What is ‘Akureyri’ and Where Is it: Aitana & Sebastián Yatra’s New Song
It's not just a random word: it's the name of a city in Iceland
It’s finally happening! After seven months of keeping us in suspense, Aitana is making a big comeback with «Akureyri,» her highly anticipated return to the music scene. But that’s not all: she’s teamed up with her partner (or maybe ex?) to release this new song. «Akureyri,» the title of her latest track, is a collaboration with Sebastián Yatra. This isn’t the first time they’ve worked together; it’s actually their third song, following «Corazón Sin Vida» and «Las Dudas.» The chemistry between these two has been clear for a while now.
But what exactly is ‘Akureyri’? Well, it’s not just a random word—it’s the name of a city in Iceland. It’s a small town with about 19,000 people, located in the northern part of the country. And fun fact: it’s a popular tourist destination, with visitors going there every year to explore the area.
Moreover, many tourists head to the city to engage in various activities offered in the area, such as whale watching, catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights, and exploring the nearby waterfalls. There’s plenty to do when you’re in that region.
What Does This City Mean to Aitana?
Although she didn’t directly mention Akureyri, a few days ago, before teasing a part of the song, she wrote about the significance of Iceland to her: “Iceland remains in my memories as the place where I enjoyed and learned the most with my family. I knew I would come back, and I feel like I will return more; it’s beautiful to turn 24 here.”
In fact, back in June 2023, Aitana went back to the city with Sebastián Yatra to celebrate her birthday. It was her first time celebrating with 24 hours of daylight because during the summer there’s hardly any night in that part of the world. And when it came to shooting the music video, the couple returned to Akureyri. This time, they got to experience what the city is like during the winter season, despite the chilly temperatures.
The Akureyri Album Cover: What’s the Story Behind It?
Aitana and Sebastián Yatra might be giving a nod to a popular romantic movie from the early 2000s. In the cover picture, both artists are lying in the snow, seen from above, and close together. It reminds us of the poster for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind from 2004. This movie, starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, has also been referenced by Ariana Grande in her music video for «We Can’t Be Friends.»
It seems like it’s not a coincidence that they wanted to reference this 2004 movie. In the film, the main characters decide to erase their memories of each other after their breakup. But, as fate would have it, they end up crossing paths again.
Aitana and Yatra were together from late 2022 to November 2023, and now they’ve been seen holding hands again in Madrid this March, sparking rumors of a reunion. Have they forgotten what caused their split?