Immensely I by A.U.R.A

8/10: NZ still pumping out good shit

Now, I totally admit to having somewhat of a limited music taste and generally would not have heard of A.U.R.A if I did not seek them out for some local material to review, because I’m completely unashamed about living in the world of ‘90s dance music. But upon listening to their latest release Immensely I, released at the beginning of February, I became genuinely interested in their other work. 

The third single from their upcoming album Secret Intelligent Light, the well-crafted harmonies and commanding of their studio space are of a quality that you would not expect from most New Zealand artists. Their goal is to evoke ‘An elegy for rebirth’, according to lead singer/songwriter Albert Nikolaj. Now, I’m too lyrically dense and sonically challenged to understand that, but I feel like others could. The tambourine could work like that! Immensely I possesses a sound that has me thinking I kinda get where they’re coming from on that regard. I can’t help but think of the first time I listened to Viðrar vel til loftárása by Sigur Rós, one of the few bands of their ilk that I’m actually familiar with. The feelings of completeness, of peace, yet combined with a frenetic energy are aspects that links both songs together – not necessarily in terms of similar audio structure, but in terms of overarching goal.

It’s not enough to  transfer my worship of Kylie Minogue, but I want to listen to more.