Kue Varo & The Only Hopes

Like a postmodern witch in search of a lost soul mate, Kue Varo's songs tumble through dusty desert landscapes, towards the orange evening sun. Queer, on the autism spectrum and raised in a Baptist family, the singer-songwriter can sing a song or two about wanderlust, the desire to break free and emancipation. It is therefore very understandable that a certain longing pervades the ethereal sound of her debut album ‘Cowboy Witchcraft’ (2023), which lives up to its title. Gothic folk that is as cursed as it is beautiful goes hand in hand with psych-pop and smoky art rock with a southern flair. The multi-faceted, always powerful timbre of a singer of rare authenticity hovers over everything. Music beyond anaemic AI slops that will not be able to imitate this emotional sound signature in the future.