Within the framework for the popular music era we live in, the pull between tradition and innovation often drives the most profound pieces. Enter VARNA GL and her haunting “QAARDULU (raven)”, a track echoing with the deep-rooted sounds of Greenland. Through Greenlandic lyrics, accompanied by bass and echoes, she crafts a vibe that’s all it’s own.
This recent piece, a standout from a debut album produced by neonme, has rightfully gained attention, drawing support from outlets like Mixmag, Broke Magazine, and Earmilk. But to focus solely on the sonic skills is to overlook the cultural narrative underlying VARNA’s work.
Embedded in her compositions is the East Greenlandic drum part, a tradition dating back centuries, recently recognized by UNESCO. Its rhythms and movements encapsulate the spirit of a people and their turbulent history with Danish colonialism.
But as VARNA GL moves through the world’s music capitals, from Reykjavik to Paris, she remains intrinsically tied to her homeland. Through Qilaat, she seeks to bring the drum dance to newer audiences, and in her own words, playfully connect “with my spirit helper.” In VARNA’s sounds, we witness not just music, but a cultural resurgence.
