Icelandic-Filipino folk singer-songwriter Yaelokre released their latest EP Origins on October 23 under Atlantic Records, marking their second project since 2024’s Hayfields, which featured the breakout single “Harpy Hare.” The new release continues Yaelokre’s worldbuilding through the fictional land of Meadowlark, where four masked children — Cole, Clémente, Peregrine, and Kingsley — form a musical group known as The Lark.
The EP serves as a prologue to the mythology behind these characters, each representing aspects of nature, wonder, and chaos through song. Yaelokre’s storytelling blends fantasy and grounded emotion, with lyrics that explore identity and purpose while highlighting intricate folk instrumentation. Each track introduces listeners to a different member of The Lark, capturing the distinct sound and story that shape their world.
Beyond the concept, Origins cements Yaelokre’s growing reputation for immersive worldbuilding, which has gained a global following. Their ability to merge vivid narratives with melodic and technically precise folk arrangements has earned them comparisons to artists like Aurora and Sufjan Stevens.
Since debuting in early 2024, Yaelokre has performed across multiple continents, headlining their own show in December 2024 at Kowloon House’s Dining Hall in Quezon City. In January, they opened Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora’s show at New Frontier Theater. Origins is another milestone for an artist proving that Filipino creativity can thrive well beyond its borders.
