Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1)
Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) is the second extended play (EP)[1] by Norwegian singer-songwriter and record producer Aurora. It was released digitally on 28 September 2018 and physically on 1 November 2019 by Decca and Glassnote Records. Originally a full-length album, she created the EP as the first part of a two-part album, the second part being her second studio album A Different Kind of Human (Step 2) (2019). Aurora enlisted producers Askjell Solstrand, Jakwob, Couros and MyRiot, aside previous collaborators Magnus Skylstad and Electric.
Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | 28 September 2018 | |||
Recorded | January–April 2018 | |||
Studio | La Fabrique (Saint-Rémy de Provence) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 33:13 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Aurora chronology | ||||
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Singles from Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) | ||||
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Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) was described as a pop, electropop and art pop record, though it also features elements of synth-pop, chamber pop, folk, experimental pop, and futurepop. Its lyrical themes were described as domestic abuse, global warming, connection versus connectivity, fear of intimacy, and empowerment. The EP received critical acclaim from music critics, who complimented Aurora's involvement in the production of the record as well as her progression from her debut album.
Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) was supported by the release of the singles "Queendom" and "Forgotten Love", which were released in April and August 2018, respectively. The release was a minor commercial success; it peaked at number seven in Norway and at number 191 in the Netherlands and was certified platinum in the former country. Even though the EP did not receive a nomination at the Spellemannprisen '17, the music video of "Queendom" was nominated for Music Video of the Year.
Background and production
"[Infections of a Different Kind] (Step 1) is a natural step after my first album, which was about looking into yourself, looking at all of it and accepting all of it. [...] This step is about moving on with that. I think that we are meant to really fight for each other, but I think it really prevents us having the capacity to see other people when we're in pain. First you accept that life comes with pain, then you really work on it. I really want people to listen to this step and feel like they're getting stronger."
— Aurora explaining the concept behind Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) to NME.[2]
When announcing the release of her debut album All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend (2016), Aurora said that it was "the first album of many" that she has planned.[3] In an interview with Gigwise, she explained that because of most of the record was recorded a year before, its sound "feels very old" and that she had "to let things go;" she also said that the writing process of her following album had already begun.[4] In October 2016, during a Facebook live stream, Aurora stated that she had fifteen demos and had written around a thousand songs to that date.[5]
On 30 September 2017, Aurora posted on her Instagram account that she began the production of her following album.[6] Some of the new material was anticipated in several live performances, including festivals like Lollapalooza and Coachella.[7][8] Aurora travelled to La Fabrique, a farmhouse studio located in southern France, to record Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) in January 2018. The production included new producers Askjell Solstrand and Roy Kerr and Tim Bran from MyRiot, with Aurora herself also involved in this aspect.[9][10][11] Her stay in France during the EP's recording was filmed for Aurora's documentary Once Aurora.[12] The EP was mixed and mastered in Bergen, with Aurora announcing through an Instagram story on 3 April 2018 that it was finished.[10][13]
Aurora initially stated to Idolator in April 2018 that Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) was originally a full-length album with 11 tracks.[14] Nevertheless, she later revealed two months later that the album was split in two parts, the first part being Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) on EP format.[15][16] Aurora chose to divide the record to give listeners more time to every track, since she felt the original project would be "heavy and time-consuming."[17] She acknowledged during a 2019 interview with Clash that the concept of the album "was two different aspects of one process"; she decided to use scrapped tracks from the EP for her following album.[18]
Scrapped tracks
According to Aurora, forty songs were written for the album and she chose the ones she considered to be the "best".[19] She revealed that some of the songs "will remain unreleased for quite some time, but also a few of them will be on the album."[20] The tracks "Animal" and "The Seed" were originally written for the album but were later included in her second album A Different Kind of Human (Step 2), following the split of the record. Both songs were performed live alongside tracks from Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1).[21] In a September 2017 interview, Aurora was unsure to add "festival songs" like "Feeling", "Soft Universe" and "In Bottles" to the EP; "Soft Universe" was released as the EP's seventh track, while "In Bottles" made it onto A Different Kind of Human (Step 1).[22] Aside of the tracks performed live, snippets of some songs appeared in Once Aurora, with only two song titles ("Spotlight" and "Witches") appearing in the closing credits.[12]
Music and lyrics
Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) has been described as a pop,[23][24] electropop[25] and art pop record[26] with elements of synth-pop, chamber pop,[27] folk, experimental pop,[25] and futurepop.[28] Aurora described her musical direction as "still so fun" because of her involvement in the production, stating "I now know more about myself."[29] The EP's sound incorporates folktronica soundscapes, vocal harmonizations, expansive reverb, layered synthesizers and tribal percussion.[30][31][32] Its production was characterized as contained and deliberate in comparison to the intense sound of All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend.[32]
Aurora called Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) a "power album", with the desire "to [make] people feel powerful, to feel like they have this extra support."[10] Its lyrical themes as domestic abuse, global warming, connection versus connectivity, fear of intimacy and empowerment, written with personal and affecting lyrics.[30][24] She commented that the meanings of the songs "depends on the way that people listen to it", wanting to leave them open to interpretation.[33] While maintaining some of the themes and stories of her previous album, the EP marks the first time that Aurora has included themes of politics and sexuality in her music.[34] Most of her inspiration for the record came from the interaction that she had with her fans during her first tour.[14] The EP's title comes from the eighth track, which Aurora declared as "the most important song I've ever written".[15]
Release and promotion
![](../I/Aurora_Stavernfestivalen_2018_(191706)_(cropped).jpg.webp)
Aurora initially wanted to release new music in November 2016, however, she noted that it was not possible due to her touring schedule in promotion of her debut album.[35] In September of that year, she teased a possible release date in November 2017.[36] Aurora stated in March 2018 that the EP was expected to be released in the fourth quarter of 2018, without giving an exact date.[37] A trailer titled "Our Queendom Come" was released on 5 April 2017, which led fans to speculate the name as the record's title.[38][39] Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) was released to digital music platforms on 28 September 2018 as a surprise release.[40] A sequel, which was revealed to be titled A Different Kind of Human (Step 2), followed on 7 June 2019. CDs and LPs were released on 1 November 2019, a year after the record's digital release.[41][42]
The same day of Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1)'s digital release, several magazines like Clash, The Line of Best Fit and NME interviewed Aurora about various topics, including her fame, her home, climate change, the concept behind the EP and its upcoming follow-up.[43][44][2] She appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers, where she performed "Queendom". The EP received further promotion from her third headlining concert tour, which started on 10 October 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom and ended on 28 May 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico.[39][45]
Singles
"Queendom" was released as the EP's lead single on 16 April 2018, premiering on Zane Lowe's Apple Beats 1.[46][11] The music video for "Queendom" saw its release on 2 May 2018, and it included a message to her LGBT fans; such message was portrayed by Aurora herself kissing one of her female dancers, during what was described as a "big kissing party" that shows that "every type of love is accepted and embraced" in the singer's "queendom".[47] The clip was nomitated for Music Video of the Year at the Spellemannprisen '17, eventually losing to Hkeem's "Ghettoparasitt".[48]
The song "Animal" was originally expected to be released as the second single from Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1), however it was later released as A Different Kind of Human (Step 2)'s lead single in January 2019.[49] The EP's second single, "Forgotten Love", followed on 17 August 2017.[50] A video was filmed but it was never released. However, some snippets of it appeared in a short documentary about Bergen's musical scene where Aurora was interviewed.[51]
Reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
A Bit of Pop Music | Positive[25] |
Immortal Reviews | 94/100[52] |
The Line of Best Fit | 9/10[31] |
Mojo | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mystic Sons | 8/10[28] |
Q | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Radio UTD | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Critical reception
Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) was met with acclaim from music critics.[54] Jack Bray of The Line of Best Fit praised the dynamism and flexibility of Aurora's vocals and her involvement in the production of the EP, remarking that she "never loses any instrument or voice in spite of the minutiae of her producing choices, as a result, a tangible sense of her personality comes through."[31] A writer of the blog A Bit of Pop Music shared similar thoughts in regards to its songwriting and production, commending the track "All Is Soft Inside" as her "most accomplished work to date."[25] Writing for Mystic Sons, Chris Bound agreed that "this new half-album still manages to pack one hell of a punch throughout as the frontwoman seems to take on the guise of an unstoppable juggernaut."[28] In a less favourable review, Kieron Tyler writing for Mojo commented that the record lacked musical focus, lamenting that "Aurora herself is mostly buried in the album."[24] Radio UTD's Zachary Royal suggested that she "matured quite quickly and is now more comfortable in her element."[32]
Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
A Bit of Pop Music | The 20 Best Pop Albums of 2018 | — | [55] |
CJLO | Best of 2018 Top Pop Albums | 9 | [56] |
Indie88 | The Most Overlooked Albums of 2018 | — | [57] |
Immortal Reviews | Immortal Reviews' Top 50 Albums Of 2018 | 8 | [58] |
The Line of Best Fit | The Best Albums of 2018 | 41 | [23] |
Phil Marriott | Top 10 Albums of 2018 | — | [59] |
Commercial performance
Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) debuted at number seven on the Norwegian VG-lista chart, becoming her first EP to impact a record chart. The following week, the EP dropped to number 20 before exiting the chart.[60] Elsewhere in Europe, the EP peaked at number 191 in the Netherlands.[61] On 1 November 2020, Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) was certified platinum by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry for exceeding shipments of 20,000 units in Norway.[62]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Queendom" |
| 3:27 | |
2. | "Forgotten Love" |
|
| 3:28 |
3. | "Gentle Earthquakes" |
|
| 3:47 |
4. | "All Is Soft Inside" |
|
| 5:09 |
5. | "It Happened Quiet" |
|
| 4:09 |
6. | "Churchyard" |
| 3:46 | |
7. | "Soft Universe" |
| 4:00 | |
8. | "Infections of a Different Kind" | Aksnes |
| 5:27 |
Total length: | 33:13 |
Notes
- ^[a] signifies an additional producer.
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[63]
Musicians
- Aurora Aksnes – vocals (all tracks), additional vocals (1, 7), drums, keyboards (2, 3, 5, 6); percussion (1, 3, 5, 6, 7), programming (2, 3, 5, 7, 8)
- Magnus Skylstad – drums, drum programming, cello, additional keyboards, percussion (1, 7); programming (1, 2, 7)
- Couros Sheibani – drums, drum programming, percussion, synthesizer, programming (1, 7)
- James Jacob – drums, drum programming, percussion, synthesizer, programming (1, 7)
- Mathias Wang – cymbal (1)
- Askjell – keyboards, programming (2–5, 8)
- Roy Kerr – keyboards, programming (2–5, 8)
- Tim Bran – keyboards, programming (2–5, 8)
- Ellen Holmås – cello (5, 6)
- Karoline Brevik – cello (5, 6)
- Marit Aspås – cello (5, 6)
- Torleif Holm – cello (5, 6)
- Ruth Potter – harp (5, 6)
- Knut Anders Vestad – strings (5, 6)
- Therese Kinzler Eriksen – strings (5, 6)
- Oslo Fagottkor – choir (6)
Technical
- Aurora – production (6), additional production (1, 7)
- Askjell – production (2, 3, 8), additional production (4)
- MyRiot – production (2–5, 8)
- Couros – production (1, 7)
- Jakwob – production (1, 7)
- Electric – production (6)
- Magnus Skylstad – additional production (1, 2, 5, 7), mixing, engineering (all tracks)
- Javed Kurd – vocal production (6)
- Steinar Svendsen – vocal production (6)
- Mark Bishop – engineering (1)
- Daniel Cayote – engineering (2, 3, 5, 8)
- Hervé Le Guil – engineering (2, 3, 5, 8)
- Jo Ranheim – engineering (6)
- Peer Espen Ursfjord – engineering (6)
- Morgane Mayollet – engineering assistance (2, 3, 5, 8)
- Chris Sansom – mastering (1–6, 8)
- Alex Wharton – mastering (7)
Charts
Chart (2018–2022) | Peak position |
---|---|
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[61] | 191 |
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[60] | 7 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[64] | 80 |
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[65] | 45 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Norway (IFPI Norway)[62] | Platinum | 20,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 28 September 2018 | [40] | ||
1 November 2019 |
|
[41][42] | ||
Norway | 22 November 2019 | LP | Petroleum | [66] |
References
- "Aurora: A Different Kind of Human: Step II review – idiosyncratic singer's dark electro-pop". The Guardian. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- "AURORA tells us about her surprise 'empowering' new album 'Infections Of A Different Kind – Step 1'". NME. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- Thomas, Russell (14 December 2015). "AURORA announces debut album, All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend". The 405. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- Trendell, Andrew (25 July 2016). "Aurora: 'I'm not an angel'". Gigwise. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "AURORA Full Facebook Live Stream (October 14, 2016)". 5 April 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2022 – via YouTube.
- "Album in the making day #1 photo by @knutaaserud". Aurora-Daily. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- "AURORA adelanta su disco con 'Queendom', que busca sea "un lugar para todos nosotros"". Jenesaispop (in Spanish). 17 April 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
- "Aurora fez um show místico e cheio de amor no Lollapalooza 2018". Capricho (in Portuguese). 26 March 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
- Atkinson, Jessie (1 October 2018). "Aurora: "It about becoming a warrior for the people who are still working on themselves"". Dork. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- Smyth, David (4 May 2018). "Aurora interview: I want to fight for everything that can't fight for itself". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
- Riddell, Rose (17 April 2018). "Must-listen: Aurora's new single 'Queendom'". Coup de Main.
- Benjamin Langeland (director), Stian Servoss (director) (2018). Once Aurora. Flimmer Film. Retrieved 13 June 2022 – via Vimeo.
- "My second album is done.🌊🌿🌚". Aurora-Daily. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- Wass, Mike (17 April 2018). "Coachella 2018: AURORA Talks "Queendom" & Her Sophomore LP". Idolator. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
- "An Interview with Aurora". Live in Limbo. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- AURORA - INTERVIEW #151/1). du SON dans mon SALON. 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2019 – via YouTube.
My new EP is the first half of a whole album, the first part of a whole adventure.
- Nilsen, Alyssa. "AURORA: 'Music is the one language we can all understand'". Scan. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- Higgins, Lisa (4 July 2019). "Like A Bird In The Night: Clash Meets Aurora". Clash. Archived from the original on 4 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- McDermott, Emily (18 September 2018). "Norwegian Pop Star Aurora Sings in Her Own Language". L'Officiel. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- Dziawura, Connor (14 March 2018). "Better Than Ever: Aurora finds magic in her 'grown up' new songs". The Entertainer! Magazine. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- Graves, Shahlin (28 February 2018). "Aurora teases Album #2 'Queendom'?". Coup de Main. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- Dias, Bruno (7 September 2017). "Aurora sobre tour no Brasil: "Vou testar canções mais intimistas"". Capricho (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "The Best Albums of 2018". The Line of Best Fit. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- Tyler, Kieron (November 2018). "Aurora – Infections of a Different Kind - Step 1". Mojo. No. 300. ASIN B07J1VNFL5.
- Michelvmusic (1 October 2018). "Album Review: AURORA – Infections of a Different Kind – Step 1". A Bit of Pop Music. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- Bray, Elisa (6 June 2019). "Album reviews: Aurora – A Different Kind of Human, and Perry Farrell – Kind Heaven". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
- "Aurora - Infections of A Different Kind - Step 1". Sputnikmusic. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- Bound, Chris (2 October 2018). "AURORA – Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1)". Mystic Sons. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- Kennedy, Sean (25 July 2018). "In Conversation with... AURORA". No Party No Disco. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- Cairns, Dan (12 August 2018). "Aurora Aksnes interview: the singer on wildness and whimsy". The Times. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- Bray, Jack (7 June 2019). "Aurora sounds more positive and adventurous than ever on album two". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- Bray, Jack (7 June 2019). "AURORA – Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1)". Radio UTD. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- Trendell, Andrew (4 May 2018). "AURORA drops video for 'Queendom' and tells us about her fans, meeting Katy Perry and empowerment". NME. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- AURORA On The Themes Of "Queendom Come", Performance Anxiety And Teasing Her Upcoming Album. BUILD LDN. Retrieved 6 September 2018 – via YouTube.
- "In Conversation: Aurora". Clash. 17 August 2016. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- Bourgetel, Alina (18 October 2016). "AURORA synes musikkbransjen er vakker og forferdelig". Erlik.no. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- "Interview AURORA par Aurora France - #AskAuroraFR". YouTube. Aurora France. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
- "our Queendom Come...🐲". 5 April 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2022 – via YouTube.
- Trendell, Andrew (10 April 2018). "Aurora teases new album and announces UK and European tour". NME. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- Digital releases:
- "Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) by AURORA on Apple Music". Apple Music. United States. 28 September 2018. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- "Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) by AURORA on Apple Music". Apple Music. United Kingdom. 28 September 2018. Archived from the original on 13 July 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- "Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) by AURORA on Apple Music". Apple Music. Norway. 28 September 2018. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- "Infections of a Different Kind CD". AURORA Official Store. 1 November 2018. Archived from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- "Infections of a Different Kind LP". HMV. Japan. 1 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- Loftin, Steven (28 September 2018). "Forgotten Love: The Return Of Aurora". Clash. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
- Amour, Cheri (28 September 2018). "Mother Earth's Warrior". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- Ward, Sean (25 January 2019). "AURORA delights with racing, primal pop on new single 'Animal'". The 405. Archived from the original on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- "Queendom - Single by AURORA". iTunes Store. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
- "Enter norwegian dreamer aurora's queendom in her intimate new music video". i-d. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
- "Vinnere Spellemannprisen 2018". Musikknyheter.no (in Norwegian). 31 May 2019. Archived from the original on 8 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
- "Aurora - Animal". BuddeMusic. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- "Forgotten Love – Single by AURORA". iTunes Store. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
- "Dossier métropole: Bergen". Arte. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- "AURORA Returns With Dynamic, Ethereal "Infections Of A Different Kind (Step I)"". Immortal Reviews. 7 October 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- "Aurora – Infections of a Different Kind - Step 1". Q. No. 391. November 2018. ASIN B07J14B5M3.
- Ward, Sean (9 April 2019). "AURORA's anthemic scandi-pop single 'The Seed' finds its grounding, bears fruit that stirs". The 405. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- Michelvmusic (28 December 2018). "The 20 Best Pop Albums of 2018". A Bit of Pop Music. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- "CJLO Best of 2018". CJLO. 22 December 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- "The Most Overlooked Albums of 2018". Indie88. 22 December 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- "Immortal Reviews' Top 50 Albums of 2018". Immortal Reviews. 28 December 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- "The 10 Best Albums of 2018". PhilMarriott.net. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- "Infections Of A Different Kind Step 1". VG-lista. Verdens Gang. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – Aurora %5BNO%5D – Infections Of A Different Kind - Step 1" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- "Norwegian album certifications – Aurora – Infections of a Different Kind - Step I" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- "Credits for Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) by Aurora". Retrieved 24 February 2023 – via Tidal.
- "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- "Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1)". CD and LP. 22 November 2019. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
External links
- Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) at Discogs (list of releases)