Song of the Day: Lor – Aquarius

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on The Morning Show with John Richards, is  “Aquarius” by Lor, a self-released single.

Lor – Aquarius (MP3)

Lor is that rare species of band that can captivate listeners with only a few simple acoustic elements. All still in their teens, the Kraków band's young members have been stunning audiences in Europe using just violin (Julia Błachuta), piano (Julia Skiba), and the clear, striking vocals of Jagoda Kudlińska. Paulina Sumera's clear-eyed yet pensive lyrics complement the haunting melodies. Their music has a quiet, chilly beauty that soothes the soul, but its softness is deceptive: Look out for a heavy emotional wallop.

They wowed us, and the rest of the crowd, at OFF Festival in Katowice this year, and have become a sought-after act in Poland. Now they have released “Aquarius,” the second single from their forthcoming debut album. The chamber-folk tune is livelier than their earlier songs; buoyed by a string quartet and a hint of rhythm provided by plucked strings, the mood evoked is expansive, even a bit wild. That spirit seems to have inspired the song's fairytale of a music video. Shot in a lush forest, festooned with lace and spring blooms, it's the stuff of (pagan) legend.

Watch the clip below and then check out the visual for the first album single “Keaton” to get an idea of what's in store for their highly anticipated debut. Keep up with them on Facebook and Instagram.