21-Year-Old Slovakian Artist Karin Ann Announces Debut Album
through the telescope, out May 10th, Explores Love, Identity & Mental Health
Listen to “false gold” here: https://pias.ffm.to/mayvnvr
Pre-save through the telescope here: https://pias.ffm.to/throughthetelescope
New York, NY - March 22, 2024 - At just 21 years old, Slovakian musician Karin Ann is poised to make a big entrance onto the global music stage with her debut album, through the telescope, out May 10th. The rising star demonstrates a remarkable command of various musical styles and a fearless approach to tackling complex themes of love, identity and mental health. Produced in collaboration with Benjamin Lazar Davis and Will Graefe of Okkervil River, through the telescopeshowcases Karin Ann's versatility as she segues from folk and buzzy rock to gothic disco and a wide range of musical inspirations including Mazzy Star, Stevie Nicks and Hozier.
The second single off the debut album, “false gold" resonates as a powerful reflection on regretful relationships and defiant self-discovery, and offers a taste of Karin Ann's sonic exploration and introspective lyricism.
my pride is on the floor
i can’t stop screaming your name
took a bullet for you without a second thought
now i look back and watch you take the shot
Listen to “false gold” here: https://pias.ffm.to/mayvnvr
Pre-save through the telescope here: https://pias.ffm.to/throughthetelescope
"I've always believed in the power of music to connect people, so while through the telescope dives into the depths of my emotions and experiences, I don't like to dissect my songs too much. Instead, I craft them with the aim that each listener finds their own unique connection and meaning. Collaborating with Benjamin and Will on this record was a game-changer for me – our energies just clicked – and we've created something I'm truly proud of." — Karin Ann
Karin Ann's music delves into themes of gender equality, mental health, and human rights, exploring the inner struggles of youth, including topics like young love, toxic relationships, and insecurities. She also touches on her experience growing up as a queer woman in Slovakia. Initially drawn to the arts as a coping mechanism for her ADHD, Karin pursued art and graphic design until a hand injury forced her to withdraw from art school. Inspired by Grace VanderWaal, she found solace in songwriting on her ukulele, expressing her struggles through the haunting melody of "neverland." The title references the death of author JM Barrie’s brother Peter, inspiring Karin's song grieving the loss of her identity at the time, exhibiting remarkable compassion for her teenage self at an emotional nadir.
The song "pile of bones" captures a melancholic folk essence with Karin's poetic portrayal of decomposing bodies, reminiscent of Frightened Rabbit's desolate poetry, while the album seamlessly transitions from the snarling gothic disco-rock of "she" to the rhythmic arpeggios of "olivia" and the acoustic reflection of "memories of you," showcasing Karin Ann's versatility and range. This leads into the album’s lead single "i don’t believe in God," a reflection on modern spiritual crises, stemming from Karin's experience as a queer woman in a conservative, Christian society, where despite abandoning formal religion, she still seeks spiritual reassurance in challenging times.
Karin Ann just made her SXSW debut this month with showcases at The Color Agent and Budapest Showcase Hub. She also made her NY Fashion Week debut in February with showcases at César Galindo and Frederick Anderson. She will play a series of SoFar Sounds shows in select U.S. cities this Spring.
In February, Karin Ann shared “she,” the first track from through the telescope, which received praise from NME, The Line of Best Fit, and earned a spot on Ones to Watch’s #nowwatching playlist. Last fall, Karin Ann released a two-part video series in collaboration with American director duo Tusk, featuring Ashley Moore and Gus Kenworthy. Part 1, aligned with Karin Ann's single "a stranger with my face," while Part 2 was paired with her single "favorite star." The music and visuals together trace a clear path, illustrating the struggle and progression of young queer individuals as they navigate self-discovery, acceptance, and sharing their identities with the world. The video for "a stranger with my face" was recognized at several film festivals, winning the Best Music Video award at the 2023 New York Tri-State Film Festival and The Top Shorts Film Festival. It also received an Honorable Mention at the Los Angeles Film Awards and was chosen for the Short Film category at the 2023 Los Angeles City Of Angels Women's Film Festival. Additionally, it was named a semifinalist at the Cannes Indie Shorts Awards.
Karin Ann has made a mark in the alt-pop scene since starting her musical journey at age 14, with Noctis Mag describing her as having the unique ability to craft “a lyrically cinematic experience.” Recognized as the "Discovery of the Year" at the Czech Republic Music Awards, Karin Ann has also been featured on a Times Square billboard as part of Spotify’s EQUAL Music Program and in 2021, she won Best Music Video at the Munich Music Awards. She has played shows with LP (Laura Pergolizzi), Imagine Dragons, Alfie Templeman, and My Chemical Romance, garnered support from BBC Radio 1 (UK) and has been featured in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Bild, and Elle. With a social reach of 180K+ followers, including Instagram, Spotify and YouTube, her influence continues to grow.
through the telescope tracklist:
- once a man
- pile of bones
- false gold
- the band keeps playing
- last few minutes
- for you
- neverland
- a song for the moon
- she
- olivia
- memories of you
- i don't believe in God
- beautiful life
- my best work of art