Bacchanalia Magazine

By Cara Maclean: Photographer / Journalist

The fifth studio album of Norwegian singer-songwriter ‘AURORA’ was finally unleashed to the world on June 7th 2024. A genre shift from AURORA after her previous work in which she explored indie/ alternative in ‘The Gods We Can Touch’ to delving into indie pop/ disco sparked a cathartic execution of expression within AURORA’s songs.

The lyrically acclaimed album ‘What Happened To The Heart?’ has gathered listeners far and wide as AURORA acknowledges her presence on earth, woven in the transcending and moving lyrics of track two promotional single ‘To Be Alright’. The reflection on the singers own life evokes question and empathy within listeners as she expresses her overwhelming desire to feel love and happiness others so easily find.

Soon the album transitions to track five, ‘Some Type Of Skin’. The vulnerability and turmoil in which AURORA has been presented with throughout her life is considered through the opening line of ‘hit me hard where I am soft’. She makes reference to a world deserving of peace which also hints to the victims of war within ongoing conflicts throughout the world which the singer has so publicly spoken about.

The album concludes on track sixteen, ‘Invisible Wound’. The masterfully constructed metaphors reflect on the true meaning behind AURORA’s album as a whole. To simply be human and be loved and happy. Not to be seen as above, nor below, but as equal. To have flaws and make mistakes.

All in all, AURORA engagingly connects listeners while relating to the very prominent issues we face in our tumultuous world. ‘What Happened To The Heart?’ is now available on all streaming platforms.