With her latest release, “Who Am I?”, LA-based Hana La Rene has crafted an elegant and vulnerable contemplation of identity and purpose. Originally written in 2021, this song is the first to be released from an upcoming concept album that also serves as her debut. Weaving together elements of grunge, art rock, and shoegaze, this song offers no solutions to existential woes, but certainly a beautiful direction to wander in.
This track quickly establishes an ethereal mood, with bell-like synths and warm guitars that set a haunting backdrop. Intricate and rich, the vocals take center stage with increasing intensity as the song builds. The lyrics suggest to me someone who had their sense of purpose collapse, and now is left questioning who they even are and what their goals are. Who are we as we shift from one phase of our lives to another? I’m really not sure, either. As vocal harmonies soar over rumbling bass, I do wonder if, in using music to guide others, she may have found her answer to the titular question.
Besides the music itself, something else that Hana La Rene wrote about this piece stood out to me– “I used to use stories to escape, but this time I’m using them to face everything I used to run from in the hopes that it can help other people.” In this piece, I feel like she’s laid it all out there to provide validation and comfort to those who might be going through the same thing. Keep an eye out as Hana La Rene breaks into the scene with equal parts vulnerability and well-crafted music– I can’t wait to see what she puts out next.
Written by Cassie Toby
