Austrian singer-songwriter Oskar Haag expands his intimate songwriting into a richer, more assured sound on his North American debut album, Lost Cause.
Austrian musician, actor and dancer Oskar Haag releases his new album Lost Cause today, September 25, through Lullaby Records, marking the 20-year-old artist’s North American debut.
Following his 2023 debut Teenage Lullabies, the new record finds Haag approaching familiar themes of vulnerability, love and uncertainty with a broader musical palette. Produced alongside longtime creative partner Lukas Klement, Lost Cause pairs Haag’s intimate songwriting with warm, organic arrangements across a collection that searches for hope without ignoring the uncertainty surrounding it.
The album arrives after a steady run of singles throughout 2026, including “Surf Song,” “Drop Out” and the title track. Opening song “Leaving Town Tonight” establishes the record’s balance of fragility and confidence, reflecting a songwriter entering adulthood while holding onto the direct emotional quality of his earlier work.
One of the album’s most distinctive moments comes near its conclusion with “Der Kuss.” Haag was inspired to write the song after encountering Gustav Klimt’s famous painting The Kiss at age 18, with the initial melody coming to him while he was still in the gallery. The resulting track uses the painting as a starting point for a meditation on love, beauty and human connection.
Haag first attracted national attention in Austria at 16, before he had officially released any music. His career has since expanded beyond recording, including appearances in Shakespeare productions at Vienna’s Burgtheater and a starring role in the 2024 film Mit einem Tiger schlafen. His next feature film, Mila/Marija, is also set to premiere this fall.
Following a run of European festival appearances, Haag begins a two-month European tour alongside the release of Lost Cause, with dates running through December 11. Plans for his first North American performances are set for 2027.