SPOTLIGHT: IVAN4SURE

Meet Ivan4Sure and tune into his new single “Aura Glow”

Aura Glow feels both euphoric and melancholic. Can you tell us about the emotional space that inspired it?

The song was originally written on heavily jazz-inspired chords back in January, but once I opened Logic, it turned into this raw, vulnerable piece. I was listening to a lot of Blood Orange, Imogen Heap, and the new Lorde album, which shaped my narrative somewhere between fact and fiction.

What does the title “Aura Glow” mean to you personally, and how does it connect to the feeling of the track?

Fair enough, “Aura Glow” isn’t mentioned anywhere in the lyrics. The song went through two or three different titles before one day, while sitting in class, the phrase just entered my body. For me, it represents finding peace, love, and balance after everything the lyrics describe, a kind of personal healing.

The song feels cinematic yet intimate. Were there any specific visual images, films, or moments that influenced its atmosphere?

Being an artist-hybrid makes you think in multiple dimensions. The second verse captures places where I feel most inspired: Berlin, East London, Amsterdam, and how I wanted to share those worlds with someone.

You produced and mixed the track yourself. What was your approach to crafting its sound world? Any techniques or moments you’re particularly proud of?

My favourite part of the process was the sound design. Most of the elements were sampled and reshaped from Logic’s Sound Library, but you wouldn’t recognize them thanks to the magic of SoundToys plugins. I also discovered EQ automation with help from Luca Millozzi, which added a cinematic lift to certain moments.

How did working again with mastering engineer Maria Triana help shape the final energy of Aura Glow?

Maria’s mastering has this rare quality, it’s not just professional, it has soul. That’s why I wanted her on this EP. You can really hear that depth and warmth in the final mix.

Looking back, how does “Deep Inside You” differ from “Aura Glow” in mood and intention?

They’re very different tracks. Deep Inside You came together almost instantly: writing and production happened in a few sessions. It’s a sad song dressed in a sexy, electronic coat, whereas Aura Glow exposes My imperfections more openly, wrapped in something ethereal. The goal with these first releases was to open up both the sonic and emotional world that the EP holds.

On the Upcoming EP, ‘Dating in London is Impossible’ The title alone is striking, how did “Dating in London is Impossible” come to life, and what story are you trying to tell through it?

The title came during a time when I didn’t have the resources to create what I do now. The EP isn’t only about romance, it’s about how London shaped me in my early twenties, and the highs and lows that come with that experience.

As a producer and songwriter, how do you balance raw vulnerability with sonic experimentation across the EP?

Some of the songs started on piano, others were born from samples I stumbled upon. Once I found the right sound, the lyrics would flow almost instantly. That spontaneity was the fun part of creating this release alone.

Are there recurring symbols or feelings that connect the tracks like a thread running through the project?

There’s definitely a variety, from alt-R&B to UK garage to electronica, even touches of hyperpop. But they all tell parts of the same story. The EP might be short, with interludes and intros, but it builds toward a deluxe version next year that will close this chapter before I move into a new one.

What role does the city of London itself play in your music? is it a backdrop, a metaphor, or almost a character in the story?

London’s the open world in the project. It’s so international, so me: you can meet anyone, anywhere, in no time. I wanted to honour the version of myself I used to be: the blonde guy with a dream and a mullet, trying to study fashion at Goldsmiths, before I went fully into music production in Amsterdam. This EP is my open diary, especially for the people who’ve been through hell in East London.

Listen to “Aura Glow” here.