18 January 2019 - 0 Comments

A.U.R.A aka Albert Mikolaj introduces an ode to corporate Americana delivered in a classical folk style, with his new single, Who Decides.

Channeling the honest songwriting of Joni Mitchell, whom Mikolaj cites as a major inspiration in his work, Who Decides delivers an intricate vocal melody over delicate guitar tones with cello embellishments from project collaborator, Ben Lemi (TrinityRoots / French for Rabbits / Congress of Animals).

Albert elaborates on the thematic inspiration for the track: “Who Decides was written during a long drawn out meditation on the influence of these daily encounters with unsolicited advertising. It’s never solved anything per se, it was that question that emerged, Who decides? I love songs that don’t give resolution but philosophical pause.”

The enchanting video also releases today. Argentine director and musician, Nicolas Quiroga shot and edited the clip in Buenos Aires, Albert’s second home. It captures the preparation for a photoshoot in an abandoned hotel, The Red Awning – an important place to Albert many years ago.The old 1980’s camera used layers a feeling of simple nostalgia over the track, expertly melding music and visual tone.

Originating from Naenae in the Hutt Valley, and transformed by a life changing detour through Buenos Aires at the age of 19, A.U.R.A is the ethereal canvas for singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Albert Mikolaj. Sonically described as “lucid, melodious dream music”, A.U.R.A’s music conveys an enchanting spiritual hybrid of Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell and Jeff Buckley with aural echos of Bon Iver, Sharon Van Etten and our own Marlon Williams.

Who Decides follows previous single release G.I Wonder and is the second single from the forthcoming album Secret Intelligent Light. Produced by Ben Lemi (TrintiyRoots / French for Rabbits / Congress of Animals), the album will be released in March 2019 with L.A based label, Cosmic Dreamer. New Zealand tour dates to support the album release will be announced soon.

Who Decides is available now on Spotify, Apple Music and iTunes.

“Mikolaj’s vocal patterns are out of this world… – Impose Magazine

“One of New Zealand’s greatest hidden talents…” – Grayson Gilmour

“A lucid and melodious dream where the truth simultaneously crystallises and then melts in to a murmuration of elusive memories.”
– Ben Lemi of TrinityRoots, French for Rabbits

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