Listen: AURORA - "Conqueror"

After the success of her first single "Awakening" brought her enough attention to lure her to CMJ in 2014, Norwegian singer/songwriter Aurora Aksnes has certainly made the most of that momentum. Last year saw not only the release of her first record - the four song Running With The Wolves EP but also several singles ("Runaway", "Half the World Away", "Murder Song (5,4, 3,2,1))" that's attracted more and more attention from the likes of fellow Norwegian Sondre Lerche to even Katy Perry. And yet AURORA hasn't ever seemed in any particular rush to release anything which is exactly why the announcement of her debut album All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend is such a treat. It's the culmination of years of hard work for Aksnes and her band if first single "Conqueror" is any indication, they're in strong form.

"Conqueror" follows in the footsteps of "Under Stars", the rare "happy" song among Aksnes' darker folk pop tales. If AURORA have their eyes set on the pop realm, "Conqueror" hits that anthemic pop sweet spot. A happier effort than say "Runaway" or "Murder Song", Aksnes still manages to draw from the negative to craft her exhilaratingly infectious gem. "I've been looking for the conqueror but you don't seem to come my way" Aksnes offers and each time it reoccurs the seeming disappointment of that phrase becomes more freeing aided no doubt by the escalating energy. It's a subtly layered work with a heart-swelling sound and message that proves AURORA are growing into unstoppable popsmiths.



AURORA's debut full lengh All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend is out March 11th on Glassnote.

Listen: AURORA - "Running With The Wolves"

photo by Kenny Mckracken

After nearly a half year between her debut "Awakening" and second single "Under Stars" Norwegian singer/songwriter Aurora Aksnes aka AURORA is thankfully releasing songs with far more consistency. After beginning the year with "Runaway" AURORA announced her first official release: the Running With the Wolves EP. The title track of her forthcoming Glassnote Records debut continues the artful blend of Aksnes' folk-inspired narrative lyricism and grandiose pop choruses with just the right touch of synth tone exploration.

Similarly to "Awakening" and "Under Stars" "Running With The Wolves" relishes in its momental buildups toward expectation-shattering grandeur. But unlike past singles with utilizes a sort of trapdoor reveal, "Running With the Wolves" reaches its climaxes with a wave-like fluidity. AURORA's casual glide into stratospheric choruses are just as gradual as its descent from them. It's a subtle back and forth that speaks to the musicianship of those Aksnes has chosen to surround herself with; able to push and pull along with her intensity without distracting from Aksnes' twinkling vocals.



AURORA's Running With The Wolves EP is out now on Glassnote Records.

Pitstop: AURORA

My discovery of Norwegian singer/songwriter Aurora Aksnes aka AURORA is essentially the reason CMJ continues to be favorite music festival. I had never heard of her but lured to Brooklyn Bowl with the promise of one of Adult Jazz's few stateside shows, I was charmed and intrigued by the fresh eighteen year old's charmingly awkward stage banter and pure appreciation to be there.

 

AURORA's presence at CMJ is precisely the reason why I fell in love with CMJ in the first place. With only her (massively successful) first single "Awakening" released and nothing really to promote but herself, she was invited as an official artist based on pure potential, the strength of that debut, and word of mouth from those lucky enough to see Aksnes in her native Norway. It was a gamble well paid however as Aksnes and band were a refreshing treat and definite festival standout. 

And while right after that successful run of shows stateside would've been just the right time to release another track, it wasn't until some months later at the very tale end that we were gifted with the delightful "Under Stars" - a track that delicately splices a more overt electronic element into Asknes' precocious folk pop narratives. If the winsome quality alone of her music alone wasn't enough, the patience deployed in the release of her music seems designed to curtail hype and establish AURORA as an artist that's more than just the buzz surrounding her.   

 

With the release of the debut EP Running With The Wolves planned for May 4th on Glassnote Records, it luckily won't be too long before AURORA proves that to a wider collection of ears.