The "Omnimism" of Aurora: "The Gods We Can Touch" review

[@forrrob]

"This Could Be A Dream" is mainly a song for people with open wounds in their souls. You are a strong guy, so it's not for you .... it's not "bad", it's just not for you. For others it's maybe the most heartfelt song. I like it and it touches me.

[@Einyen]

I also think it is very beautiful. I can understand that songs like this can switch from beautiful to cheesy at some point, which is individual when that happens. But I do not think it has crossed that "line", also because I know Aurora means every word of it (and the vocals are just heavenly). Here is what she said: “I wrote this very late, so it was completely dark the whole time. I was thinking about people's dark hours, and I wanted to make a song for those who never learn to dance and run because they're just managing to stand up. It takes so many muscles for a human body to even stand up, so I can understand why people can’t find the strength for it. It’s very hard to be a human, and I'm just saddened by the idea that some people never get to explore their own full potential because they constantly have to simply fight for the right to exist. That just breaks my heart. So I wanted to make a song for them.”

[@forrrob]

@@Einyen Hi! Do you have the source of this quote? It's so beautiful ...

[@Einyen]

@@forrrob Hi. The direct quote I took from the Aurora wiki, and it is from an article or "information" she provided to Apple Music, but she also talks about the song here: youtu . be / qmFgEeMzhvk&t=926s

[@forrrob]

@@Einyen Thank you very much!

[@Eduardoo2001]

Giving In To The Love NEVER fails to make feel alive

[@markprazoff1076]

Magnus Skylstad is AURORA's percussionist and is the only musician who has been in all of her bands since the beginning. He definitely creates amazing percussive sounds and rhythms.

[@lillm6874]

And he is her co-producer and very good friend 🥰

[@elilluesmaangel9142]

I love the way you bring light to the philosophy behind this album. I liked Aurora before but this album made me love her. Also, I'm borrowing your term, omnimism, its a wonderful way to look at everything. Great, illuminating review.

[@ivrigbruker4925]

My magical moment is this line in exhale inhale: If you could fly and be the bird Then you would see the forest burn I start crying for the world. In interviews she has said that we must react more emotional to climate and nature issues. And I am practicing.

[@hakanandersson1276]

Total agree on that. When i hear this for the first time. It was like a train drove into me.

[@christinevr7698]

Yes- that line is so intense! We should be emotional about the state we are in!

[@lillm6874]

I think you’ve misunderstood Aurora, cause she almost never write about her own experiences. And the whole album is based on the greek mythology, except for one song which is Janus from the roman mythology. When Aurora released “Exist for love”, she said it was her first love song. This is what she said about “A Dangerous Thing”: "There's a lot of beauty in this world. And there's a lot of ugly. I was surprised to learn how often the ugly is disguised as beauty. How often poison is disguised as wine. And life disguised as death.And when we learn that what we thought was good for us, is in fact bad for us - even then we tend to go return to it. Because at least it's familiar. And all we ever dream about is home. Seductive, yet destructive. A dangerous thing indeed." This is what she said about “This could be a dream”: Aurora explained the track to Apple Music: “I wrote this very late, so it was completely dark the whole time. I was thinking about people's dark hours, and I wanted to make a song for those who never learn to dance and run because they're just managing to stand up. It takes so many muscles for a human body to even stand up, so I can understand why people can’t find the strength for it. It’s very hard to be a human, and I'm just saddened by the idea that some people never get to explore their own full potential because they constantly have to simply fight for the right to exist. That just breaks my heart. So I wanted to make a song for them.” This is what she says about most of the songs from the album: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5uTlnRje9Vgppo

[@Einyen]

Yeah exactly. They are rarely about herself: On her very first album in 2016, she said only "Lucky" and "Runaway" was about her own experiences, and in 2018 the song "Soft Universe" I think she admitted was about her loosing her virginity (but I'm not sure on that, I do not have an exact quote). Mostly she writes about general issues and ideas she hears and reads about or about the fans she meets. "Exist For Love" she wrote in 2017 when she was experiencing this kind of pure love, she admitted, but still the song is not mainly about that relationship in specific, but about the feeling of love in general: "'Exist For Love' is the 1st love song I ever wrote. But as most of my songs, it has a much larger and deeper meaning than just love between 2 individuals. I believe that love is one of the strongest forces we have on this planet and in us people, and I believe that once we learn true, pure and unselfish love, we are reminded of why we exist, and I think we understand why we are here once we learn that, that kind of pure love exist, which is quite beautiful. And I love many things....and many people."

[@steinmortensandbech8756]

A very good reaction / review. I enjoyed it so much... The album takes me on a roller coaster of emotions and musical bliss. It's a magnificent work of electropop spreading the word of love and compassion to a wide audience. Aurora, in my opinion, is the true embodiment of music. And, btw , I really like your antonym to nihilism, "omnimism". I will use that myself, if thats ok :-)

[@hollyfae_art]

I think it is important that you are aware that this album HAS a theme, it is quite literally in the title. In the past, gods and goddesses were something close to us, something very human like with human qualities. They were part of the earth, in every river, plant, and stone, in every emotion we felt as humans, something we could touch. Now god is far away and placed up in the sky as a perfect idol, separate from us, and we are considered impure, or unworthy. The point of this album is to say that we humans are divine with all of our emotions and desires, and we should not feel ashamed to be “human”. Each song specifically relates to a Greek god or goddess. They are not actually about Aurora’s personal relationships. They are about a concept. For example, A temporary high is not about her ex with a new person. It relates the god Chaos, and it is about the fact that humankind has become so wrapped up in the speed of the world (the her in the song), it’s like we are always chasing after time and cannot take a moment to catch our breath and see the big picture. If you watch the music video you can see how she brings this theme to life with an hourglass symbolism, tipping it on its side so that it become infinity, or timeless. I would encourage you to listen to the album at least knowing the god/goddess which relates to each song. I think it will deepen your perspective

[@SilverWitch31]

I completely agree with this!

[@christinevr7698]

Yes- this is the element missing in his review!

[@verajasmijnart]

0:55 I’m still here :)! I didn’t watch a lot of your videos lately but I saw this one in my recommended videos so I had to watch it

[@verajasmijnart]

Also thank you for making my day, I didn’t expect to see my comment printed 3 years later

[@professorskye]

That’s fun! Glad you are still subscribed. 😀

[@Einyen]

@@professorskye Aurora's songs are never only about relationships, they are always deeper, here is a quote from her about the songs on this new album: youtu . be / uNkKdYuqd74&t=617s "But it's a lot about the dynamic between yes 2 people, between a student and a teacher, between an abuser and a victim, between us and religion, between rules and freedom and between our soul and our physical body, shame and desire. You know ALL of these relationships and dynamics between...it's very complex. But it's about all of these things including what you just said. But with me it's almost always much larger than just a relationship between 2 people, because that's SO boring."

[@gigatoob]

Aah. I was happy to see you give AURORA more attention but ended up discouraged. I think you missed much of the essence of these songs, they are not about hunting animals or about men she knows per se, or personal relationships. Each song was inspired by a Greek god or goddess, not personal love stories. She is obscure; but has talked about each song's motivations. She finds religion that puts a Perfect God out of reach as unfortunate. She likes the gods that are imperfect, of all or both sexes, with human traits... that we can touch. I think this is critical to understanding the lyric content which you admit baffled you in some cases. Her songs are not purposely about her personal life. She's not talking about literal hunting of animals you mention. She's hunting for love and meaning. I don't see the 'men' you allude to as personal, she's talking about the human experience imo. ---A Dangerous Thing - Lions? You lost me there. Never saw lions on the album but maybe I missed it. ---Heathens - 'Her' is honoring Eve (and other women) who granted humans free will. --- Artemis - 'I wanted the song to feel slightly dangerous and slightly seductive but overwhelming as well. I think if Artemis was a real woman here on earth, she would be all-consuming and all-knowing and overwhelming, everything and nothing at the same time. I think she is the kind of woman that if she decided that she was thirsty, she could drink all of the water on the whole planet and still not be full, you know?' Also. the instrument played on Artemis is credited as a bandoneon, not an accordion. --- Giving in to the Love - 'I actually wrote that song at the last minute. I had already finished the album and mastered it, but then I wanted to have “Giving In to the Love” on it. So it’s actually the demo; I never got the chance to completely mix it. It’s very unpolished.' --- Exist for Love lyric 'war between man and woman' is an homage to Leonard Cohen, an early influence. She says the 1930s and 40s inspired the sound. She was not in love, just wanted to make her first love song after realizing how the pandemic was effecting people. ---Place called the Moon - reminds me of Hawaii. She would never want to be thought of as hunting animals for sport. She says - 'I just like the idea of all of us going to the moon. We’ll get to look down at ourselves from up there and see how small and beautiful and large we are at the same time.' B. Eilish has said seeing AURORA's song video 'Runaway' (written at 11) motivated her. Slightly discouraged yes, but, of course, I'll keep tuning in!

[@williamzinedineh]

yes exactly! Aurora in most cases (except for Exist for love) writes about OTHERS experiences. real or she made them up, like in Murder song. Aurora tells incredible stories with her lyrics, real or not. She's probably the only artist i could call myself a real fan of because she puts feelings into words with such grace i've never experienced before

[@lillm6874]

Agreed👍🥰

[@hollyfae_art]

The beast in “blood in the wine” is not someone trying To hurt her, this song is about not feeling shame for pleasures in life (the god reference being bacchus basically god of wine and wild parties). The beast is ourselves, but as quantified by religion, but why should it be considered a sin to feel wildness and pleasure and indulgence. That is the underlying theme of the album, to not feel ashamed by being human. It is not beastly or heathen, it is just human, and it is freedom to feel and express and experience. I think the lyrics will make much more sense if you go over them again with this in mind. This entire album is basically asking, why does religion tell us that our human nature is sinful and shameful? Being human is divine and beautiful.

[@fercocq]

I'm a fan of Aurora myself and I've read/watched some interviews where Aurora explains some meanings behind each song. I feel you're way off from her intention in several songs, but I also think it's still very interesting to see a blind interpretation. Aurora, for the most part of the previous albums, has tried to avoid giving away the meaning of her songs, so they can mean something different for each of us. Having said that, if you like Aurora and you have the time to research the symbolism and inspiration of the songs, then it's a whole different experience. You might agree or not with what she's saying, but I think that just the oportunity to discuss the themes with yourself is worth the time invested. Here is a short video where Aurora explains very briefly what greek god inspired each of the songs of this album kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5uTlnRje9Vgppo For example, "A temporary high" is related to Janus, and in her words _"[Janus] is a god with two faces, one face belonging to the past and one face belonging to the future. And Temporary High is about the present, and how we manage to live in the now with what we learn from the past, and hopefully also make the future better"_ Now, that's very different from your interpretation of _"this new lover that her ex lover found"_, which, as I said, I think it's valid this being a blind interpretation of the lyrics, but still, maybe you should warn about it? Otherwise, when you say it, it sounds like *that* is the theme of the song, instead of being your blind interpretation of the song.

[@alejandrogonzalezmoreno7950]

You right!!! A Little Place Called Moon is full of Fleet Foxes vibes. Love it

[@jaspereq]

20:15 my interpretation of this line is that the 'her' that is being spoken about is the mother/goddess/eve figure that the song seems to centre around. so she - aurora - is not necessarily asking you to give romantic love to 'her' (the mother/goddess/eve figure) but more... spiritual love? worship even? this is just my own loose interpretation of the lyric - i'm unsure whether aurora herself has said anything about her own intent surrounding the line is though. edit: btw my amazing moments are- no. 1 the bridge into the chorus of 'temporary high'. i absolutely love the built up that is both strong yet somehow dreamy, and it really gets my adrenaline going. like the bit where it goes her hands as blue as ice you reach towards the sky reaching back at you (you, you, you) no. 2 the intro to 'blood in the wine'. SUPER suspenseful and just sets up a really amazing song (one of my favourites on the album) no. 3 not so much a moment but the way that in 'everything matters' both the vocals and guitar are used in a way to make the melody seem almost... circular? i don't have a whole lot of musically terminology so don't know quite how to explain it but i get a similar feeling from the second chorus in her song 'runaway' anyway thank you for making a really fun video! i really enjoy aurora's music and whilst i didn't agree with all your ideas i love hearing other perspectives/interpretations of her songs.

[@Einyen]

Regarding the meaning of the album to Aurora: Back in 2018 on the first EP/Album you reacted to, there was a song called "Infections Of A Different Kind", she uses the lines like: "And If there is a God, would we even know his name?" "...I think he would shake his head and turn away" "Be God in the shape of a girl". In an interview she explained she wished that God was someone or something here on Earth, that we could touch and interact with, which then years later turned into this album. Aurora studied Greek mythology and she likes that they had Gods for everyone and everything and the Gods existed among humans and they had flaws like humans. She made each song relate to one of the Greek gods / ideas. She explained another meaning in interviews, that she thinks there is too much shame in society. We are ashamed of our love, sexuality, religion and all our human needs and desires, and we should not be ashamed, human nature is beautiful. She said: ""Blood In The Wine" is a song about enjoying the beautiful things in life, and having no shame for your human needs and dreams and fascinations." The Innocent: "It's the wildest song on the album, I think. I imagine all these people dancing naked around a fireplace. That's very innocent. Our bodies are very pure, beautiful things and it's a shame that we have managed to make it something not pure. It's the sexualization of innocent things, that makes the world dangerous."

[@Einyen]

In "Cure For Me" the specific meaning is being against conversion therapy as you said, but it also has a broader and more general meaning: That we do not need to be "cured" or changed because we are slightly different. That is why in the music video Aurora deliberately shows all of her "quirks" with the shaking of her head and the weird movements. (Btw Aurora is openly bisexual). Quote: "Sometimes I feel like the whole world Is trying to convince you something is wrong with you. And sadly often people believe this to be true. It is very frightening how easy it is for someone to convince you that you are wrong. Or that you are overly emotional, too strange, and not good enough. And I think it’s about time we shut those voices out. Because in no way should anyone convince you that you are not worthy because of the way you look, act, your faith, or the way you are born to love. We should be allowed to be human. And we don’t need a cure for it." In "Heathens" the main meaning is an ode to Eve for giving us free will, and to other women like her during the ages that gave women freedom and were often burned for it. But the verses: "Everything you touch, Will be hers, A mother with no heart, Will give love" "Her love is yours, But only if you give, Your heart to her" might be about the god "Persephone" which this song is "linked" to, but I think she means Mother Earth (A mother with no heart), because when we "fell from sky with grace" we landed on Earth, and if we do not take care of it, we will get no love in return.

[@glacieractivity]

First - a lovely "objective" review (I like your omnism - yes everything matters - and that this core is what ties the album into a whole). It is to me like Aurora wanted to put together a mixed-tape about the contradictions of our human existence from big to large - then set out to compose and record every single song and stack those songs as a masterful mixed-tape creator so that it internally makes sense. Regarding the "godly" metaphysical aspect - Aurora has explained that she was thinking of before - we could touch the gods. Air was god. Earth was god. Trees could be gods. Then the Greek mythology came and gods walked among us with their flaws just like us. Before monotheism came around and put "god" high up - never to be seen or encountered. This makes perfect sense to me - everything matters - everything has relevance - and she is trying to touch the "godly" inside the good - and the worse. And her songs on this album - it is almost like she is having a Platonic monologue with herself. The love in Heathens - she is Eve - biting the forbidden apple - thus granting us free will. As such one can read it as criticism of god - who wanted us to stay without choice of thought. But without going atheistic about it - she still clearly see the "mystery" of existing. Regarding the hunter-hunted theme. She has always been on that. The best example Is from Queendom "I hunt the grounds for empathy ...And hate the way it hides from me". Now - is "This could be a dream" a bad song? It is the weakest song on the album as a stand-alone 4 minutes. Interestingly it works for me on the album. After more than 40 minutes of consistent existentialism (Aurora style) - this feels almost like she is asking forgiveness with a song that is a full-blown pastiche. Yes - it sounds like she is just bringing up an 80s Casio keyboard. Trying to say "I am not always this complicated". The first time I listened through the entire album on the day of release I actually giggled, thinking "Aurora has reached her 7th day of creation - and she saw it was good and she rested" I totally agree - this is absolutely her best record. Just how good it is we will not truly know before we get her live-versions (Aurora is better on stage than in the studio - that is just a fact of life). Is she a "pop artist", though? She sure camouflage as once (as Bjørk did with her first solo albums). But is she? She clearly can write a better 80s pop song that is better than 99,9% of pop songs written in the 80s - without the use of irony (and THAT is sensational since it should not be possible). That is something exceptional about her - the total lack of irony. It is as confident as Joni Michell exploding with "Blue" - making everyone on planet earth instantly know that it was not platitudes about "loves and kisses and heartbreaks" - it was an effing autobiography penned by a poet. Want to hear something equally crazy? It is months (if not a year) since Aurora stated that her next album is pretty much finished. It is soon 2 years since she dropped "Exist for love" as a single (having pretty much finished this record). There is a reason she sounds "out of time". She is making and releasing music completely out of time. "On October 28, 2019, Aurora mentioned that she is working on two albums at the same time, one of which she has said is "long into the future." She then talked about the closer one, saying: "It's not connected to Step 2. It has its own story. The perspective is much bigger ... It's even more about the individuals ... After that, Aurora said that this LP would be a standalone collection of songs and left a clue that says "Everything matters", mentioning that her fans would understand it .... the following month, Aurora announced that she is actually working on three albums and that one of them (likely the one previously mentioned) ... "I want to create something that feels like a best friend to the people ... "I guess I'm going even wider with that perspective, more spiritual. And then maybe I'll go back really, really small again. It's really exciting"." Yes - all this is from 2019. In a time when music production tropes change by the month - no wonder, she feels out of time. I am sorry you did not like at all 4 minutes on a 50-minute record 😀(when does that happen these days). I am cool with that - because a still maturing artist just gave us a 50 minute LP that is a concept album that feels as such with an insane base-level quality. It feels like a "playlist" insanely well put together to shine a light on one common theme. And this is where I personally bump it up from 8.5 to 9.5. The share artistic ambition of this thing is - well it is way above Tool's "Fear Inoculum". I think I have to compare it to Leprous' "Aphelion" on reinventing themselves to take on depression as a concept/thematic album. Let me finish by saying the following. I can not wait until Aurora's voice celebrates it's 30th year birthday. It is maturing like the finest wine, is it not? And her musical and word-composing skilled - yeah - she is out of time - so of course old songs will explode on some new "social platform" for new generations - since she does not sound like "early 2017" or whatever. This album has no right to feel as homogenic/"everything matters" as it does. Yet it does. Aurora as an "alt-electonica" pop artist just put effing some of the greatest piano blurbs - before casually putting an accordion into another song. On a record that feels consistent. It will age oh so well - because contemporary, it is not. Popular music - nah she is not a list grabber. As a thank you for a review that got my gratitude so much that I keep writing - I know you do album reviews. Give yourself a treat. Click on the link below and and listen to Aurora perform her song "Lucky", rearranged for strings, male choir, harp and pipe organ live in the 1000 year old national cathedral of Norway (you do not have to react to it - just look at this then 21 year old "pop-artist" perform her own "pop-song" kzbin.info/www/bejne/d563mqSIZ8SJd9k&ab_channel=Warriors%26Weirdos Now you know why I wait for the live versions - and why I wonder if she is a pop-star. Because I think I struggle with you defining her as a pop-music young artist. Is she really?

[@lillm6874]

About Lucky: She wrote it when she was 9 years old. I agree with you, and Aurora writes the music she want regardless of what is currently popular😅🥰

[@scheherazadesbrownees7012]

I don't think 'this could be a dream' is the best song on the album but I think it's a nice, chill song to let us breathe after the intense 'blood in the wine' and then going straight to 'a little place called the moon' which is a really sweet, soft and optimistic song and just like you said it reminds you of artemis but I think princess kaguya would also fit as the core of the album cause aurora thinks that being human is beautiful because we're able to experience life in all it's shades.

[@TheAkal]

I think it's a fairly good song which definitely fits as a bridge between the neighboring tunes. So SB, I agree with your sentiment.

[@SilverWitch31]

Can you listen to This Could Be A Dream 10 more times? Haha I think some songs will grow on you. I will definitely defend it and not call it a bad song. Maybe a song that won’t appeal to many because it sounds cheesy but it’s still a good song emotionally and I would say lyrics wise as well. This is AURORA explaining the song on her Apple music album “This Could Be a Dream” “I wrote this very late, so it was completely dark the whole time. I was thinking about people's dark hours, and I wanted to make a song for those who never learn to dance and run because they're just managing to stand up. It takes so many muscles for a human body to even stand up, so I can understand why people can’t find the strength for it. It’s very hard to be a human, and I'm just saddened by the idea that some people never get to explore their own full potential because they constantly have to simply fight for the right to exist. That just breaks my heart. So I wanted to make a song for them.” It’s a fantastic song for people who feel like they’re carrying too much burden and this light and dreamy song could be a comfort to them. I totally appreciate this breakdown though!

[@kanjubanju]

"this could be a dream" is probably my favourite song of the album. i wish prof skye elaborated on why he thinks it's a bad song the production itself perfectly captures the dreamlike quality; it truly transports me to another place. makes me think of 3am nights with friends on the road--the whole song just FEELS like a blanket of comfort and contentment ...which is so ironic because there's inherent tension there with the lyrical content--the song is about struggling, after all. but i think the dreamlike production precisely works to AID this struggle by easing it and making the listener more comfortable (as u mentioned). that's why u never feel the tension--it's quite impossible with the dreamlike soundscape of this song, and i find that irony so captivating her lyricism in the song is also a standout. there's so many "perhaps"s that it gives the song this nebulous quality that not only adds to the dreamscape but also grants the possibility of 'this struggle CAN get better'. some of my favourite lines: - And I sing sometimes to know I'm alive - Feeling so alive can hurt so very much - Could I trust love even if I'm scared? (coming from aurora?) - Oh, I wish I could give like I'm longing to give // Oh, I wish I could live like I'm longing to live i think "this could be a dream" is a masterfully vulnerable song that just does so much. definitely worth a relisten--headphones, at night in bed, eyes closed... chefs kiss

[@SilverWitch31]

@@kanjubanju holy cow you defended our little favorite so well! I hope Professor can listen to our plea to listen to it again! Or at least yes explain why he doesn’t like it other than being cheesy 🤣

[@SilverWitch31]

@@kanjubanju you worded my conflicting emotions so perfectly!!! The lyrics do depict this struggle, like am I living the dream or reality of this? MY GOODNESS HUHU MY HEART IM ABOUT TO TEAR UP JUST TALKING ABOUT IT 🥺🥺🥺 definitely my fave in the album

[@hollyfae_art]

Yes it is such a beautiful song and when she talked about how sometimes we need help in those times, to get ahead “I know I should figure this out on my own, but if you come back would you take me home?” It’s letting us know to reach out to each other and help each other

[@ivrigbruker4925]

For me the theme of the album is: I want to live my life, Be all of its pages, Giving into the love.

[@markprazoff1076]

The Heathens lyrics, referring to "a Mother with no heart," are: "her love is yours, but only if you give your heart to her." Perhaps this is suggesting that the price of divine love is too much. Very interesting reaction Thank you so much!

[@hollyfae_art]

I think the mother with no heart is the earth. Everything you touch will be hers.. a mother with no heart, will give love... the earth is not human but she is our mother, and if we care for her in return, she will give us a home.

[@gertwestblad9052]

You could check out her interview at Lindmo, TV2 show, last saturday with CC. She explains the general idé of this album. 😉

[@jazoon7249]

My only comment on this review would be not to personalize Aurora in the lyrics. Some maybe about personal experience but when she has talked about the songs, it seems more like she's writing about types of people or situations or personality types. Then relating these themes to mythology and religious archetypes. Also "This could be a dream " is not a bad song.

[@warriorsofadifferentkind567]

Love the Fleet Foxes comparison, I was kind of a super fan of theirs way back and I never put that together. I’m a super fan of Aurora now and I definitely see the comparison. Also, I appreciate all your opinions and comments. I think Aurora loves the fact that everyone can experience her music in a personal way. I saw her perform and met her twice last weekend in London. She is a very special human being, She spends time with you and is very present. All the members of her band and her manager are the most sincere, warm and unpretentious people. A beautiful experience. Thanks for your review.

[@hollyfae_art]

“HER love is yours”, not “my love is yours” . This song refers to Persephone, queen of the underworld. This refers to the divine earth, “ everything you touch will be hers” - everything returns to the earth over time.. “a mother with no heart will give love” - Mother Earth has no heart, but she gives us life. “Her love is yours, but only if you give your heart to her” - if we are good to the earth instead of destroying it, if we live more in contact with nature, nature will give back to us. Maybe this is a concept too New-age crystal shop for you. Because the earth is also the theme of Exhale Inhale. Asking why we are doing nothing “stood but somehow calm, in the madness of the storm” - the level of global warming, deforestation, using limited resources is clearly harming us, but we are ignoring it. Even though the “siren singing” is a clear warning, we are doing nothing.

[@christinevr7698]

Excellent comment! Completely agree!!

[@kippys1]

I enjoyed your reaction and commentary, and it did make me think even more about the music and themes running through the album. HEATHENS casts Eve as a liberator, essentially giving humans free will. The Goddess Persephone is the earth itself, which is not a personal god per se -- hence "a mother with no heart." EXHALE, INHALE is at least on one level about dealing with the anxiety one feels about what is happening to our planet and life. TEMPORARY HIGH (to me at least) invokes Blondie (Deborah Harry) from the 80's. AURORA's vocalizations in BLOOD IN THE WINE do call to mind Ennio Morricone (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, etc.), but the composition sounds less like a western, and could easily fit into a flat-out adventure film soundtrack. As a whole, and in places, the album (and AURORA's music more generally) invokes archetypes (and I could see her exploring 'mythagos' generated from the ancient memories and myths within the subconscious of human minds).

[@jessica5497]

She almost never writes about "herself", or her experiences... She's not Florence Welch or Taylor Swift in that way. I think this is the thing you missed in the review. Thanks for the review 💜

[@mafxarr8776]

This album had SO MANY amazing songs that have quickly become favorites of mine. I have to agree with you though, about your take on the that penultimate song of the album. It was my least favorite and i simply did not care for it. But I love around 97-98% of her entire discography so that’s pretty stellar for any artist for sure. New subscriber from Maldives 🇲🇻👍

[@nolongerinvolved]

20:06 I took it as her referring to Mother Nature

[@panchiolarranaga1616]

Interesting approach, doing your homework huh? Aurora is tthe Best of the best!

[@piesause1376]

I'm so obsessed with this album and also I love to listen to you talk all day,

[@scheherazadesbrownees7012]

Yes, I agree with your amazing moments 😃

[@disgaeajean13]

i can’t believe i didn’t catch this 8 days ago uGHHHH

[@kiroolioneaver8532]

Interesting review that convinced me to check out the album (after never having previously heard the artist). On its ethereal moments, I feel like this album could be seen as a more successful/sticking the landing version of what Lorde's "Solar Power" was intended to be; a kind of treatise on the oneness of human beings with nature (as well as some climate change/environmental advocacy thrown in for good measure) that actually works (thanks in large part to more interesting production, vocals, lyrics, and melodies). In addition to girl in red (whose review last year encouraged me to check out that solid album), along with Dagny's mostly "meh" but some solid singles off her album in late 2020, along with Maria Mena's late 2020 project also, I'm really looking forward to a strong album from electro pop Highasakite coming out on Friday to continue to contribute to strong female musical submissions from Norway.

[@markstuartwakeley]

Great review big fan of her since 2015 not over impressed with this album lacks the emotional depth of her previous work. But if it spreads her message so be it. Stay safe.

[@babigian15]

Great video, as always. You didn’t touch on a lot of the environmental themes that are (at least to me) very prevalent on the album (it might be your Freudian aversion to new age ideologies). When I listened to this album, I got the impression it was largely about treasuring nature and the environment. Whenever she refers to “her,” I took it as a reference to Mother Nature (i.e. the mother she sings about throughout the album). When she says, “My love is yours, but only if you give your love to her,” I think she means she can only love someone who shows an equal appreciation for the natural world. As you mentioned, she keeps cycling back to this theme of devotion vs apathy and this idea that the love a person receives amounts to the love they give. I think she may be drawing comparisons between herself and Mother Nature (the god we can touch). If we want to take from nature, we must respect it and give back to it; if a person wants to love Aurora, they must put in as much love as they want to receive-they can’t be apathetic, or to use your term, they must be an omnimist. I also think the hunting/savagery/bestiary/mythology/Wicca imagery makes more sense if you look at the album as an environmental record. This is the only Aurora album I’ve listened to, so I’m no expert; this is just how I heard it.

[@thekittencult]

I hear three stories being told at one time in this album and agree with you that one of those stories is a respect for mother nature. I wouldn't put it past Aurora to consciously fit multiple stories from different perspectives to fit into one song that then fits into multiple album themes or stories throughout the album as a whole.

[@babigian15]

@@thekittencult I agree. I think the environmental themes definitely run concurrently with themes of love, apathy, humanism/misanthropy, etc. Out of curiosity, what were the three stories you heard on this album?

[@ericgeneric135]

Always enjoy your reviews! You should check out Che Noir's Food for Thought album which just came out.

[@Accolonian]

I remember watching your last Aurora review when I had only known her myself for a few weeks. I don't think I have been back since (sorry). I mostly go for reactions and not so much reviews, so you haven't popped up. Speaking of reactions, I actually think that my counter to your dislike of "This could be a dream" is going to be anecdotal. I don't have a strong opinion of the song yet, but I have seen many reactors having very positive reactions to it, one even comparing it with Infections of a different kind. So the song can't be objectively bad at least. It has an audience. But I don't mind that you think it is bad, it is worse that you call it cheesy. And that is because Aurora is such a force of originality, that that word really does her injustice. But I guess you could say it was cheesy relative to the other songs. But I also get the feeling that you think this because you are a bit literal about the meaning of the songs, taking them as statements about her relationship with men and such. Even something about them hunting her? This is fine by the way, she encourages people to make their own interpretations of the lyrics, even the to point that I think she deliberately obscures them, or at least make them ambiguous. Auroras songs are often about other points of view than her own and on this album many of the persons referenced in the songs are greek goddesses and gods. The "her" in Heathens is Persephone for instance. Actually, the only personal viewpoint song on the album is Exist for Love, which is actually about her being in love. If anything is cheesy, it is that song. But it works, since the song is so heartfelt. Anyway, thank you for the review, I enjoyed watching it. Edit: I think the opposite of Nihilism is Existentialism, but I do like Omnimism also.

[@nolongerinvolved]

Yes! I’m glad you did this!

[@jeffreyrhodes3017]

I loved your dissection of AURORA’S wonderful new Lp The variety or zig zag, as you mentioned of music styles really speaks to me much like the classic (but before it’s time and holds up even better today)… Blondie’s AUTOAMERICAN (hey there is a review I’d love to get your take on)…… oh and this could be a dream is in my top 3 tracks, but I will also admit it’s the most “ commercial or dare I say radio friendly.

[@lillia5333]

You are connecting the songs to men. You will never get it. You miss out on a lot and you seem a bit shallow. But it's perfectly ok. There are all kinds of humans. Would be boring if we all were the same.

[@maxson0155554]

Hi I'm from Brazil and I love your hair

[@TheAkal]

"It's her love is yours"

[@ilyachap]

About 2:30-2:36 Runaway became a pretty big hit on tiktok last year because of couple of trends.

[@rolfjamne8922]

Love Aurora and your analyse's. You got your self a new subscriber. I think you will love Kalandra. another Norwegian band with a female singer who I think sounds a lot like Aurora but the music is more guitar based and more alternativ rock than Aurora. Check out Slow motion Live at Gildehallen or Brave new world live(based on Aldous Huxsley's novel). Their live performances are often better than the studio versions.🤘

[@emileeodd6682]

Giving Into the Love 2:12 sounds a lot like the piano solo near the end of ABBA's Chiquitita. Anybody else hear that?

[@MarionJInce]

Supposedly Heathens is based on Persephone (Queen of the underworld. Queen of the damned). So, give yourself to her. Each song is supposed to be related to a different Greek god.

[@Histio]

Can you please review the album Flowers for my Father by Sadistik? I've had a deep connection with the album since I first heard it. Sadistik is one of the most beautiful and poetic lyricist currently making hip hop music.

[@scheherazadesbrownees7012]

I actually thought you'd hate 'a temporary high'

[@sergiobermont6552]

when will you be talking about GAGA

[@MariaJose-je7wm]

I dont know if anyone has already said that, but Aurora is a bi cis woman.

[@ryanpangilinan5803]

Believed Laufey is pronounced a bit closer to Loi-Vey?

[@ryanpangilinan5803]

kzbin.inforgzfVl6x-cQ?si=oxMQ5krUUKaNa-96 Yup here’s her pronouncing it ^

[@FarithLopezV]

Raveena please!!!✨✨✨

[@disgaeajean13]

you mean Omnism?

[@luisddrumer4320]

I haven't heard the track list yet, but I bet the bad song you mention is sure to be Blood in the wine...let's find out if I got it right.

[@BethanieBoots]

Nah you're right, This could be a dream is very lackluster against the rest of the tracks. But hey.... they couldn't ALL be bangers. lolol

[@jjmail1971]

The good thing is the songs evolve during her live performances. Some of her album tracks that I'm not crazy about are freaking stellar live.

[@togu_mak245]

I cant belive you missed the house is burning by isaiah rashad

[@zuriekktsugrundist9147]

I actually agree that “This Could Be A Dream” was the least best song on the album. I think, for me, it sounded very cookie cutter in structure and uneventful. I also agree that Aurora is far superior when compared to Lady Gaga (I do actually enjoy her music). I also want you you know you have amazing eyes, Jezzus! I may be wrong, but I think the solo in “Artemis” is a melodica.

[@TheVirtualWatcher]

Hmmm!!! ... You may like Aurora but I feel that you don't 'get' her ... I won't give you a dislike, but I'll probably not be back.

[@reaganwiles_art]

it had to be a Latinism didn't it, you born Romantic

[@mistercointreau5247]

Thirty five minutes waffling about a video? I'll give this a miss.

[@pepitai9978]

Cadê o viagra vovô?

[@vagathina1]

Sorry Sky but I personally find this album a little bit boring with mediocre production and unimpressive songwriting. But hey i'm happy that you liked it :)

[@GuttenSin]

so keep away

[@lillm6874]

Unimpressive songwriting, that I’ve never ever heard someone say about Aurora, it’s so stupid I have to laugh 😂 Even though You obviously don’t like Auroras music, it doesn’t make her a bad songwriter!🙄

[@vagathina1]

@@lillm6874 but like seriously, they are your typical pop lyrics with a "dark" edge. but still it's nice that you enjoyed it, it isn't for me really

[@lillm6874]

@@vagathina1 Have you really heard her lyrics? I don’t think so, not “really “ heard them. Cause if you did, you would know she doesn’t write about things like other pop artists. There is laying deeper meanings behind them all!

[@vagathina1]

@@lillm6874 this is what i meant with the "dark" edge and yes they are deeper themes but they just don't impress me from the perspective of deepness nor from the quality. but it's ok if you like it, i can i see multiple people liking this project but I DO NOT. They are for me "dark" pop lyrics and in my opinion the latest CHVRCHES LP is better at being a dark pop album with depth