Tomora’s Come Closer Celebrates the Joy of 90s Dance Music

Before Coachella, I had never heard of Tomora. It was pure luck that I stumbled upon their set—I accidentally clicked on the wrong stream while my TV was lagging. I paused for a moment, captivated by two ethereal Nordic women pounding on massive drums to a techno beat. I made a mental note to check them out the following weekend, especially since Drain was my main focus (the Sonora stage wasn’t streaming during the second weekend). Later, I discovered that Tomora is a collaboration between Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora and Tom Rowlands, one half of the Chemical Brothers.

To say they were amazing would be an understatement. After catching their week two performance, I immediately dove into their album, *Come Closer*. While the studio version doesn’t quite capture the euphoric energy of their live show (seriously, I need to see them again), it’s still a fantastic album. It pays homage to ‘90s European dance music, blending elements of big beat, trip hop, and techno.

The album opens with haunting vocal drones, leading into the title track, where an abstract synth purr accompanies Aurora’s chant of “come closer to me.” The song gradually builds, remaining relatively unchanged until about the 1:55 mark, when Aurora unleashes a wordless cry for human connection. Then it resets, building again to a climax filled with her stunning vocal runs over Rowland’s buzzing electronic layers.

Next up is the trip hop-infused “Boy Like You,” which transitions into full rave mode with the lead single “Ring the Alarm.” The relentless melody, perfectly sidechained kick, and bass throb, combined with a standout vocal performance, make this track an instant classic. “Ring the Alarm” might already be my most played song of the year, and I’ve only had the album for two weeks.

Tracks like “My Baby” and “I Drink the Light” feel like classic Chemical Brothers tracks made for pop radio, fitting right in with hits like “Let Forever Be,” “Wide Open,” and “Setting Sun.” In contrast to their live performance, the album leans more into this style. While the songs are danceable, they rarely go over the top. Occasionally, they take on a slinky vibe, as heard in the Massive Attack-esque “The Thing,” allowing plenty of space for Aurora’s harmonies and infectious melodies.

“Somewhere Else” and “In a Minute” are the only other tracks that really hit that four-on-the-floor rave energy, but both are standout moments on the album, featuring beautiful melodies that complement the beats. I dare you not to dance to these tracks.

Tomora’s *Come Closer* is available on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Music, YouTube Music, Qobuz, Deezer, and Spotify.