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.
Hmm, this is the first time I've seen Aurora referred to as a band. I've always thought of her as an artist with a (unnamed) backing band.
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