TOMORA: The Unforeseen Union of Electronic Pioneers and Art-Pop Visionaries

When the titans of British electronic music, The Chemical Brothers, unleashed their seminal debut album, Exit Planet Dust, upon the world in 1996, a nascent star named Aurora Aksnes was just 11 days into her existence. Fast forward nearly three decades, and these seemingly disparate artistic universes have not only converged but have intrinsically intertwined, giving birth to a captivating new creative entity: TOMORA. This sonic collaboration, a fusion of Tom Rowlands – one half of the iconic duo – and the Norwegian art-pop sensation AURORA, marks a significant moment in contemporary music, demonstrating how artistic serendipity can forge profound and impactful partnerships.

Genesis of a Collaboration: From Soundtrack to Stage

The genesis of TOMORA wasn’t a meticulously planned convergence but rather a series of organic encounters that blossomed into a deep-rooted friendship and professional alliance. AURORA first encountered the sonic landscape of The Chemical Brothers through their evocative soundtrack for Joe Wright’s 2011 thriller, Hanna. The atmospheric depth and driving energy of the score resonated profoundly with the young artist, planting a seed of admiration. On the other side of this nascent connection, Tom Rowlands’ attention was captured with equal intensity when he witnessed AURORA’s electrifying performance at the 2016 Glastonbury Festival, broadcast live on television. Struck by her unique artistry and commanding stage presence, Rowlands initiated contact, reaching out to AURORA’s team.

This initial outreach proved to be the catalyst for a series of collaborative endeavors that would gradually shape their artistic synergy. The pair began contributing to each other’s individual projects, a testament to their mutual respect and creative compatibility. Notable instances include their involvement in The Chemical Brothers’ propulsive 2019 track, “Eve Of Destruction,” a song that benefited from a distinctly funky edge, and AURORA’s own introspective 2024 dark-pop offering, “My Body Is Not Mine,” which showcased a more vulnerable yet potent side of her artistry. These successful individual collaborations served as fertile ground, cultivating a shared creative language and an increasing desire to explore uncharted musical territories together.

The Birth of TOMORA: A New Creative Oxygen

The culmination of this artistic dialogue is their debut album as TOMORA, Come Closer, released on April 17th. The album represents a deliberate departure from their established solo careers, a conscious decision to create something entirely new, unburdened by the expectations and conventions associated with their individual legacies.

"It’s new oxygen into lungs," AURORA describes the transformative effect of their joint project. This sentiment is echoed by Rowlands, who elaborates on the liberating nature of their collaboration: "In our other lives, we both probably feel a certain weight of expectation or pressure to do something or be something. I wanted to make music with AURORA, because it’s been invigorating and joyful when we’ve done it before. We give [each other] permission to try things that you may shy away from in another world." This freedom to experiment, to push creative boundaries without the inherent pressures of maintaining a specific artistic identity, has become the bedrock of TOMORA.

A Legacy of Innovation Meets Emerging Brilliance

The Chemical Brothers, comprised of Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons, have carved an indelible mark on the electronic music landscape. With six Grammy Awards to their name, their discography boasts anthems such as "Do It Again," "Galvanize," and "Go." Their influence has permeated the fabric of 21st-century dance music, inspiring a diverse array of artists, from the gritty electronic explorations of French duo Justice to the radio-friendly house of Disclosure and the contemporary breakbeat stylings of Welsh duo Overmono. Their consistent innovation and ability to craft both anthemic dancefloor fillers and sonically adventurous compositions have cemented their status as pioneers.

Meanwhile, AURORA Aksnes has cultivated a devoted global following with her distinctive brand of enigmatic avant-pop. Over the course of five critically acclaimed albums, she has captivated audiences with her ethereal vocals, imaginative lyricism, and a stage presence that blends vulnerability with fierce empowerment. Her journey has seen her headline prestigious venues, including the iconic Wembley Arena, solidifying her position as a significant voice in contemporary alternative music.

Come Closer: A Harmonious Fusion of Worlds

Come Closer is the tangible embodiment of these two distinct yet complementary artistic worlds colliding. Rowlands’ mastery of high-octane dance music, characterized by pulsating beats and euphoric build-ups, is expertly interwoven with AURORA’s theatrical, larger-than-life vocal delivery and introspective lyrical depth. The album navigates a spectrum of sonic textures, from the euphoric floor-filler "Somewhere Else," designed to ignite dancefloors, to the cinematic narrative of the title track, "Come Closer," which invites listeners into a more contemplative space.

"The whole purpose is to connect unexpected people through music," AURORA declares, articulating the core ethos of the TOMORA project. This statement underscores the project’s fundamental mission: to serve as a conduit for unity, a bridge across perceived differences, and an invitation for listeners to explore common ground. In an era often marked by division and superficial interaction, TOMORA’s commitment to fostering connection through shared musical experience holds particular resonance.

Charting a New Course: The Philosophy Behind TOMORA

The decision to forge a new entity like TOMORA, rather than simply integrating their collaborations into their existing projects, speaks volumes about their desire for a fresh creative canvas. When questioned about this deliberate choice, Rowlands articulated the fundamental appeal: "It was that feeling of making music with your friend. The moment of creation, the spark of something happening – we both hunt that feeling. Together, the two of us make something we can’t make on our own."

AURORA further elaborated on the liberating aspect of this new beginning: "If we have so much fun writing in service of a thing that exists, [just imagine] experiencing that fun without any pre-decided idea." This underscores their mutual pursuit of unadulterated creative joy, free from the predetermined narratives of their established careers. Rowlands reinforced this sentiment, stating, "It’s nice to approach something with no past. TOMORA didn’t come with any future expectation, but didn’t come with any past weight." This "no past, no future expectation" approach allows for pure present-moment creation.

The official christening of their project as TOMORA also played a crucial role in shaping their creative output. AURORA recounted the moment of realization: "I remember when we knew, ‘Okay, this is a world with many multitudes, and this deserves its own name. We don’t need to gatekeep it anymore, we are ready for people to hear it if they want to.’" The track "In a Minute," she notes, felt like a product of this newly defined TOMORA world, a testament to how the formalization of the project influenced their precision within its free-flowing nature.

Friendship Beyond the Studio: Bridging Generational Divides

Despite a 26-year age gap, the bond between Rowlands and AURORA transcends conventional generational boundaries. Their friendship, nurtured over nearly a decade, is characterized by a shared sense of playfulness, an insatiable curiosity, and a mutual appreciation for life’s diverse experiences. AURORA highlights their shared spirit: "Not at all, because we are both very ageless. Equally playful, still curious and very hungry for food, experiences, wine, humour – everything. Hanging out with a cat, watching figure skating." Rowlands playfully interjected, "The Winter Olympics was big for us," further illustrating their shared leisure pursuits. AURORA summarized their connection as "the same curiosity for life and music."

This profound connection extends beyond their artistic endeavors, creating a space where they can be their authentic selves, uninhibited by external perceptions. The age difference, rather than being a barrier, has seemingly fostered a unique dynamic, allowing them to learn from each other’s perspectives and experiences.

The Imperative of Connection in a Disconnected World

Come Closer is framed by both artists as a "search for connection." While their solo careers have seen them play to massive audiences, arguably the pinnacle of connection, they sought a different, perhaps more profound, form of interpersonal understanding. AURORA explains this drive: "New things are good for people, [but] they can make people really scared. Through history, we constantly judge each other and are fearful of each other if things are different, but if you come a bit closer and see what’s truly in front of you, it becomes easy to love what you’re seeing and who or what you’re spending time with. Don’t be scared, come a bit closer. It’s strangely as political as it is emotional."

In a modern landscape increasingly dominated by individualism, the curated realities of social media influencers, and a pervasive focus on self, TOMORA aims to champion a different set of values. AURORA asserts their ambition: "Cross bridges, come closer and explore what may seem different. Music is the only place where people really gather in large groups and it’s not to protest against injustice – or in the name of hatred, which people also do – but because this is fun, human and based on love. You instantly have a common thing."

Rowlands draws a parallel to the early days of rave culture: "It really connects to my experience of early raving… when I went to Orbital raves in 1989. It’d be such a mad mix of people who you normally wouldn’t see all together. That feeling of bringing disparate people to share this same emotion at this one moment." This communal experience, he argues, fostered a sense of unity that transcended social stratification.

The Evolution of Dance Music and the Pursuit of Transcendence

Rowlands reflects on the evolution of dance music, acknowledging its expanded reach while also noting shifts in audience engagement. He avoids nostalgic pronouncements, instead observing the fluidity of trends: "Things are always in flux. I won’t be one of those people: ‘Oh, it was better however many years ago.’ Things just move around." He notes the impact of events with strict no-phone policies: "I’ve been to a few things recently with a strict no-phone policy, and it does give a different feel. People definitely feel less inhibited."

AURORA concurs, adding that this less inhibited environment leads to people feeling "less scrutinized, also. More free, not observed, which is becoming a worse and worse problem for people to grow up with now." The constant pressure of being observed and judged, particularly for younger generations, is a significant societal challenge.

Within the context of TOMORA, the duo aims to cultivate an antidote to this pervasive scrutiny. "In TOMORA, we enjoy the idea of building this safe place where people are needed, and they’re welcome, to make this identifiable environment where you can come and lose your mind, connect with your fellow human and have an intense experience together," Rowlands concludes, encapsulating the aspirational core of their collaborative project. Come Closer is not just an album; it is an invitation to reconnect, to embrace vulnerability, and to find common ground in the shared experience of music.