Aurora Aksnes, known mononymously as AURORA, is a Norwegian singer, songwriter, and record producer born on June 15, 1996, in Stavanger, Norway. Raised in the towns of Høle and Os, Aurora began her musical journey at a young age, composing her first melodies at the age of six and writing lyrics by the age of nine. Her early creations, such as “Running with the Wolves,” “I Went Too Far,” and “Runaway,” were penned during this formative period. Aurora’s talent soon caught the attention of the music industry after her songs were uploaded online, leading to a recording contract with Petroleum Records, Decca, and Glassnote Records in 2014.
Aurora gained widespread recognition with her debut extended play (EP), Running with the Wolves (2015), which featured the sleeper hit “Runaway.” Her ethereal vocals and distinctive style resonated with a global audience, and later that year, she gained further prominence by providing the backing track for the John Lewis Christmas advert, singing a cover of the Oasis song “Half the World Away.” This cover was included as a bonus track on the deluxe version of her debut studio album, All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend (2016). The album received generally positive reviews, charted in various European countries, and earned double platinum certification in Norway.
Aurora’s sophomore studio album, Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) (2018), marked the first part of a two-part project, with the second part being her third studio album, A Different Kind of Human (Step 2) (2019). Her music, characterized by a blend of electropop, folk, and art pop, often features “ethereal” vocals and “darkly romantic electro-folk” elements. Aurora’s distinctive voice and style have drawn comparisons to artists such as Björk, Kate Bush, and Florence and the Machine.
In addition to her solo work, Aurora has collaborated with and co-written songs for various artists, including Askjell, Sub Urban, Sondre Lerche, Tom Odell, and the Chemical Brothers. Her contributions extend to soundtracks for several films, television series, and video game franchises, including Frozen II, Wolfwalkers, Netflix’s live-action One Piece series, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Sky: Children of the Light, and Assassin’s Creed.
Aurora’s fourth studio album, The Gods We Can Touch, was released on January 21, 2022, further solidifying her reputation as a unique and influential artist. On June 7, 2024, she released her fifth studio album, What Happened to the Heart?, continuing her exploration of emotional and musical depth.
Aurora’s eclectic musical style encompasses art pop, Nordic-folk, synth-pop, electro-folk, and avant-garde pop, among other genres. She initially played only the piano but later expanded her musical repertoire to include percussion and other aspects of music production. Her influences range from Susanne Sundfør and Emilíana Torrini to Lorde and Björk. Described as a “poetic author of art-pop” and an “unaffectedly curious artist,” Aurora’s songs often feature recurring vocal motifs and an emotional language she invented to enhance the energy and meaning of her performances.
Aurora’s profound connection with her audience is reflected in her quote on the Glassnote Records website, where she emphasizes the importance of conveying hope through her music, even when addressing sad themes. Her captivating melodies, ethereal vocals, and innovative approach to songwriting have earned her a devoted fanbase and critical acclaim, making her a prominent figure in contemporary music.
