Aurora Aksnes, known mononymously as Aurora, is a Norwegian singer-songwriter recognized for her dark, emotional pop. She gained fame with her debut album “All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend.”
Almost out of nowhere, everyone in Norway and the UK seems to know the name Aurora, and not just because of the northern lights.
The 27-year-old singer, real name Aurora Aksnes, was born in Stavanger but grew up near Bergen. She was only discovered by the industry when one of her friends uploaded a track onto a streaming service.
When she first burst onto the scene as a teenager, her music was deemed more mature than you'd expect from someone of her age. Alhough, given she lists her influences as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Enya, perhaps it was no surprise.
Debut EP
The vocal-led synth-folk of her debut EP Running with the Wolves was well received in Norway and counts Katy Perry amongst its fans. Referencing the EP, Perry tweeted that she has finally found new music that made her heart flutter.
Opening track Runaway starts off slowly but is driven by her powerful vocals, changing pace and becoming something you'd want to listen to while reading an epic fantasy novel.
Maybe. Or it could just be because the trailer for Game of Thrones season 6 played immediately before I watched the video 😉
Speaking of which, bonus points for the gorgeous Norwegian scenery in the video, too!
Title track Running with the Wolves is the poppiest of the four with a synth-laden chorus that adds to the strong vocals.
“The song is about having the animal instinct inside you come to life. Running with them, joining them – the instinct taking over, giving you freedom and making you forget about your human self and all things we humans keep around us in the modern society.
“I think humans need to let go a bit more, shake their bodies more often, like the animals do.. It's a beautiful thing really.
“Sometimes when you look at the world, and you see what we've done to it, the way many of us hurt the world we live in, innocent animals, even our own kind! And that kind of makes you want to follow the wolves instead. At least for one night.”
A Christmas Cover
But her recent fame across the North Sea is thanks to her cover of Half the World Away, which hit number 11 in the UK charts due to its appearance on the recent John Lewis Christmas TV advert.
Not all the critics were happy, but I was a big Oasis fan back in the day and I think she did a decent job.
Debut Album
Aurora's debut album, “All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend,” released in 2016, showcased her distinct, ethereal vocal style and introspective songwriting.
The album delves into themes of personal growth, mental struggles, and the complexities of human emotions, presenting them through a blend of folk-inspired pop and haunting melodies.
Standout tracks like “Runaway” and “Conqueror” reveal Aurora's ability to combine lyrical depth with catchy, resonant hooks.
The album was well-received for its maturity and artistic depth, marking Aurora as a significant new voice in the international music scene.
More Albums
After her debut, Aurora continued to evolve her sound and themes. In 2018, she released “Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1),” part of a planned two-part album, which explored deeper existential themes and showcased a more experimental sound.
The album was critically acclaimed for its artistic growth and complexity. Aurora's third album, “A Different Kind of Human (Step 2),” released in 2019, continued this trajectory, focusing on ecological and humanitarian issues.
Her music became increasingly anthemic, aiming to inspire change and reflection. Aurora's evolving discography solidifies her as an artist committed to exploring challenging themes through her music.
What the Music Bloggers Say
“Comprised of fidgety electronics and Aurora's soaring vocal that recalls the likes of fellow Nord Emilie Nicolas, “Runaway” is a crystalline electronic beauty that at once soothes and inspires.” – The Line of Best Fit
“The simple reality is that Aurora has a stunning voice, writes well written, accessible pop songs which have a lovely folk influence, and I have no doubts that many more people will be able to enjoy what she does as her name gets known around the world.” – Nordic Music Review
“It’s a very interesting EP and it is more than worth the short time it takes to listen to all four songs. AURORA is definitely an artist that’s going on my radar because there is just so much going for this EP. I honestly enjoyed it, and I’m definitely going to be sticking around for more from the artist.” – Music Unlabelled
“If we had to choose one person to run away with, it would probably be Norway’s cutest export: Aurora Aksnes. Live music all day long, that’s the dream guys. Lucky for her rather than becoming our personal entertainer she’s far too busy being the next big thing.” – Indie Magazine
