8/10

When Aurora released her sophomore album 'Infections Of A Different Kind (Step 1)' as a surprise last September, it was almost too good to be true. The proficient and experimental frontwoman delivered one of the best electro-pop albums of the year, and its flippant release seemed to treat it as just another throwaway collection. And while we knew that album was only one half of the saga, we have eagerly awaited the return of the Norwegian to complete her latest collection, and so here we are with 'A Different Kind Of Human (Step 2)', a record that has truly brought out the best in her.

Much like her last full-length, 'A Different Kind Of Human (Step 2)' likes to tread that comfortable bridge between soaring and ethereal electronics with a hard and purposeful production. From the very start, Aurora makes her intentions known with the double punch of lead singles 'The River' and 'Animal', setting the tone of what we can expect from here on in. From there it is a display in masterclass songwriting and production as the singer swoons and serenades her way through a rich and luxurious tapestry of pulsing electronics and adventurous instrumentation to deliver a release that may in fact supersede her last.

It is hard to imagine another artist that is improving sonically as much as Aurora is. With each release, she grows more confident and reassured in her sound, allowing her to share a bold and brilliant new set of ideas that conjure up yet more wonder than we have heard before. An incredible return from a woman that just never seems to slow down.