Viennese indie-pop sensation OSKA has delivered her highly anticipated second album, 'Refined Believer', a captivating collection produced by the renowned David Kosten, known for his work with artists like Bat for Lashes and Marina Diamandis. This record invites listeners into a deeply personal exploration of trust, the quiet path of self-discovery, and the profound strength found in resilience, all woven through OSKA’s signature whispery soprano and profoundly poetic lyrics.
Following a remarkable period that saw her make a striking debut at SXSW, open for music giants Coldplay and Maggie Rogers in her hometown, and accumulate over 20 million streams, OSKA's star has been steadily rising. Accolades have poured in, with publications praising her "special talent for bittersweet yearning poeticism," her "soul-stirring" sound, and crowning her "Vienna’s Rising Star" and a "crowd silencer." These achievements, including a 2025 Amadeus Austrian Music Award, set a high bar for 'Refined Believer', and it certainly lives up to the hype, showcasing her most intimate and expressive work yet.
The album opens with the delicate yet impactful 'The Final Straw', a track that beautifully unpacks the quiet pain of a broken heart. This segues into the shimmering, drum-machine-driven 'Like A Song', demonstrating OSKA's ability to craft a soundscape that is both deeply felt and expansive. 'April, May, July' is a wistful meditation on solitude, born from a period of isolation, while 'With Love, Your Clementine' opts for a minimalist balladry, a gentle poem on bravery and childhood reassurance.
The record celebrates deep bonds in 'Forever Blue', and 'Gloria' emerges as a mid-tempo pop gem about shedding the burden of judgment and toxic relationships. The album's poignant and aptly named closer, 'Refined Believer', acts as a soft declaration of optimism, delicately chronicling OSKA’s return to faith, trust, and emotional openness.
Born and raised in a small Lower Austrian village, OSKA honed her craft busking on Vienna's streets after moving to the city at 18 to study pop and jazz vocals. Her journey has been marked by significant milestones, including signing with Nettwerk in 2020, her critically acclaimed 2021 debut EP 'Honeymoon Phase', and multiple awards.
'Refined Believer' builds on the honest and vulnerable foundations laid by her 2022 debut, 'My World, My Love, Paris', which explored themes of family and growing up. With this new release, OSKA reaffirms her status as a compelling voice in indie-pop, offering a truly original and heartfelt body of work that resonates with quiet power.
