What Happened to the Heart?

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What Happened to the Heart?
Studio album by
Aurora
Released7 June 2024 (2024-06-07)
Length63:01
Label
Producer
Aurora chronology
The Gods We Can Touch
(2022) 		What Happened to the Heart?
(2024)
Singles from What Happened to the Heart?
  1. "Your Blood"
    Released: 8 November 2023
  2. "The Conflict of the Mind"
    Released: 18 January 2024
  3. "Some Type of Skin"
    Released: 20 March 2024

What Happened to the Heart? is the upcoming fourth studio album by Norwegian singer-songwriter and record producer Aurora, set for release on 7 June 2024 through Decca, Glassnote and Petroleum Records. Written and recorded between Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, Aurora worked with Ane Brun, Matias Tellez, Tom Rowlands, Chris Greatti, Dave Hamelin and Magnus Skylstad on its production.

It has been preceded by the release of three singles between November 2023 and March 2024: "Your Blood", "The Conflict of the Mind" and "Some Type of Skin". To promote the album, Aurora will embark on a European headlining concert tour in September and October 2024.

Background and conception[edit]

In April 2022, Aurora read a letter co-written by indigenous activists titled "We Are the Earth", which, according to magazine The Line of Best Fit, "changed her life".[1] The letter called for a revolution: a collective response to global warming. They described the planet as "the heart that pulsates within us", a statement that led Aurora to create the album's title and concept.[1] She began writing the album while on tour for The Gods We Can Touch, her previous album released on 21 January 2022.[1] In January 2023, Aurora confirmed that she was back in the recording studio working on new music, which she called "so many babies".[2]

What Happened to the Heart? was announced via her social media accounts on 28 March 2024.[3] She has dubbed the album as her most personal and cathartic project in her career.[4] In a press release, she added: "Though its precise function and anatomy were not clearly understood, the heart was believed to be the centre of the soul. Of intuition. Of emotion and intention. Until we decided these were qualifications of the mind. Emotion overpowered by logic. And with the world being so corrupted by money, power and selfishness you cannot help but ask yourself – what happened to the heart?".[5] Being interviewed by NME, the singer said that the title of the album is "the most important, beautiful and sad question I've ever wondered in my life".[6]

Recording and production[edit]

What Happened to the Heart? was recorded and produced between Norway, Germany, London, and Los Angeles. On the album, Aurora worked with her close collaborator Magnus Skylstad, along with musicians Ane Brun, Matias Tellez, Tom Rowlands of The Chemical Brothers, Chris Greatti and Dave Hamelin.[7]

Composition[edit]

Aurora stated that the album's sound is very different from the previously released songs.[6] On "Some Type of Skin", she "hone[s] in" on her signature alternative pop sound, as well as introduce synth-pop[8] and elements of electropop.[9]

Promotion[edit]

Singles[edit]

What Happened to the Heart? was preceded by the release of three singles. The song "Your Blood" was released on 8 November 2023 as the lead single from the album.[10] It marked her first solo musical material since The Gods We Can Touch in 2022.[11] The second single, titled "The Conflict of the Mind", was released on 18 January 2024 along a music video co-directed by Aurora alongside Kaveh Nabatian from The Barr Brothers.[12] "Some Type of Skin" was released as the third and final single from the record on 20 March 2024. She performed it for the first time during an intimate show at London's Lafayette.[9]

Tour[edit]

On 28 March 2024, along with the album announcement, Aurora confirmed that she will embark on her sixth concert tour, titled What Happened to the Earth? Part 1 Tour, with dates in European cities including Milan, Vienna, Prague, Krakow, Warsaw, Berlin, Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, London and Manchester. It contains a concert at the Royal Albert Hall.[7] General sale for the tour will start on 5 April 2024; people who pre-ordered the album received an exclusive ticket pre-sale link for two days in advance.[13][14]

Track listing[edit]

What Happened to the Heart track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Echo of My Shadow"  4:05
2."To Be Alright"  4:06
3."Your Blood"
  • Aurora
  • Greatti
4:07
4."The Conflict of the Mind"
  • Aksnes
  • Greatti
  • Greatti
4:15
5."Some Type of Skin"
  • Aksnes
  • Greatti
  • Aurora
  • Greatti
3:11
6."The Essence"  3:10
7."Earthly Delights"  3:21
8."The Dark Dresses Lightly"  3:35
9."A Soul with No King"  4:24
10."Dreams"  4:24
11."My Name"  3:20
12."Do You Feel"  3:02
13."Starvation"  3:28
14."The Blade"  4:33
15."My Body Is Not Mine"  4:01
16."Invisible Wounds"  4:59
Total length:63:01

Release history[edit]

Release dates and formats for What Happened to the Heart?
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various 7 June 2024
[15]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Kelly, Tyler Damara (28 March 2024). "AURORA announces fourth studio album, What Happened To The Heart?". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  2. ^ Ng, Scott (6 January 2023). "AURORA is back in the studio working on "so many babies"". NME. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Aurora to release new album What Happened To The Heart? in June". Live 4 Ever. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  4. ^ Taylor, Sam (28 March 2024). "Aurora has announced her fourth studio album and a European headline tour". Dork. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  5. ^ Murray, Robin (28 March 2024). "AURORA Confirms New Album 'What Happened To The Heart?'". Clash. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  6. ^ a b Trendell, Andrew (29 March 2024). "AURORA talks 'What Happened To The Heart?': "Apathy is the biggest enemy to progress"". NME. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b Dunworth, Liberty (28 March 2024). "AURORA announces new album 'What Happened To The Heart' and announces UK and European tour". NME. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  8. ^ Schube, Will (21 March 2024). "AURORA Unveils New Synth-Pop Single "Some Type of Skin"". Flood Magazine. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  9. ^ a b Dunworth, Liberty (21 March 2024). ""Being human is really delicious" – AURORA calls for peace on huge new single 'Some Type Of Skin'". NME. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  10. ^ Taylor, Sam (8 November 2023). "Aurora has released a new single, 'Your Blood': "The world is always bleeding"". Dork. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  11. ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (8 November 2023). "AURORA returns with full force on new single, "Your Blood"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  12. ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (19 January 2024). "Aurora returns with "The Conflict of The Mind"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Aurora - Official Store - Shop Exclusive Music & Merch". Aurora. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  14. ^ Johnson, Laura (28 March 2024). "Aurora Announces New Album 'What Happened To The Heart?', Confirms UK And European Tour". Stereoboard. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  15. ^ Citations concerning What Happened to the Heart? release formats:
    1. "What Happened to the Heart? CD". Aurora. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
    2. "What Happened to the Heart? 2LP". Aurora. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
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