“I had no idea who I was”: alt-pop artist Au/Ra details debut LP heartcore

The 16-song collection follows a hero’s journey narrative, with the singer descending into her own mind to confront anxiety, identity, and isolation. Born in Ibiza to German parents, Jamie Lou Stenzel explains that the record functions as a concept album "where I open the dungeon of my mind for listeners to climb inside. I created a character to help me process the real-life trauma of my girlhood, and how I healed from putting all my self-worth into being an artist. I had no idea who I was without Au/Ra."

The LP was recorded between London and Los Angeles, with producers including Micah Jasper, King Ed, Halo Boy, and Kill Dave. Co-writers include Violet Skies, K.Flay, CYN, and Hilda Stenmalm.

Au/Ra explains that new single "KILLSWITCH" is about "a conscious decision I made at some point to make the pain and anger stop." The track follows previous singles "CRACK!", "HIGH FANTASY", and "SWAMP", each mapping a stage of the album’s wider narrative arc.

The artist first gained traction as a teenager with “Panic Room”, which has accumulated more than 300 million streams. A period of uncertainty followed that success, during which Au/Ra created heartcore as a way to survive the experience, uncertain whether the songs would ever be released.

“By the end of the album, I wanted there to be hope,” she adds. “Because despite everything that’s happened, I still believe in hope, for myself and for everyone else too.”

Au/Ra will play two shows at The Great Escape in Brighton on 14 May and 15 May, followed by headline dates in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, London and European cities through May.

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