Platinum Heart (album)

*For other uses, see Platinum Heart (disambiguation)*.

## Singles from *Platinum Heart*

1. "Without You Now"
Released: November 7, 2014
2. "Whirlwind"
Released: November 21, 2014
3. "Italian Nights"
Released: November 28, 2014
4. "Platinum Heart"
Released: December 5, 2014
5. "Remember When"
Released: January 9, 2015
6. "Surrender"
Released: January 16, 2015
7. "Easy"
Released: January 23, 2015

***Platinum Heart*** is the debut studio album by Australian singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer Aurora. It was released on January 30, 2015, through Red Rose Records. Primarily a pop record, *Platinum Heart* also contains elements of electronic, classical, and hip hop music, while lyrically exploring themes of young love, acceptance of loss, self-empowerment, and personal growth. It was primarily independently written and produced by Aurora.

## Background and development

After completing and distributing a trio of independently written and produced demos to various major label A&Rs in mid-2013, Aurora eventually connected with Red Rose Records' A&R, Alistair Theodore "A.T." Arelle, in early 2014. After many months of development and negotiations, Aurora signed dual publishing and recording contracts with Red Rose Records on October 22, 2014, and was set to begin work on her debut studio album immediately.

During her first scheduled studio session, the creative partner Red Rose Records had assigned Aurora cancelled last minute. In a 2015 interview with *Trident*, Aurora revealed, "I won't name names, but the partner [Red Rose Records] had assigned me bailed on recording day. I was in the studio when I got the call." She continued, "I was upset, confused... I remember asking, 'How am I going to do this without you now?', then I realised." This event inadvertently inspired her debut single: "By the time my A&R 'A.T.' was notified and called to reschedule, maybe... half an hour later? I'd written and produced a rough demo of 'Without You Now'. I played it over the phone for him, he loved it and shouted, 'This is why I signed you!', and I've been writing and producing independently ever since."

Recording of *Platinum Heart* primarily took place at the Red Rose Recording Studios in Platvia. Toward the end of 2014, Aurora began a small international promotional tour in support of her forthcoming debut album, utilising her tour bus studio to write and record the 2014–2015 releases "Chloroform Kisses" through "Remember When".

## Singles and promotion

"Without You Now" was released as the lead single from *Platinum Heart* on November 7, 2014. Upon its release the single was met with generally positive reviews, and considered a promising offering from a new artist. It debuted at #5 on the Platvia HitList, receiving a rating of 7 by Platvian music critics.

"Whirlwind" was released as the second single from the album on November 21, 2014. It was favourably received, with most critics praising its carefree pop nature, memorable melodies, and catchy hook. It peaked at #2 on the Platvia HitList, and received an 8.5 rating by Platvian music critics.

"Italian Nights" was released as the album's third single on November 28, 2014. Becoming the most acclaimed single of the era, critics commended its storytelling lyricism and themes of nostalgia. It received an 8.667 rating by Platvian music critics and became Aurora's first #1 single on the Platvia HitList.

Title track "Platinum Heart" was released as the fourth single from the album on December 5, 2014. Its themes of self-empowerment received mostly positive reviews, labelling it a strong potential album opener. Receiving a rating of 8 by Platvian music critics, it debuted at #2 on the Platvia HitList.

"Remember When" was released as the album's fifth single on January 9, 2015, alongside its B-side "Guide the Way". Both tracks were met with generally negative reviews, calling them clichéd and confusing. Despite their modest #4 and #5 debuts on their respective component charts, they only received ratings of 5.25 and 5.125 by disappointed Platvian music critics, and remain Aurora's two most poorly received releases to date.

"Surrender" was released as the sixth single from the album on January 16, 2015. Heavily inspired by the underperformance of its predecessors, Platvian music critics praised the song's themes of perseverance and overcoming adversity, initially awarding it a 7.833 rating. It became Aurora's second #1 single on the Platvia HitList. Following its debut, it was re-evaluated with a rating of 8.4745, peaking at #2 on the all-time fan demanded component chart.

"Easy" was released as the album's seventh and final single on January 23, 2015. Despite comparisons to a song of the same name Aurora had co-written with a rap duo, the song's reception was favourable. It received an 8.03 rating by Platvian music critics, debuting at #1 on the hip hop component chart.

### **Promotional singles**

"The Wanderer" was released as the first promotional single from the album on December 12, 2014. It peaked at #6, receiving a rating of 7.

"Chloroform Kisses" was released as the album's second promotional single on December 19, 2014. It peaked at #5, receiving a rating of 7.333.

"Forget You Got a Girlfriend" was released as the third promotional single on December 26, 2014. It peaked at #3, receiving a rating of 7.333.

"Feels like a Dream" was released as the fourth and final promotional single on January 23, 2015. It peaked at #7, receiving a rating of 7.4.

## Aurora chronology

### ***Platinum Heart: Deluxe***

Following her split from Red Rose Records in 2020, Aurora announced the launch of her own independent label Aurora Records in 2021, and that she would be re-recording and reissuing all of her past studio albums, with each reissued album featuring bonus tracks left off their standard track list.

*Platinum Heart: Deluxe* was released on May 29, 2021. Among the deluxe edition bonus tracks are "Remember When" B-side "Guide the Way", 2015 soundtrack single "Yggdrasil" featured in a homonymous film about Norse cosmology, and the original demo version of "Easy" initially co-written with rap duo Round2 in 2014.

## Critical reception

*Platinum Heart* received generally favourable reviews from Platvian music critics, naming "Italian Nights", "Whirlwind", and "Surrender" album highlights, while criticising the inclusion of clichéd single "Remember When". The album received a combined Platacritic Platascore of 73/100.

## Commercial performance

*Platinum Heart* debuted at #1 on the Platvian Albums Chart dated February 10, 2015, where it remained at the top for a total of three weeks. The album has spent a combined total of 110 weeks on the chart.

It was ranked at #2 on the Platvian Year End Albums Chart for 2015.

## Track listing

All tracks are written and produced by Aurora Renée Jaymesson, except where noted.

* Standard edition
* Deluxe edition

**Standard edition**

**Deluxe edition**

### **Notes**

* "Easy" (Demo) was co-written with Round2.

## Packaging

Front of jewel case packaging for Aurora's album *Platinum Heart: Deluxe* (2021).Back of jewel case packaging for Aurora's album *Platinum Heart: Deluxe* (2021).