Keath Ósk launches new solo era with album Foreword and single And The Hound

Filipino-Icelandic songwriter and multimedia creator Keath Ósk is taking a monumental leap, launching a vibrant new solo era with the debut album Foreword and the experimental single And The Hound. This move marks a significant evolution for the artist, allowing him to expand his sound and introduce his personal style to a global audience.

While Ósk is known for weaving intricate mythological themes into his music under the moniker Yaelokre—exploring fantastical worlds of masked children in Meadowlark—this new chapter pivots toward something richer, bolder, and dramatically layered. The shift moves away from traditional acoustic indie-folk toward a sound that is decidedly expansive and cinematic.

The new sonic landscape is defined by a “beguiling, desert-noir brass backdrop,” creating rich sonic environments that feel both intricate and sweeping. This transformation was achieved through collaboration with South London-based writer, producer, and composer Jack Hardman (also known as Good Dog), who helped infuse the work with elements drawn from alt-pop, hip-hop, and jazz, along with expansive use of brass instruments and woodwinds.

For the debut album Foreword, Ósk also explored classic songwriting by recording a cover of Bonnie Tyler’s iconic ’80s track, Holding Out For A Hero. This project allowed him to honor songs written during his teenage years while injecting his unique perspective and personal style into the arrangements.

“These songs were written when I was a teenager,” Ósk explained, reflecting on the creative freedom found in this new work. “Yaelokre started up quite abruptly, and I didn’t have the resources to actually accomplish the songs in the way I wanted them to be. But now I’m at a comfortable point in my life where I can have fun and input my personal style into it.”

He sees this new project as a vital step—a way to close the first chapter of Yaelokre and introduce himself, Keath Ósk, fully entering the music scene on his own terms. The resulting tracks, including the dramatic single And The Hound, serve as a perfect preview of the album’s larger ambition.

The tracklist for Foreword features ten tracks, offering a diverse mix that showcases this expanded vision:

• ‘Hartebeest‘
• ‘Harpy Hare‘
• ‘And The Hound‘
• ‘Neath The Grove Is a heart‘
• ‘My Farewells To The Fields’
• ‘Bird Bage Blue And Yellow‘
• ‘Kid & Leveret’
• ‘To Douse A Scalded Tongue‘
• ‘Kamahalan‘
• ‘Keath’s Response‘
• ‘Hearken‘
• ‘Holding Out For A Hero‘

The music is hitting the road, as Keath Ósk embarks on a world headline tour. The journey kicks off in Europe on October 7th, featuring dates across numerous major cities including Gent, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris. This European leg includes high-profile stops such as London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on October 29th.

The tour then transitions to North America, beginning November 9th in Orlando, Florida, with dates stretching through major US hubs like Atlanta and Nashville, culminating in performances across the country. The journey continues into December, bringing the music to cities like Los Angeles and Houston before wrapping up with concerts in Texas.

Keath Ósk’s world tour schedule is packed with venues from arenas to music halls, ensuring fans can experience this evolving sound live. Dates are spread across October, November, and December, spanning Europe and North America, offering an exciting itinerary for music lovers around the globe.