Kaisa Kuslapuu unveils her first full-length Võro-language solo album

Singer-songwriter Kaisa Kuslapuu presented her first full-length solo album, “Vaŕo,” with concerts in Võru, Tallinn and Tartu in early November, ERR reported. Created with Canadian producer and multi-instrumentalist Sam Gleason, the album blends indie and pop and explores contemporary music in the Võro language.

“While writing these songs, I was searching for my voice in Võro and for points of connection between Võro confidence and my softer side. ‘Vaŕo’ is, in a way, a reconciliation between those two sides. I also wanted to show that Võro is a living language with a place in contemporary pop music,” Kuslapuu said.

For Kuslapuu, making music in Võro is also a conscious cultural and political choice. She wants the music to be seen as more than folk or niche music intended only for Võro speakers.

Kuslapuu wrote the album’s songs. Alongside her own lyrics, it includes work by Raimond Kolga and Kauksi Ülle. The album’s sound took shape through close collaboration with Gleason, first in Tartu and then in Toronto, with contributions from musicians from Estonia and abroad.

Gleason handled recording and production. Mattias Tirmaste and Marcus Ellervee made additional recordings, and Peeter Salmela mastered the album.