AURORA

The band might not actually exist, but *AURORA* is a very real ’70s-inspired classic-rock record. This soundtrack to the television adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s 2019 best-selling novel features original songs performed by the show\'s titular band (which includes Elvis Presley’s granddaughter and Lisa Marie Presley’s daughter Riley Keough). Blake Mills recruited contemporary artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Marcus Mumford, and actual ’70s California-rock icon Jackson Browne to craft the songs, stacked with vocal harmonies and choral melodies. The similarities to Fleetwood Mac are not meant to be subtle in the plot or the music—“Look at Us Now (Honeycomb)” even kicks off with a riff that recalls “The Chain.” There’s the rocking kiss-off “More Fun to Miss,” which would feel at home on the Los Angeles strip in that particular era. “The River” offers a more Laurel Canyon approach.

The soundtrack for a new Amazon Original series seeks to emulate the magic of Fleetwood Mac. More often than not, it ends up sounding like a Broadway tribute.

Purists might be jarred by the fact that the series’ version of Daisy Jones & The Six – and Aurora – bears little resemblance to the book, but don’t let that put you off – this album captures all the magic and intensity created by Taylor Jenkins Reid.