"Your Blood" is a song recorded by Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora for her fifth studio album, What Happened to the Heart? (2024). She wrote and produced it along with Chris Greatti. It was released through Decca Records and Universal Music Group on 8 November 2023 as the lead single from the album. The song marked Aurora's first release of new solo musical material in nearly two years since her previous 2022 album The Gods We Can Touch. An indie pop track with synthesizer-infused instrumentals, "Your Blood" was compared by music critics to the works of the Swedish rock band the Cardigans.
| "Your Blood" | ||||
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| Single by Aurora | ||||
| from the album What Happened to the Heart? | ||||
| Released | 8 November 2023 | |||
| Genre | Indie pop | |||
| Length | 4:08 | |||
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| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Aurora singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Your Blood" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editAurora first teased a new song on 27 October 2023 while sharing, in her X (formerly Twitter) official account, an audio video and a link to pre-save the song, with the caption "08.11".[1] On 31 October, she shared a video and audio clip with an emoji of a blood drop.[1] On the following day, she officially announced the release of "Your Blood", along with its cover artwork. She also confirmed a series of concert dates in Norway.[2] She said in a statement: "Hello my darlings. I've been feeling slightly torn about releasing new music, when there’s so much pain in the world. But with time I've decided there might be no better time to give you a little song... Than now".[3] Aurora referred to the Gaza humanitarian crisis as a result of the Israel–Hamas war.[4]
Composition
edit"You Blood" was co-written and co-produced by Aurora and Chris Greatti in Los Angeles, and mixed by Mitch McCarthy.[5] It is an indie pop track[6] fueled by synthesizers and guitars,[2][7] and finds the singer "letting her guard down in an ode to the human soul, celebrating its vulnerability, emotions and flaws".[5] Discussing the announcement of the song, she stated:
"The world is always bleeding. And you never know what is going on under people's skin. I think it’s only when we reach out to each other, that we understand what compassion and beauty we are capable of as human beings. Even if we can’t understand what people are going through: we should still try. If we don’t, what is a life truly worth? Sometimes addressing the pain, your own, or the pain of the world hurts so much it feels like dying. But in truth, I believe it is then we are born. Your blood. My blood. Our blood".[8]
Critical reception
editWhile including the song on their list of Queer Jams of the Week, "Your Blood" was described by Billboard as a "truly undeniable pop banger".[7] In album reviews of What Happened to the Heart, several critics found similarities between "Your Blood" and the works of the Swedish rock band the Cardigans.[9][6] For Stereoboard, Will Marshall said that the syncopation of its backing instruments "elevate the song".[10]
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 8 November 2023 | Decca | [11] | |
| Italy | Radio airplay | Universal | [12] |
References
edit- ^ a b Aubrey, Elizabeth (31 October 2023). "Aurora shares clip of poppy new single, 'Your Blood'". NME. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ a b Dunworth, Liberty (8 November 2023). "AURORA shares blissful new single 'Your Blood'". NME. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (2 November 2023). "Aurora announces her forthcoming single, "Your Blood"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ Okechukwu, Nmesoma (13 November 2023). "AURORA – Your Blood". Euphoriazine. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b Robinson, Otis (7 June 2024). "Aurora - What Happened To The Heart? review". DIY. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ a b Daw, Stephen (10 November 2023). "Queer Jams of the Week: New Music From Kim Petras, 070 Shake, Dove Cameron & More". Billboard. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ Taylor, Sam (8 November 2023). "AURORA has released a new single, 'Your Blood': "The world is always bleeding"". Dork. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ Trendell, Andrew. "AURORA – 'What Happened To The Heart?' review: a heavy, ravey call for humanity". NME. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ Marshall, Will (11 June 2024). "Aurora - What Happened To The Heart? (Album Review)". Stereoboard. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ Sloman, Christine (8 November 2023). "AURORA begins a new era with "Your Blood"". Melodic Magazine. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ Rampana, Valeria (7 November 2023). "Aurora - Your Blood (Radio Date: 08-11-2023)". EarOne (in Italian). Retrieved 28 March 2024.