Austrian musician and actor Oskar Haag recorded a music video for his piano ballad inspired by Gustav Klimt’s masterpiece „Der Kuss“ directly inside the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere at night, accompanied by a strictly limited 12-inch vinyl release in collaboration with the museum, Die Presse reported.”
The Bottom Line
- Oskar Haag initially considered Gustav Klimt’s iconic painting overhyped before experiencing it firsthand at the Belvedere museum and immediately writing a song about it.
- The track serves as the penultimate number on Haag’s sophomore album, Lost Cause, which follows up on his breakthrough 2023 debut, Teenage Lullabies.
- Coldplay frontman Chris Martin praised the young artist’s work during an online listening session, singling out Haag’s piano performance as a standout moment.
From Skepticism to the Belvedere Museum Floor
Locals sometimes grow indifferent to the artistic landmarks in their own backyard, and the 21-year-old performer was no exception. „Ich dachte immer, dass Klimts ,Kuss‘ ein total überbewertetes Bild wäre. Ich habe nie verstanden, warum es so weltberühmt ist,“ Haag admitted to Die Presse, reflecting on his initial impressions before visiting the famed Vienna gallery. That perception shifted instantly when he walked through the halls of Schloss Belvedere with his girlfriend, walked four or five rooms in, and stood directly in front of the golden canvas.’”
The realization struck him instantly, sparking a creative impulse that drove him straight to his piano at home. Der daraus resultierende Track „Der Kuss“ wurde als das Herzstück seines zweiten Albums „Lost Cause“ beschrieben. Rather than remaining confined to standard streaming formats, the project expanded into a physical collaboration with the museum, culminating in a late-night video shoot right in front of the artwork and a limited-edition 12-inch vinyl pressing.””
Navigating the Sophomore Slump With Industry Support
Following up a celebrated debut is rarely simple, a reality Haag faced head-on while assembling the 15 tracks that made the final cut from an initial pool of 60 to 70 written songs. His father, Oliver Welter of the indie-pop group Naked Lunch, offered a timely warning about the unique pressures accompanying a second release. According to Die Presse, Welter even surprised his son during a cafe interview in the Stuwerviertel by handing him a copy of Paul McCartney’s „Lyrics,“ a fitting gesture given McCartney’s frequent emphasis on songwriting as a daily habit.”
To finalize the sonic direction of the new record, Haag partnered with co-producer Lukas Klement, ensuring the intimate piano and guitar arrangements translated cleanly while incorporating contributions from guest musicians like cellist Antonia Luksch and percussionist Xavier Plus. Label manager Christian König detailed how Coldplay frontman Chris Martin hosted an online listening session where Austrian artists shared snippets of their work, yet Haag stood out enough to perform his track in full after winning over the British singer.
Artistic Evolution on Lost Cause
Marking a distinct maturation from the bedroom-pop origins of his 2023 debut Teenage Lullabies, the new album balances intensely private reflections with broader coming-of-age themes. Tracks like „Leaving Town“ capture the friction of leaving his hometown of Klagenfurt for the capital, while his exploration of visual artists extends beyond Klimt to figures like Arnulf Rainer, whose unsettling vertical compositions inspired further creative inquiries.”
| Project / Milestone | Key Detail | Reported Context |
|---|---|---|
| Teenage Lullabies (2023) | Debut Album | Earned him an Amadeus Austrian Music Award as the youngest-ever winner at age 17. |
| Lost Cause | Sophomore Album | Features 15 selected tracks from roughly 70 written songs, highlighted by the Klimt-inspired single „Der Kuss.“ |
| Belvedere Museum Collaboration | Visual & Vinyl Release | Includes a late-night music video filmed directly in front of Klimt’s painting alongside a limited 12-inch release. |
By blending classical Austrian art history with contemporary indie production, Haag continues to position himself as a singular voice in the regional scene.
