AURORA AURA “S/T” (Totally Real Records) 2021
Whether or not a conscious choice, the turquoise cassette encasing this recording employs a hue clinically known to signify stress reduction. New Jersey duo, Aurora Aura starts their journey From the North, and heads in several directions. Initially, guitar and treatment offer a gentle rhythm that recalls the meditative, Steve Reich-inspired parts of TNT-era Tortoise. In arrives a windswept vocal layer, and completes a proper introduction. What follows is a long-form shiny metallic exploration by the name of Mind’s Eye. The cover image happens to evoke a textured fractal variant on Magic Eye posters, which challenge visual ability beyond the regular rods and cones. Consider where optical puzzles and ambient music meet halfway, and the possibility of synesthesia.
The next two tracks, Holding Space and Whatever Story It Is inhabit territory similar to that of guided meditation, with the lines “holding all of it… rain wash away” and “whatever it is you say will play out…in the quiet background”. They suggest healing and affirmations for general well being. The link below to the band and label’s online offering includes song lyrics, which are poems on their own.
Alice Fawn’s vocals and Dustin Sebes’ guitar strike a balance and share the space equally across this record, as they seem to have a proper read of each other’s sensibilities. Fawn's delivery along with layers and intricate effects are in family with those of Julianna Barwick's and Liz Harris'(Grouper). At times it is hard to tell which is leading the song, the vocals or the guitars, and that suggests a shared responsibility. Meadow exercises a rare low-end intro, a variation on this pairing. Both dig lower in their registers to achieve rich and soulful results, even hints of Van Morrison's Astral Weeks.
Would-be album closer, the cassette's penultimate Lullaby, introduces a soft metronome-like guitar ticking, and maintains through to the end. There isn’t a building-up but rather a signal of continuum, just like occasional moments that pulses and heartbeats become noticeable in a silent room. Tangerine Dream's Risky Business soundtrack contributions (completely removed from the film context) come to mind as well. The singing maintains the threads of mind, consciousness, spirit, body, place, feeling... Although the title suggests a slowing down, shutting down for a nap, the cassette follows with another by the name of Sunshine of the Heart.
In lieu of a metronome, Aurora Aura enlists a live-action drummer in the form of Ted Rawson. The unexpected trio drops a secular Easter egg on our heads like a pastoral folk tune that somehow sounds familiar to both Stand Up era Jethro Tull, and the organic display of Silver Jews’ Federal Dust. It sounds truly freeform and loose as can be, showcasing significant musical chemistry. It’s the eventual rolling rollicking send-off: picture a hand built schooner on its maiden voyage to parts unknown. No maps on board, and no electronic gadgetry to interfere or confuse, but there is a self-sufficient lower-deck solar micro greens farm, and a seawater to drinking water filtration system installed. Thus concludes the journey of the turquoise tape upon the eleven seas.
adam padavano
