Slovakian singer-songwriter Karin Ann has always been one to write her own rules. Dubbed “Gen-Z’s new alt-pop protagonist” by critics, the rising star has already shared stages with the likes of YUNGBLUD, LP, and My Chemical Romance, while carving out a space for herself as a fearless voice in music — unafraid to tackle themes of gender equality, mental health, and queer identity. Now, she’s turning the page into a brand-new chapter with her stunning single “i was never yours,” which dropped earlier this month (August 15).
The track, co-written with Suki Waterhouse and Harrison Whitford (Phoebe Bridgers), and produced by Benjamin Lazar Davis (Maya Hawke), marks a shift into more roots-driven textures. Anchored by acoustic guitars, pedal steel, and fiddle, the song blends folk, country, and cinematic flourishes into a raw exploration of independence and self-acceptance.
But for Karin, it’s not just a heartbreak ballad. “If heartbreak is something others take away from it, I’m not gonna tell them not to, but to me this song is not about heartbreak — it’s about freedom,” she tells Celeb Secrets in an exclusive interview. “There’s so much pressure on women and female-presenting people to marry, have kids, and settle down as soon as they can, but not everyone wants that life. I never did. I used to feel like there was no other option though… so I know if I was 14 and heard this song, it would’ve made me feel like I have the option to do something different — and that it’s okay to do so.”
That deeply personal perspective is woven into every corner of the track. Karin first stumbled upon the opening verse while casually messing around on her guitar, before the studio session turned it into something undeniable. “We had a demo of the full song in half a day — the whole process just flowed,” she recalls of the collaboration with Waterhouse and Whitford.
The accompanying music video, which is also out now, leans into Karin’s love of cinematic storytelling. She describes it as a space that feels like “an old pub or dive bar that people go to to hear music and have fun in.” At its core, the visual mirrors the song’s themes of community and connection, with cheeky nods to one of Karin’s favorite stories. “There are visual nods to ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,’” she says. “I’ve loved that book since it came out, and I love the commentary it makes on the power that music and community has.”
For Karin, “i was never yours” also feels like a natural continuation of the world she built on her 2024 debut album through the telescope. “I already used some folk inspirations and elements on the album, so this is just where things naturally go from there,” she explains. “The album made me a lot more comfortable in my storytelling and gave me the confidence to pursue this direction fully.”
Of course, music has always been deeply tied to her roots. Growing up in Divinka, Slovakia, Karin was surrounded by Czech folk singers, Disney musicals, and classic theatre soundtracks. “I am a huge theatre kid, and my favorite musical in recent years has been Hadestown — that inspiration definitely bled into this song,” she admits. And while she’s quick to say she’s pretty transparent online, she laughs when asked for a Celeb Secrets “secret.” “Maybe the fact that my biggest career goal is to do musical theatre? But I think you can deduce that easily from what I’ve mentioned,” she teases.
With “i was never yours” ushering in a new era, Karin’s focus remains on creating music that resonates. “I don’t like telling people how to feel or what to take away from my songs, so whatever someone experiences is valid — but I hope they will feel a sense of freedom,” she says.
As for what’s next, Karin is keeping things close to the chest. “I like to stay private about things I’m working on because it’s more freeing and has less pressure on it, but I’m always working on things, whether it’s music or movies, so people definitely have things to look forward to!”
One thing is clear: with her fearless honesty, genre-bending sound, and knack for storytelling, Karin Ann isn’t just Gen-Z’s protagonist — she’s rewriting the script entirely. Make sure to listen to “i was never yours” below and don’t forget to let us know what you think of the track by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
You can connect with Karin by giving her a follow on Instagram and TikTok at @itskarinann.
