Norwegian pop star AURORA releases eerie and eccentric ‘The Gods We Can Touch’

Featuring punchy and alien production, AURORA’s latest piece shows maturity and idiosyncratic tendencies.

Natalie Willis and Emily Coffey • February 3, 2022

Norwegian pop star AURORA releases eerie and eccentric 'The Gods We Can Touch'

AURORA released her fourth album “The Gods We Can Touch” on Jan. 21, a healthy distance from her previous album, “A Different Kind of Human (Part II).” It is contemplative at times, and at others, a head-banging, 80s infused anthem about love.

INTO THE DIVINE

AURORA has dabbled in several different genres such as Native American folk music and even contributed to the “Frozen 2” soundtrack, marking “The Gods We Can Touch” as her most mature and accomplished work to date. Her album is an exploration into layers of pop catharsis whilst decomplexing the concept of the divine.

The album opens with “The Forbidden Fruits of Eden,” a mix of angelic acoustics that set the tone of the album before reaching into the second track “Everything Matters (feat. Pomme)” a stand-out track of lyrical mastercism and funky ritualistic beats. The melodies sound like air as the artist’s ballad depicts an ordinary relationship transformed into a divine and intrinsic part of the universe.

AURORA IN LOVE

To AURORA, love and divinity go hand in hand, causing a romantic element of humanity as God to enter every song. However, in “Giving In To The Love,” the art-pop singer’s vocals are drowned out by overbearing drums. More conventional than other tracks, it misses the mark on groundbreaking divinity.

Combating this, “Exist for Love” is masterfully created and executed, cradling listeners in a lullaby-like delicacy. AURORA’s vocals breathe freely here as she describes what it feels like to fall in love. She personifies love, giving it personality and physical being, to prove her declaration that love is all-encompassing “Like white horses on the waves/I think it feels the same.”

However, AURORA’S view on love is not always positive. In her 11th track “A Dangerous Thing,” AURORA depicts a tumultuous relationship claiming “I keep forgetting/ There’s no love in the end.” Her multifaceted view on love and relationships is extreme—love is an enrapturing savior or it is a thief, stealing joy from wide-eyed believers.

Overall, AURORA’s fourth album masterfully captures the essence of folkloric love balanced by angelic melodies and electronic dance tracks. The artist never plays it safe and constantly tests her boundaries, allowing her to create truly inspired work such as “The Gods We Can Touch.”

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About the Contributors

Natalie Willis, Editor-in-Chief

Natalie Willis is a junior journalism major who loves golden retrievers, Wes Anderson movies and rainy days. Hi! I am from Bakersfield, CA, land of cows and oil rigs. Growing up on a farm with a veterinarian father, I assumed I would follow in his footsteps to pursue a career in agriculture. God had other plans. Reluctantly, I listened but had every intention to switch my major from journalism to pretty much anything else. Half way through my freshman year, I was working on a portfolio project which involved pitching ideas, interviewing sources and telling a story—suddenly, everything clicked into place. I loved what I was doing, who I was meeting and where I thought I could go. God has a way of telling us we are on the right path and I have felt that throughout my college career. Three years ago, if someone told me I would be the editor-in-chief of a student news publication I would have politely advised them to seek counseling. Now, I cannot imagine a life without tight story deadlines and strict adherence to AP style. I am so excited to lead The Chimes this year as we enter into a new era of print media.

Emily Coffey, Managing Editor

Emily Coffey is a senior broadcast journalism major who loves John Mayer, Bernese Mountain Dogs and high fives. [email protected] I grew up in the beautiful state of Oregon, which provided a lot of opportunities for adventures like white water rafting, mountain biking, and hiking. During a three-month stint in Nepal with my family (I was homeschooled), I got to document the lives of 13 women who had undergone some form of human trafficking, medical neglect, or family abuse. From here, I found my passion for storytelling. Though I came to Biola as a music major, I started working at the Chimes my freshman year and quickly made the switch to broadcast journalism. My love of verbal and written communication, especially in storytelling, soon blossomed into a love of visual storytelling. Now, I work for the Chimes and am heavily involved in many other student media organizations. You can find me covering a story, interviewing students about their artwork, at the beach, or running.