Album Review - AURA'S INNOVATIONS

Swedish prog rockers AURA are back with their ninth album INNOVATIONS and it is a record that refuses to play it safe. The band have always chased big themes but here they take it even further, pulling together politics, history, technology and personal stories into one sweeping project.

The opener Generation Z sets the tone straight away with pounding riffs that suddenly flip into a rave inspired groove. Nova is one of the most striking songs, whereas the title track Innovations offers a brighter vision, imagining a future shaped by creativity and artificial intelligence. Then there is One Trick Pony which takes a playful swing at performative protest culture back home in Sweden.

Even though each track has its own voice, the album works best as a full listen. There are loud guitars, cinematic keyboards, electronic touches and plenty of unexpected twists. Some moments are raw and serious while others lean into humor, but the balance keeps the record moving.

AURA wear their influences proudly, with shades of The Beatles and Pink Floyd all over the arrangements, yet they are never stuck in the past. Their sound feels alive and restless, full of curiosity about the world as it is right now. INNOVATIONS is an ambitious record, but it never loses its sense of fun, and that might be why it works so well.