Kue Varo, photo courtesy of Ariana Molly

After much anticipation, it’s finally here – Montreal-based artist Kue Varo (she/her, he/him, they/them) has released their debut album, Daffodil-11, and we couldn’t be happier.

Kue Varo is the solo project of Kat Spreen, a musician and multi-instrumentalist with a passion for creativity and authenticity. Daffodil-11 is the accumulation of years of writing, working and playing in her local DIY scenes, whether that was during her teenage years in the traditionally conservative city of Calgary, or the artistic hub of her current home, Montreal.

Album standouts are a-plenty, including “Dreaming” – an emotional freefall of a track in which Varo pleads to anyone who will listen: “Is this the waking life / Or have I died in my sleep? / I used to have something / I thought I could keep.” Shoegaze fans will be entranced by “Fully Clothed”, a feminist anthem that cloaks the listener in reverb. Between bouncy guitars and wails of release, “Animals” will get you thinking about your relationship with social media. Can you tell we’re a fan?

Float away and feel the feels with Kue Varo on Daffodil-11 – and take a look at our November interview, where she dished on identity and its influence on her creative expression. If you need us, we’ll be ~vibing~.

”Daffodil-11 is a reference to Kurt Vonnegut's Slapstick, which is my absolute favourite book of all time," said Spreen. "It’s roughly about human decency for human [decency’s] sake, without attachment to outcome. This album starts with an angry introduction to the planet, and ends with me trying not to bury her. It’s a very vulnerable and sometimes uncomfortable undressing."

Daffodil-11 was recorded at Montreal's St Zo Studio. The album features Matthew Spreen on rhythm guitar, Chris Dadge (Alvvays) on percussion, Scott Munro (Preoccupations) on synth, and Rena Kozak (Child Actress) on bass and production duties. The seven songs on Daffodil-11 each have one of two personalities attributed to them.

"Although I believe strongly that traits assigned a gender are silly, I enjoy exploring duality in the form of gender to help come to terms with what was imposed onto me," Spreen said. "Gender presenting is a fun visual way for me to do so through my art. Each song on this album has one of two personalities attributed to it: the mod princess light and magnificent of the 1960’s and the grungy 1970’s/90’s beatnik poet/failed artist who is bitter and feels entitled to be. These traits simultaneously exist within me and it’s incredibly liberating to lean into them as a form of expression and creativity."

Listen to Daffodil-11, out now on all major streaming platforms.