wrong and unworthy in this world that we live in. So many people deserve so much more than what this world is giving them, and it's just completely heartbreaking to think that we deserve so much more as people, such a better world.”

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AURORA’s album navigates the complexities of modern life, from self-destruction to self-healing. The process begins with the album's first track, "Echo Of My Shadow," which she describes as the moment a part of her died and she resolved to become a "better, peaceful weapon for the world."

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Her exploration of the human condition continues with "The Essence," "My Name," and "Earthly Delights," incorporating traditional instruments like the Chinese pipa alongside contemporary electronic influences from artists like The Chemical Brothers and Underworld. The album spans a variety of styles, from folky acoustic beauty to high-energy dance tracks, reflecting AURORA's diverse musical inspirations.

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AURORA's previous collaborations, such as her 2018 performance with Norwegian band Wardruna on the song "Helvegen" and her recent work with Bring Me The Horizon, demonstrate her ability to blend traditional and modern elements seamlessly. This fusion is evident throughout "What Happened To The Heart?", creating a rich tapestry of sound and meaning.

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In her music and her message, AURORA invites us to reconnect with our humanity, urging us to look beyond the superficial and engage with the deeper, often uncomfortable questions of life. "What Happened To The Heart?" is more than an album; it's a call to action, a plea for empathy, and a reminder of the beauty and pain inherent in the human experience.

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As we await the release of "What Happened To The Heart?", AURORA leaves us with this thought: “We are good people, and we deserve peace. My God, it’s a lot.” Her music is a testament to this belief, offering solace and inspiration in a world that often feels disconnected and chaotic.

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