Three years after releasing her alt-pop debut, Austrian songwriter OSKA returns today to announce that her sophomore album, Refined Believer, will arrive over the summer. Despite the exciting news, the single she’s sharing alongside the reveal is a subdued affair, matching the introspection of the singles she’s dropped over the past few months (“Forever Blue,” “April, May, July,” and “Like a Song”—all of which will appear on the upcoming LP). “It’s one of the key tracks on Refined Believer,” she shares of “With Love, Your Clementine,” a somber yet not entirely hopeless baroque-pop reflection on a past relationship. “The album as a whole delves into the emotional aftermath of painful relationships, both romantic and platonic, and the disillusionment with the world.”
Further detailing the single OSKA continues, noting that the track “is a reflection on navigating life’s uncertainties, particularly the internal struggle of needing space to heal from past experiences. The song explores a complicated relationship where someone is showing you love and care, but you’re not yet ready to reciprocate. The phrases ‘have no fear’ and ‘just hold on’ are not only comforting words from my childhood—messages my parents used to say—but also loving words of encouragement from this person. Despite the emotional distance, they continue to meet you with love even after you tell them you’re not ready to love them back. In the end, despite the pain of feeling like you’ve failed them, they still send you a message of love: ‘You’re my greatest failure. With love, your Clementine.’”
The single comes with a wistful lyric video, which you can check out below. Refined Believer drops June 20 via Nettwerk, and you can pre-order it here.
