stayc main image

Automating a Drum Bus in Reaper to Create Dynamic Room Effects

October 6, 2024

Read more
stayc main image

EQ in Practice: How to Use Subtractive EQ to Clean Up Muddy Mixes

October 6, 2024

ixing music is an art, and one of the most essential tools for achieving clarity in a mix is the equalizer (EQ). One technique, in particular, known as subtractive EQ, can work wonders for cleaning...

Read more
stayc main image

How to Manage Static Noise in High Frequencies When Compressing Vocals

October 6, 2024

One common frustration in vocal production, especially for home studio and bedroom producers, is encountering static noise in the high frequencies after compressing and brightening vocals...

Read more
stayc main image

Sampling Like a Pro: How to Flip Samples and Avoid Legal Issues

October 6, 2024

Sampling has been a cornerstone of modern music production, allowing producers to reimagine and breathe new life into old tracks. Whether you're producing hip-hop, EDM, or any genre, knowing how to...

Read more
stayc main image

What Makes an EQ or Compressor VST High-Quality: Insights and Examples from Pros

October 6, 2024

When selecting EQ and compressor plugins, musicians and producers look for more than just a shiny interface or brand recognition. It's all about how these tools perform in real-world scenarios...

Read more
stayc main image

Sound Design 101: Crafting Killer Drum Sounds Using Synthesizers

October 6, 2024

Drum sounds form the backbone of many music genres, and while sample packs are popular, designing your own drum sounds from scratch can elevate your production to a whole new level. Crafting custom...

Read more
stayc main image

Mastering Multiband Compression Sidechaining: A Solution to Clashing Frequencies

October 6, 2024

In modern music production, one of the most common challenges is the clash of frequencies between instruments. For example, bass guitars and drum kits often compete for space in the lower end of...

Read more
stayc main image

Studio One Workflow Tips for Faster Music Production

October 1, 2024

Studio One by PreSonus is an incredibly powerful DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that offers a variety of tools to streamline your music production workflow. However, like many DAWs, getting the...

Read more
stayc main image

Solving the Issue of Buried Crash Cymbals in the Mix

October 1, 2024

Crash cymbals often get buried in the mix, especially when using complex miking techniques like Glyn Johns, which balances close mics with overheads. While re-recording with higher cymbals may be a...

Read more
stayc main image

GarageBand Hacks: Creating Professional-Sounding Tracks Without Expensive Plugins

October 1, 2024

GarageBand is often seen as an entry-level DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it has powerful tools that, when used effectively, can create professional-quality tracks. Many indie musicians and...

Read more
stayc main image

Solving the General MIDI Program Change Dilemma in Ableton

October 1, 2024

When working with MIDI in Ableton, one might notice that although MIDI clips can send program changes, most of Ableton's native plugins don’t seem to respond to these changes effectively. This can...

Read more
stayc main image

Escaping 'Tutorial Hell': Stay Motivated and Actually Progress in Music Production

September 21, 2024

Read more

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

stayc main image

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.

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.”

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."

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.

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.

“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.”

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.