The lyrics for "Awake" were adapted from "The Rubaiyat" of Omar Khayyám. Although in the liner notes the lyrics are credited to Geoff Downes and John Payne, it is believed that they have been written mainly or solely by Payne. "Ready to Go Home" was originally recorded by Andrew Gold and Graham Gouldman of 10cc and appeared on the 1995 album Mirror Mirror. The lyrics for "The Longest Night" were inspired by Wilfred Owen's poem of 1918.

Aura was issued by Recognition Records in two versions: regular jewel-case edition (CDREC501) and special Digi-Pack edition (CDRECX501). The latter included three extra tracks. Released in 2007 by Acadia, label of Evangeline Records, version of the album contains bonus CD featuring Steve Howe acoustic guitar solo, recorded live at Chestnut Cabaret in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 21 November 1992 during US Aqua tour.

In the American edition, the track "Ready to Go Home" is listed as "Ready to Come Home". Guitar on "You're the Stranger" is of Guthrie Govan but in the Japanese edition incorrectly credited to Pat Thrall.

The sound of Aura can be described as radio-ready but the album failed to chart in the US and didn't perform well in Britain, reaching only No. 160. This may have been partly due to the label that went broke within a year of the album release.

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