OSKA’s latest single “Gloria” is a gentle anthem of freedom, embodying an intensely personal and tender narrative of redemption and self-liberation. This stirring indie pop reverie embodies the essence of her upcoming sophomore album, ‘Refined Believer.’
Stream: “Gloria” – OSKA
In many respects, it encapsulates the core of my forthcoming album ‘Refined Believer’ – a voyage through disillusionment, resilience, and the gradual restoration of trust in human relationships.
* * *
“Now she’s singing hallelujah, hallelujah,” OSKA expresses in her new single, her delicate voice imbued with raw emotion.
It’s a gentle cry for freedom and release, symbolizing a woman stepping into her own light.
“Gloria” is achingly intimate and wonderfully soft, offering a soul-stirring tale of redemption and acceptance, celebrating one’s truth and embracing inner strength. It vividly depicts survival and self-liberation, and in many ways, reflects the heart of OSKA’s upcoming album, 'Refined Believer' – a path through disillusionment, survival, and the gradual rediscovery of trust in human connection. Through “Gloria,” OSKA emphasizes that even in our weakest moments, strength remains ready to emerge.
Refined Believer – OSKA
You encountered her in the dense woods
She was singing “Gloria”
Her voice was angelic,
and she was barely nineteen
Hallelujah
You mentioned the
mystical lunatics dwelling in your home
“Come on over, baby”
“Be the lady I’ll protect and cherish”
A beautiful girl
Transformed your life
You crafted her a ring
and captured her brown-eyed gaze
While her father was awake all night.
Atwood Magazine is excited to premiere “Gloria,” the sixth and final single from OSKA’s upcoming sophomore album, Refined Believer (releasing June 20th via Nettwerk). This remarkable culmination of the album’s themes channels sorrow, resilience, and renewal into a song that resonates both personally and universally. OSKA’s gentle vocals and vivid storytelling invite listeners to embark on a journey of liberation, standing tall, and reclaiming their identity.
Set against a warm, steady rhythm, the track tells the story of a young woman ensnared in a toxic relationship and the stifling judgment of those around her. Yet amidst the burden of expectations and shame, resilience flourishes: Gloria takes back her life, her voice, and her freedom, moving forward from her past without glancing back.
“Now everybody’s on her case, everybody’s on her case,” OSKA (aka Maria Burger) sings in the chorus, expressing the oppressive pressure of public judgment while subtly revealing the quiet determination brewing within Gloria as she prepares to break free. “Made her the main story of a small town, haven’t you heard?” she continues, painting a picture of a woman thrust into the limelight, with every action scrutinized and critiqued.
Now everybody’s on her case
Everybody’s on her case
Everybody’s on her case
Everybody’s on her case
Made her the big story of a small town
Haven’t you heard?
Haven’t you heard?
Now her name is Gloria
Doesn’t know what lies ahead
Yet even as the world closes in on her, Gloria discovers the strength to walk away, reclaiming her name, her narrative, and her future. “Haven’t you heard? Now her name is Gloria, doesn’t know what she’s in for,” OSKA highlights the tension between innocence and awareness, between the version of Gloria the world perceives and the woman she is becoming. By the time she’s “singing hallelujah, like she’s never known your name before,” Gloria has shed her burdens of judgment and heartache, fully embracing her hard-won freedom.
She placed her clothes into garbage bags
Kids waiting in the car
She drove to her parent's house
Told you she’s heading to the store
Such a beautiful girl
Escaped
Sold the ring, oh, she is quite the character
And got herself a few more.
OSKA © Ines Futterknech
It’s a potent, emotionally rich tale – one that holds a special significance for OSKA.
“This song ‘Gloria’ tells the story of a young woman entangled in a long, damaging relationship amid the harsh judgment from those around her,” the Austrian singer-songwriter elaborates. “Despite the hurdles and the burden of public perception, it transforms into a tale of resilience and self-liberation as Gloria ultimately chooses to depart, forging her own journey irrespective of others' opinions.”
“In many ways, it encapsulates the essence of my forthcoming album 'Refined Believer' –
Brighton indie band Nature TV has released their debut album 'Unlucky For Some'. Now available, it comes after two years of effort, several singles, and numerous performances.
Situated between Scotland and Norway, the Faroe Islands may be a small nation, but they are undoubtedly making their presence felt in the music scene.
Country Girl and Melody English welcome listeners into a vibrant, pastel-colored daydream with “Ring My Bell,” a heartfelt tribute to desire, connection, and the gentle, sunlit allure of spring.
London Grammar launched their fourth studio album, 'The Greatest Love,' at the end of the previous year. The band, which came together during their studies at the
If your current music selection seems a bit dull, PUNCHBAG is the ideal solution to add some excitement. This sibling duo from South London consists of
Beth Cornell of Litany shares insights into her mental health journey through her debut album ‘Sadgirl,’ a daring, unrefined, and candid “collection of depression” that turns suffering into strength and gloom into bright, catchy, and compelling pop music.
A gentle cry for freedom, OSKA’s newest single “Gloria” is a deeply personal and exquisitely tender track about redemption and self-liberation – a moving indie pop daydream that emanates subtle strength and embodies the essence of her forthcoming sophomore album, ‘Refined Believer.’