https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YDkrJaiCrw&list=TLPQMDQwNDIwMjFG-FJ6w0fJog&index=1
Released on May 14th 2020, Aurora’s twenty-third single ‘Exist for love’ has somehow bypassed my YouTube recommendations until now. I must admit that the title caught me off guard a little, having become accustomed to the wild, ethereal storytelling that is Aurora’s signature style. However, by breaking away from what is expected of her and embracing simplicity, Aurora seems to have captured an invaluable rawness that has become uncommon amongst popular artists of today.
The track opens with an uncomplicated guitar passage, the warm timbre setting an inviting, intimate tone for the song. Aurora’s clear, cool vocals cut through the mellow introduction with the words ‘They say there is a war between the man and the woman’. Though these words seem an ominous choice for an opening line, they are sung with such an earnest clarity that one cannot help but feel as though they are being comforted. As we are slowly drawn towards the chorus the strings slip into the mix, making for an even richer, more pleasing contrast to Aurora’s voice. Although the vocal line for the chorus is a little on the predictable side, there is no denying the sincerity of her words. Melisma is used sparingly yet effectively (something else that seems to be rare currently). This places more emphasis on the words Aurora is actually singing, rather than convoluting the meaning with extensive riffs and runs to show off her vocal ability which, in my humble opinion, is a far more admirable approach to singing as a whole. The song closes with the soft, mantra-like repetition of ‘I love you’ supported by far away backing vocals that linger until the very last moment.
‘Exist for love’ feels like a refreshingly down to earth love song, filled with genuine tenderness, something I don’t believe can be forged. Though it is not musically complicated, it is very effective in portraying emotion and proves that music does not have to be complex in order to have an impact.
