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Biography

**Oso Oso**

When Jade Lilitri released "The Yunahon Mixtape" in 2017, it felt like discovering a perfectly weathered diary left behind in a childhood bedroom. The album stands as Oso Oso's masterpiece, a collection of bedroom pop gems that transformed Lilitri from a Long Island songwriter tinkering with lo-fi recordings into one of indie rock's most compelling voices. With its dreamy production, introspective lyrics, and irresistible melodies that somehow sound both nostalgic and timeless, "The Yunahon Mixtape" captured the essence of what makes Oso Oso special: the ability to make the deeply personal feel universally relatable.

Jade Lilitri began the Oso Oso project in 2014 as a solo endeavor, recording songs in bedrooms and basements across Long Island, New York. The name, Spanish for "bear bear," reflected the project's cuddly yet slightly repetitive nature – songs that wrapped listeners in warm familiarity while exploring themes of anxiety, relationships, and the peculiar melancholy of growing up in suburban America. Initially, Lilitri handled all instrumentation and vocals, crafting a sound that borrowed from indie rock, emo, and bedroom pop while maintaining a distinctly DIY aesthetic.

The early releases, including the "Real Stories of True People Who Kind of Looked Like Monsters" EP in 2015, established Oso Oso's core appeal: jangly guitars, conversational vocals, and lyrics that read like text messages sent at 2 AM. Lilitri's songwriting possessed an almost casual intimacy, discussing mundane details and emotional revelations with equal weight. This approach resonated particularly well with younger listeners navigating similar experiences of uncertainty and self-discovery.

Following the success of "The Yunahon Mixtape," which earned widespread critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase, Oso Oso evolved from bedroom project to full band. Lilitri recruited additional musicians for live performances, transforming the intimate recordings into energetic, communal experiences. The project's growth culminated in 2019's "Basking in the Glow," released on Triple Crown Records. This album marked a significant step forward in production value and songwriting sophistication while maintaining the project's essential charm. Tracks like "the secret spot" and "impossible game" demonstrated Lilitri's growing confidence as both a melodist and lyricist, crafting songs that were simultaneously more polished and more emotionally direct than previous work.

Musically, Oso Oso occupies a sweet spot between several genres without being beholden to any single one. The project draws from the emotional directness of emo, the DIY ethos of indie rock, and the dreamy textures of bedroom pop, creating something that feels both familiar and fresh. Lilitri's guitar work favors bright, chiming tones that recall the best of 1990s alternative rock, while the rhythm section provides a steady, unobtrusive foundation that allows the melodies and lyrics to shine. The vocals, delivered in Lilitri's conversational style, avoid the dramatic peaks and valleys of traditional emo in favor of a more measured, almost spoken-word approach that makes every line feel like a personal confession.

The band's influence extends beyond their recorded output into the broader indie rock community. Oso Oso has become a fixture on festival lineups and tour bills, often sharing stages with acts like Mom Jeans, Prince Daddy & The Hyena, and other bands in the contemporary emo and indie rock scenes. Their approach to songwriting – prioritizing emotional honesty over technical complexity – has inspired numerous bedroom pop and indie rock artists to embrace vulnerability and simplicity in their own work.

In 2022, Oso Oso released "Sore Thumb," an album that found Lilitri further refining the project's sound while exploring new thematic territory. The record addressed themes of mental health, creative fulfillment, and the challenges of maintaining authenticity while growing as an artist. Songs like "pensacola" and "the view" showcased a more mature songwriter grappling with adult concerns while maintaining the project's essential relatability.

Currently, Oso Oso continues to tour extensively and work on new material, having established themselves as one of the most reliable and emotionally resonant acts in contemporary indie rock. Lilitri's ability to find profound meaning in everyday experiences, combined with an innate gift for melody, ensures that