Around the world music-lovers are increasingly turning to tracks written in their native language. While western genres such as pop or hip-hop are becoming more globalised, their songs are no longer only being written in English. Poland is a classic example of this trend, labelled glocalisation in a recent report from LSE. In 2012, only one song in Poland’s top 10 was written in Polish, while in 2022 this number had risen to eight.
As part of the Class of 2024 series, WAT lands in Poland to spotlight rising talents you need on your radar.
Oliver Gigon
Oliver Gigon first built a following on TikTok playing guitar and performing comical skits, then came his breakout hit Trufle in 2022. The track is about the fear of growing older and becoming an old trufle — truffle, it’s an insanely catchy banger (not to mention WAT’s most-listened to song of 2023!). He released his first single Dla fabuły under a new deal with Sony Music Poland in November. Expect an album or EP before the year is out.
Wiktoria Zwolińska
Another fresh face on the Polish pop scene, Zwolińska draws on retro influences with an edgy alt-indie sensibility. She released her debut EP ...na podstawie zazdrości in April last year, which takes a more reflective and sometimes experimental route than her previous poppy hits Tarantino and Chowany via dark synths and guitar ballads. Zwolińska doesn’t shy away from heavy themes, and the EP dives into topics such as jealousy, self-esteem and society’s toxic cult of beauty.
Ania Leon
Ania Leon draws inspiration from artists such as Banks, Billie Eilish, Lorde and Sevdaliza in her moody alt-pop melodies. Her intoxicating style is best illustrated in the title track of her 2022 album Łezki, where dark rhythmic synths swirl alongside her sultry vocals. Ania has previously supported fellow Polish artists Natalia Przybysz, Daria Zawiałow and Brodka on tour, and this year she hits the road with the band BOKKA. Her second album is slated for release later this year.
Stan Zapalny
Since releasing his first single Ego in 2022, Stan Zapalny has built a dedicated following for his creative storytelling and infectious tunes. The young artist released his debut mini-album entitled Moje ego in 2021 and his latest EP Moje momentry dropped in January this year. Opening with the vibrant Tylko na moment (Just for a moment), Moje momentry is a tender collection of diary entries reflecting on his memories travelling. Flitting between Italy, France, Morocco, the United States, the UK etc., each song is its own world, drawn together by Zapalny’s talent for writing a catchy hook.
Krzewy
Singer-songwriter Ewa Zaborowska and producer and multi-instrumentalist Paweł Sulewski weave acoustic guitar textures alongside crystalline vocals into folk songs about nature and the quotidian human experience. The duo are a hotly-tipped rising talent of the Polish alternative indie scene and they released their debut album Tamte Dei in October 2023.
