New Releases category interest

Slovakian indie-folk-rock songstress Karin Ann has just released her debut album, through the telescope. Alongside the release, she has shared the music video for her single “i don’t believe in God,” a song written during a pivotal moment for Karin Ann, as she emerged from a prolonged hiatus from music due to health issues. It serves as a vulnerable reflection of spiritual dilemmas, influenced by Karin's experience navigating as a queer woman in a conservative, Christian environment. Despite relinquishing formal religious beliefs, she grapples with seeking spiritual solace amidst adversity.

The video for “i don’t believe in God” features a cameo by Imogen Heap, with whom Karin Ann collaborated with on the remix for her earlier single, “false gold.” While the song touches on personal struggles, the music video delves into themes of religious persecution and societal injustice, drawing inspiration from historical events like the witch trials.

Watch video for “i don’t believe in God” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko-DAwsi83U

 

Listen to through the telescope

https://pias.ffm.to/throughthetelescope 

maybe i’ll start praying

though i don’t believe in God

maybe i’ll start screaming 

till my lungs give out

 

At just 21 years old, Karin Ann is poised to make a big entrance onto the global music stage. 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 telescope showcases 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 David Bowie. The music is directly influenced by her childhood fondness for instrumental scores and her upbringing surrounded by classical music through activities like figure skating and ballet. 

“Before I even considered making this album, I was at a breaking point where I seriously thought about giving up music due to my declining health. Benjamin, my collaborator on the album, unexpectedly entered the scene, and later came Will. The two of them sparked this whole new wave of creativity, and the album turned out even better than I imagined. This project was a labor of love, free from external pressures, allowing us to craft a narrative that reflects our shared artistic integrity. I’m so full of pride as I prepare to share this deeply personal piece of work with the world, and I’m hopeful that it resonates with listeners on a profound level.” 

-– Karin Ann

 

Karin Ann has previously shared two tracks from through the telescope: “false gold,” accompanying her album announcement in March and landing her on the cover of NME Magazine. Prior to that, In February, she released “she,” the album's lead track, gaining recognition on Grammy.com’s Global Spin series and receiving acclaim from NME, The Line of Best Fit, and securing a place on Ones to Watch’s #nowwatching playlist. 

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, leading her to explore music as a form of expression.

Karin Ann made her SXSW debut in March and was featured at the top of NME's 10 essential new acts you need to see at SXSW who refers to her new album as “stunningly lo-fi balladry.” She also made her NY Fashion Week debut in February with showcases at César Galindo and Frederick Anderson. 

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