Watching people go from "wtf this guy can play guitar" to "wtf is that harmony" to "holy shit he can rap" to "WTF he has the voice of an angel" is my new pastime. Ren gave us a full one man Broadway show with some flickering lights, a dingy room, and a classical guitar. That's pure artistry
I found Hi Ren last night and have now watched over 30 reaction videos…my mind is blown. At 50 years old I have never seen anything like this. But I gotta say, out of the 30 reactions… brother YOU nailed it. Best reaction I’ve seen. Great job.
Welcome. I am 70 and found Ren months ago. My son told me to watch this. He has the same autoImmune condition as Ren. My son has been ill for 26 years. I keep watching reaction videos day after day and crying. Ren has changed my life. We can't get enough of his genius.
I have watched what seems like 7,754 reactions to this video and I've noticed that the people who have raised their eyebrows highest when he starts singing at the beginning are dancing ferociously along with it at the end
Ren's WHOLE CATALOG is CRAZY good! The Tale of Jenny and Screech (full version), Sick Boi, The Hunger, Power....Just ALL of them and his BUSKING...OMG 😱🔥🔥 ENJOY! 😏✌️
I've watched so many reactions to this song and yours is one of the best, if not the best I have seen. I love the attention to detail you give the piece of art and the artist. It shows so much respect for them and their artwork. Thank you for this, the world needs to hear it just as much as they need to hear and see this masterful piece of art.
So didn't see this comment before mine but I pretty much said the same thing lol 😆 so glad I'm not the only one who totally thought this reaction ranked pretty high🤭 💜💜💜
Dude.. fellow MAWG here. This is so good. I think nearly all of us Ren fans are (& have been - I'm a little late to the party commenting) addicted to seeking all the reactions we can find to revel in seeing people come onboard. Personally I like lot of pausing to feel, absorb, attempt to digest and process rather than those who just sit and watch a whole masterpiece seemingly emotion less with just a few words at the end. Your energy, passion and appreciation (plus astute observations) have got me checking out more of your reactions. Digging your work my friend 👍
From the psychological perspective, it is the voice of depression, full of criticism and hopelessness that tries to destroy us vs our hopeful self, which strives to survive, overcome and grow! ❤
Hello ....Middle Aged White girl here and I'm subscribing to this channel because of your amazing reaction. I have become obsessed with this song and the reaction it gets. I've watched 25 or more reactions on this song and you have one of the most in depth reactions. Not saying the other reactions haven't been amazing and emotional. Your truth shines man , I loved it.
Great reaction. I have watched Ren busking in Brighton (UK) for seven years. I already knew he was a genius but one of the great things about Ren blowing up the internet is that it is encouraging everyone else to examine and share their own mental health battles. Enjoy your ride down the Ren rabbit hole!
I've seen 30+ responses because Ren's expression hits so deep. Ignore those who say "too many pauses" because your responses are why we tuned in. You are seeing and expressing psychological and personal issues that are crucial for this performance that most other responses are missing when they breeze through. Perfect. You made me an instant subscriber with your first pause.
You are one of the few reactions that actually finds the real humour in this. Especially the particularly English humour. Rare. I appreciate that, I bawled my eyes out and laughed through the tears the first time I watched this video. :D (middle-age white Englishwoman here :D )
My friend… I have watched too many reactions to Hi Ren to count and I was starting to think it was past time to stop when I found this. I did not intend to watch the entire thing yet the 34:09 went by in no time. Sincerely, this is by far the best breakdown of Hi Ren that I have come across. Subscribed. I loved your authentic reaction and the self reflection that it sparked in you. Listen again and again. You’ll find something new each time as you learn to dance with more abandon because you heard REN’s message. Here are a couple of thoughts that I’ve only had after several listens to this art piece. 1) this experience is ubiquitous. Every one of us has it in one way or another. If we are all “unique” then we are all the same. If everyone is unique then uniqueness necessarily invokes sameness. Everyone can relate to this because it is raw and real and there is nothing hidden behind the curtain. It’s right there for you to feel. 2) the intro is a musical dance back and forth, back and forth, finally settling into a rhythm before the play begins. His guitar and voice (ooo-oo-o-o-o-o) are the pendulum. Back and forth and settling. He engages in a dialogue with his shadow. And the more he argues, the more it escalates. He cannot out talk this side of himself. Fear of failure not working? Ok let’s go to god complex. It’s like fighting a foe that can read your mind and predict your every move. Useless. It comes to a crescendo and then when he says “hi Ren “ again, it is with a softness. A relaxing. A surrender that wasn’t there when he was defending himself. That’s integration. Accepting that there is no light without shadow. That life is polarity and the more you push it away and fight it the darker the shadow. Best to relax. Accept that in order to feel joy you must know pain. Comfort/discomort. Inside/outside. Front/back. Up/down. Waves wouldn’t exist without troughs. And it is in his acceptance and his knowing that he cannot fight it or defend against it, that it is him and he is it, that he discovers that he has choice. And self defence is a waste of energy that he needs to heal. And in that realization, he rises and just as his shadow crescendoed so did his light. His ending is the pendulum, the dance. The integration of light and shadow. A grounding in himself. And it is accessible to all of us if we could just be vulnerable and have the courage to face our shadow and learn to co-exist by following our inner compass. Our internal guidance system. This is Ren in his full authenticity. Side note: not sure if this is true but I read that he recorded this when he felt like he was dying. Looking death in the eyes has a way of stripping us naked and forcing us to accept that there is nothing to cling to. That we had everything we needed all along. Thank you for your authenticity. I needed that today.
Oh my dear!! Thank you,thank you thank you for being the one person that’s taken notice to the deep reason for the intro and outro!!! For me the whole reason for the guitar to be there was to set the whole sound track for the story from beginning to end the story was just as much in the guitar as it was in his words. You could almost close your eyes, strip the lyrics away and feel the story of struggle and battles… the moment of consumption and surrender.. then the bonding of everything coming together !!
The imperfections are calculated, intentional and repeated to create a sense of uneasiness and discordant uncomfort. This is a performance nor just a piece of music. Every single thing in this piece is important and relevant. There is not a single second that you can possibly remove or edit. Powerful and inspirational. Thank you Ren.
I consider myself blessed to have been listening to Ren for several years! He is the modern-day Minstrel poet musician! He has a large catalog in it is all worth listening to!🌿💔
I've watched a couple of reactions to this song and I really enjoyed yours, I really liked how you broke down the lyrics as the song went and I felt like you had a deeper understanding and appreciation of the song than some others that I've watched. If you want other songs by him, I suggest checking out "The Tale Of Jenny & Screech (Full), Money Game Part 2, and Chalk Outlines." They are all amazing pieces.
Welcome to the channel! I love pulling apart lyrics to try and understand the deeper messages in them…. I can only do that with artists who actually have substance in their lyrics… I think Ren is going to fit right in here. 😂 Thanks for watching. 🙏
Of the many reactions I’ve watched to this song, this is the first one compelling me to comment. Your reaction is the best I’ve seen/felt! I loved your analysis, personality, perspective, and your infectious laugh, which made me unusually happy. Well done!
At this point, I can’t even put a number to the amount of reaction videos to Ren, and really this song in particular, that I’ve watched. There have only been before yours two others, reactions that is, that have spoke to me as much. I truly hope that he sees your reaction, as I know that he has seen and commented on others, because everything that it took me multiple times listening to to understand and feel it took you just the initial hearing to get out of it. You were able to capture so much the first time. Ren’s music carries itself, but I find great meaning, and how it makes other people feel and yours is a reaction I will not soon forget.
Having heard 10 reactions to Hi Ren, That is the best reaction to REN ever - a real response. Ren invokes real emotional confrontational and mental conflict - you get it and feel it. Thanks, mate from Australia
This is true. Ren was diagnosed with Lyme disease after a decade of painful symptoms and misdiagnoses. He has had stem cell transplant and is currently undergoing additional treatment. Enjoyed your reaction. Liked and subbed. You watched Hi Ren like I did the first time. Lots of bunny hoping. Please look up Ren's band Big Push. Watching their cover of Wade in the Water is amazing. This young man is a musical renaissance all by himself.
I think part of the idea is that you can integrate things like anger in a healthier way, e.g. by accepting that the dark and light parts of ourselves cycle through your life like day and night. If we can understand in the middle of an emotional storm that good times will soon follow, we are in a better position to make better choices . If the storms are particularly dark, it can be worth getting help to guide us in smoothing our reactions to the changes out. Ren is such a talented artist to speak to so many of our human experiences and to show us a positive way forward.
Excellent breakdown. Ren is such a talented artist. Originally from Wales, he has busked for years in Brighton, England. His rapping skills are amazing too. Creative Brits at their best 💪
Great react my guy. Ren is so talented and has a amazing back catalogue of work. He is like a bard bringing conversations to the world. Enjoy the ride 💙keep stepping forwards.
Ive been obsessed watching reaction vids to this. I'm so loving watching people as the song progresses. You're the only one so far that's mentioned Best Rapper Ever...props for that. It's my fave Tom Mac song and Hi Ren is like that,only next level
Brilliant, brilliantly detailed analysis of the lyrics and interpretation behind them. Many many Ren "addicts" here (he really does get you hooked and is as addictive as drugs but instead of numbing the pain as drugs do, he helps you acknowledge it and explore it...) will have watched, as have I, countless reactors who each add layers of different thread to this rich tapestry Ren has woven, but yours certainly is a golden thread highlighting the finer details, very enjoyable watch. New sub here courtesy of Ren (you'll get a few of us joining you, I have no doubt. I look forward to you foraging the Ren rabbit hole and sharing your take on his other material. Chalk Outlines is a firm favourite of mine (a collaboration with Chinchilla) but honestly, there's not one that hasn't both surprised and excited me and so many get stuck in your head. He's out of this world gifted. In fact I think he's a Gift to the World
I will always go as deep as an artist will allow me…. Some fanbases appreciate that level of detail in a reaction, others don’t. The trick is finding the ones that do, because I will not compromise my style, for the ones that don’t. Typically I will “feature” an artist and have 2-3 in rotation, and swap artists in and out as needed. In order for me to “feature” an artist on the channel, I have to like them first of all, they have to have the substance necessary to breakdown, and their fanbase has to be engaged with this kind of reaction… Ren and you guys hit all those categories so far, so their is definitely more of him to come here! Thanks for watching. 🙏
Dude I straighten that cord out all the damn time and it just curly q’s back around like that. 😂 I’ll try to remember to untangle it right before I do the next Ren reaction for you!
Your attention to detail is incredible, it took me several listens and a lot of time to properly decipher thing song, but you did it so well on your first time. You're gonna love Ren!
Thank you… this is essentially how I have been listening to music since I was 15 or so… without the monologues obviously because the internet was still barely a thing and there was no one around to talk to!🤣 We listened to a lot of bone, and twista and stuff like that growing up, me and my buddy would sit down with a pen and pad and our cassette player and listen to snippets of songs over and over again until we were satisfied with our translations and then move on to the next section and do it all again. What you see me do on these videos is simply just a refined version of that. I’m not always right, Sometimes I miss stuff on the first listen, sometimes I fail to fully grasp the context, and definitely, without a doubt…some of my videos and ramblings are much, much better than others…. But it’s a real raw first impression, typically unedited (I only edit out long family interruptions of several minutes +), so you see it all from start to finish…. Now if I wasn’t fairly confident that I was going to get it mostly right, I would definitely not do it this way! 🤣
Do Jennys tale, Screethch"s tale and Violets tail in that oeder. its a trilogy. It will blow you away. Then do Chaulk Outlines.Shit do it all. Welcome to the Ren Gough Rabbit Hole. Your find out about his illness and his tragic story that is finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Hes actully in the hospital again right now. Id say pray for him, but just enjoy his art and share it
Ren is the rock opera artist of today. His talent is crazy good. His understanding is unbelievable. He can do it all...better than any of his contemporaries.
This is the most in depth reaction I've seen. You're very perceptiv, man. Impressive This is not just a song, this is a performance... a play. I've never seen or heard something like this. And I'm 36, I've heard a lot of stuff 😂 Powerful and inspirational
Great in depth review and analysis. I stumbled upon your channel checking reactions to this Hi Ren video. Really enjoyed yours, so much so, that without knowing anything about your channel, I immediately subscribed. I’m a little puzzled by the Playboy and two containers of Aunt Jemima up on the shelf behind you. I’m assuming you’re in Cleveland or at least a Browns and Indians (wait, I mean Guardians) fan. Then I saw the Redskins cap and now I’m thinking that maybe the shelf is an homage to all things canceled. I have that same mug by the way. I am going to move on to your review of that Tale of Jenny and Screech, but I see it’s like 36 min long, so I don’t think I can do it now. I see Tom MacDonald in your videos. Will look to see if you did his “America” track.
Lol, you absolutely understand all things about the shelf behind me! I am around Cleveland, it IS an homage to all things cancelled, and the playboy is a 1967 Sharon Tate edition, she is one of the victims of the Charles Manson cult, I found that issue at an antiques shop, sealed in plastic for 6 bucks… couldn’t pass that up, especially considering mint copies go for hundreds… sprinkled amongst the cancelled and Cleveland items (or in some cases cancelled Cleveland items) are just random things that make me… me! A football card that I hand made as a child for a player I made up in my head, a hit wheel car that I bought from big fun a few years before they closed their Cleveland location, final fantasy 7 ps2 and remake for ps4, walking dead bottle of wine, pickle Rick gummy from Rick and morty… etc. etc. And yes I have done america by tom Macdonald… in fact I have done damn near 100 songs from him, so if you want a reaction to any one in particular, chances are I have done them…. I started the channel with him though so the quality is not there on the earlier ones.
@@MAWGReacts sorry for the delayed response, I was on a con call for the past 90+ minutes. Thank-you for the extremely prompt and detailed response. I was able to check out the Ren trilogy (and again, great analysis). I’m sure I am older than you as I am nearing 65, so I do remember that whole Sharon Tate tragedy (such a beautiful woman). I also checked out and enjoyed your Rittenhouse verdict reaction and perspective and I watched the Let’s Go Branden reaction. I’m sure you’re very familiar with Bryson Gray and Tyson James, so I’ll be scrolling and trolling your vids. I also noticed you shaved between Ren vids. Do you suggest I go new to old or old to new or just scroll and pick?
My core style hasn’t changed… so any reaction you pick is going to essentially follow the same format as what you’ve been watching. But the sound quality and video quality increases the newer you get, and the intros weren’t as refined at first so I sometimes would spend several minutes talking before we got into the songs… nowadays I want all my intros no more than 2 minutes long and ideally around 1 minute total. So if you aren’t a stickler for those types of things, I would suggest just picking songs and artists you like and go from there… This is only a hobby for me, any money I make goes back into the channel so far, so I can’t upload every day multiple times like other channels, so while I have damn near 300 videos, there isn’t a huge spread of artists…. I have playlists made for any artist I have done 3 or more reactions too so I would start there if you want to see the artists we have spent time covering.
My contribution - The Book of Revelation ! Not revelations , big difference . I found this Hi Ren video yesterday and I have been watching EVERY reaction video for it mainly because I just can't stop watching it . Two months posted and it has close to 7 million views , obviously there is talent there and as soon as I can pull myself away from Hi Ren , I am going to check out his other video's . What a 9 : 19 minute ride this is , the UK putting artistry back in music . Great reaction MAWG , love your infectious , positive vibe .
Great reaction, found your channel through this video. Liked and subscribed. If you decide to check out more of Ren, The tale of Jenny & Screech (full) is a trilogy that really showcases his incredible story telling.
Loved that reaction, great insights... man at 25:38 you looked like you just did a few rounds with Tyson 😂😂 got you a new sub, and cant wait for you to start going through is stuff, everyone is a knockout... #GetWellSoonRen
That was a great reaction 😊 I just saw this 4 days ago for the first time 🤯 I had to watch several times to catch everything if I even have heard it all yet. He was signed with a record label when he became I’ll. The record company dropped him (probably the silver lining in what he has been through) He had misdiagnosed Lyme disease and he said he spent the next 8 years basically bed ridden with chronic pain and everything else that came along with it. My second song from Ren was Sick Boi. 😊
There is little parts of the song that sound like there not completely refined, when the song was recorded it was the first take and that could be the reason as why it sounds like that which just makes the whole performance and song more incredible
One middle aged white guy to another? Yeah. Fucking amazing isn't it? You're going to get a bunch of suggestions for what to listen to of his next (including mine - Chalk Outlines (live) w/Chinchilla) pay them no mind. Dig in. Listen to everything he's recorded. He's worth it. You're going to find a LOT of powerful shit in his catalog. There is pain there, to be certain. But there is beauty as well. And there is hope. I wish I'd heard him a decade ago so that I could have been enjoying his art for years. I will be now, though. A rabbit's hole is properly called a warren. Welcome to the warRen.
The authentic recognition of his genius is what I've been looking for in these reaction videos. It is so fun to watch it come over people a little bit at a time. I don't think we human beings get the chance often enough to be in the presence of authentic real genius. It's a beautiful thing. Cheers brother🍻
Any sort of discordant sounds you're hearing in the guitar I think are intentional. He's very skilled, I think he's just setting a tone with the little imperfections
One of the most important aspects of this song is the presentation of the idea that we need to stop presenting these battles as being against some kind of mythical "evil". The truth is that we all have this light and dark dichotomy inside us (to varying degrees) and that's where "evil" comes from. Dressing this up into a supernatural force makes people powerless against it. If we instead realized and accepted that all humans have this internal conflict it would be much easier for people to develop the tools to deal with it and overcome the worst of it. If people could understand that these frustrations, this self-sabotage, the invasive thoughts, addictive actions or negative behaviors were a natural part of human psychology and not some kind of mythical all-powerful supernatural being outside of ourselves and beyond influence then maybe it would be far easier for people to overcome these things, or even see them as strengths and a source of motivation or inspiration? Great reaction. I hope you'll check out the Tale of Jenny and Screech. It's a trilogy that you have to see in order (Jenny, Screech and Violet) to understand it and get the impact of the ending. Ren really is a master at presenting discussions of human psychology and behavior in a digestible and creative way, a lot of people probably don't even understand that this is what he's doing, he does it that well.
Loved your reaction! I couldn't hit play fast enough when I saw that you reacted to this. I discovered this young man about 4 weeks ago and I've now watched every video of him that I could find. This song blew me away, so talented!!!
excellent reaction my friend, you got it . Ren was misdiagnosed for years with Lymes disease, bi polar, and autoimmune disease, he is still receiving treatment but is improving. he has a fantastic back catalogue on youtube , the wormhole is deep,touching, sometimes heartbreaking, but always beautiful, Ren is a poetic genius,a fantastic story teller a real modern day Bard.
Great job breaking this down. #Ren is an amazing brilliant artist / musician. Hopefully you will react to more of his music. Thank you, and Thank you Ren.
Thank you… I’m still trying to wake up this morning and get some coffee in me, but as soon as I get going over here I’m going to react to another one of his. I have a feeling we are going to see plenty of Ren on this channel! 😂
This is one of the best reactions I've seen on this...and I've seen them all. Actually you might even have lifted the curse to be obsessed with reaction videos to Hi Ren, since I feel you really catched it all. Thanks mate! Now could you please remove that Tale of Jenny and Screech curse from me.... subscribed
U r so authentic man! Amazing reaction with such great observations. Have seen dozens of other reactions to this truly amazing masterpiece and yours was truly refreshing and emotional. Much respect from far away Israel
Dude ! I have listened to this piece maybe 100 times or more and I have watched most of those with reactors, and yours is probably my favorite. You get it. And you appreciate it. Enjoyed this. Thanks
The video and sound were recorded live with post processing thats why the sounds are not perfect as they would be in a studio recording. Most of his songs are done like this. That is why you see the microphone.
Such an honest and vulnerable reaction. This song came into my life just when I needed it with mental illness and SUD. I LOVE reactions from people who get it.
Great reaction. I just subscribed. "Hi Ren" is the song that put Ren on everyone's radar over the past month; it went viral and has garnered more than 3.5 million views since its debut, but he has been creating great music for more than 10 years. Ren’s songs are generally recorded live. His latest release, "Sick Boi," is almost another chapter to "Hi Ren." I am 57 y/o, and I only recently learned about Ren and have gone down this rabbit hole ever since. Many of his songs resonate with me because he addresses struggles that I myself face every day. A little background on Ren that I gathered from the internet. Ren pursued a career in music from an early age. In 2009, while studying music performance at Bath Spa University, he began to experience health issues and was struggling to attend his lectures. In 2010, he was signed by Sony Records and was working on an album when his health deteriorated to the point where he was unable to continue. His illness often kept him in bed for up to 23 hours a day. Ren was initially diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome. It would take seven years before he was finally correctly diagnosed with autoimmunity, Lyme disease, and resulting brain damage. Ren eventually underwent stem cell therapy in the United States, which improved his health, but it has not been a cure. He is currently in Canada for more treatments. He plays multiple instruments, has amazing vocals, is an excellent storyteller, and is quite the philosopher and poet. Check out the trilogy "The Tale of Jenny/Screech/Violet." It is haunting and has an unforeseen conclusion; WATCH THEM IN THE STATED ORDER, as this is the flow of the storyline or just watch “The Tale of Jenny & Screech (Full),” which includes “Violet’s Tale at the end. It is another example of Ren’s genius and a master’s class in storytelling. Ren’s collaborations with Chinchilla (“Chalk Outlines,” “How to Be Me”) are beautiful and showcase his singing voice while addressing mental health. I would watch the official live music videos. "Chalk Outlines" is one of my favorite songs right now. Ren's personal reflections are threaded through many of his songs; "Insomnia," "Depression," “Diazepam," “Penitence,” “Dear God,” “Heretic,” “Dominos,” his "Freckled Angels" album, just to name a few, all deserve a listen. His song "Money Game" (Part I & II) is another recommendation. His performances with Sam Tompkins (“Blind Eyed,” “Earned it /Mans World / Falling,” “Walking on the Moon), Eden Nash (“Humble,” “Ocean”), Bibi (“Crutch,” “Ahiahiaoha”), Molly McKinna (“Penitence”), his former bandmate, Romain Axisa (“French Song”) are all great. Ren's performances as a member of the band "The Big Push" (which unfortunately broke up) are awesome and well worth checking out, both the busking (street performances) and their live recordings. Ren's covers of "I Shot the Sheriff," "Oh My Woman," "Wade in the Water," "An Englishman in New York," and so many others are equally impressive and really give you a sample of his vocal ability. Ren just released his latest single, “Sick Boi.” In anticipation of his stay in Canada for more treatments, Ren prepared some music ahead of time to be released over the next 3-6 months that he expects to be gone. "Sick Boi" is almost another chapter to "Hi Ren."
I've lost count of how many "hi ren" reactions I've watched, but this is definitely one of my favorites. I applaud the detail and depth, and vulnerability, of your reaction. Thank you.
I haven’t quite yet finished watching your reaction and I’ve wanted to re-like it more times than I can count as I’ve watched how this has connected and hit you - love it!
JUST THOUGHT I'd "chime-in".... No one is really realizing what "da-music" IS! (not-da-story)... From a musician-2-a-musician, THIS IS an OPERA (of-sorts). The Atlantis Factor = Hy-Brasil thing. Ancient Britannica STUFF - from the isles. I've been playing (woodwinds, classical strings, reeds, etc.) for ov'r 50 yrs. I could go on BUT that's basically IT! Then-there's-da-story...AMAZING!
I spend hours a day watching Ren reactions, 12 hour night shifts filled with them. I have seen this over 100 times easily and this was one of the best reactions to it I have seen. I’ve definitely subbed to you now and off to check out the rest of your ren ones 🖤
I really liked your reaction, you really broke it down. He is an amazing artist, who through adversity has been able to articulate it and connect with those of us who have gone through similar experiences. Through his artistry, it allows us the opportunity to take a deep breath and realise we are not alone.
Great reaction buddy. As you dive deeper into Ren's rabbit hole, you'll notice connections between lots of his songs. 'She sells sea shells' will have a further meaning in this song.
I didn’t say this in my other comment, but your reaction was the most thorough, respectful analysis of Ren’s lyrics I have seen so far (and I have seen upwards of 30 different reactions to this song). Great job! Also, might I suggest Money Game parts 1-3 next. 💜😊💜
Congrats on finding Ren, and welcome to the Ren Rabbithole. This man is a multi-instrumentalist, multi-genre, storytelling and lyrical genius. Enjoy the ride! 😊❤️🔥😊
This was a terrific, thoughtful, reaction. You called out some details that only a few other reactors focused on, some of the parts that I find most interesting.
I just found you tonight with your reaction to Money Game Part 3, and I LOVED it, so I've subscribed and I'm doing some binge viewing of your Ren reactions
Always next year! 😂 All I know is if they don’t put it together next year and go on a run, I don’t think they ever will. We literally have all the pieces.
YESSS!!! My mind was blown every other second. He is a lyrical genius!!! So much expressed in just a few words....consistently! Throughout the entire performance 🤯
Watching people go from "wtf this guy can play guitar" to "wtf is that harmony" to "holy shit he can rap" to "WTF he has the voice of an angel" is my new pastime. Ren gave us a full one man Broadway show with some flickering lights, a dingy room, and a classical guitar. That's pure artistry
Ha same it's literally the only thing I do in any spare time 😅
same here! :)
100% Same. Love Ren
Me too 😂👍
Same ❤
I found Hi Ren last night and have now watched over 30 reaction videos…my mind is blown. At 50 years old I have never seen anything like this. But I gotta say, out of the 30 reactions… brother YOU nailed it. Best reaction I’ve seen. Great job.
Same!
Welcome. I am 70 and found Ren months ago. My son told me to watch this. He has the same autoImmune condition as Ren. My son has been ill for 26 years. I keep watching reaction videos day after day and crying. Ren has changed my life. We can't get enough of his genius.
The power behind "cower at the man I have become" hits me every. single. time. Thanks for a great Ren reaction.
I've watched more reactions to this than I care to count, and that part gives me chills every damn time!
I weep. Every time.
I'm just here to watch people go "WTF?!?" when he begins singing to "FUCK YES!!!" when he returns to it at the end. You did not disappoint.
That bit of the reaction is as predictable as "My guy on a treadmill??" when reacting to "Du hast" live in Paris by Rammstein. 😄
I have watched what seems like 7,754 reactions to this video and I've noticed that the people who have raised their eyebrows highest when he starts singing at the beginning are dancing ferociously along with it at the end
Ren's WHOLE CATALOG is CRAZY good! The Tale of Jenny and Screech (full version), Sick Boi, The Hunger, Power....Just ALL of them and his BUSKING...OMG 😱🔥🔥 ENJOY! 😏✌️
Check out chalk outlines and how to be me two of my favorite ren songs... and blind eyed featuring angry parking garage attendant
Agree with above suggestions! Dying to see reaction to the hunger! I need reactors to catch up! 😂😂😂
Don't forget to follow up Jenny and screech with Violet.
🔥❤️🔥
I've watched so many reactions to this song and yours is one of the best, if not the best I have seen. I love the attention to detail you give the piece of art and the artist. It shows so much respect for them and their artwork. Thank you for this, the world needs to hear it just as much as they need to hear and see this masterful piece of art.
👆all of this. Well said Christy
Was just thinking the same thing!
I completely agree
So didn't see this comment before mine but I pretty much said the same thing lol 😆 so glad I'm not the only one who totally thought this reaction ranked pretty high🤭 💜💜💜
I just said the same thing, in my own words. It was a great breakdown
Dude.. fellow MAWG here. This is so good. I think nearly all of us Ren fans are (& have been - I'm a little late to the party commenting) addicted to seeking all the reactions we can find to revel in seeing people come onboard. Personally I like lot of pausing to feel, absorb, attempt to digest and process rather than those who just sit and watch a whole masterpiece seemingly emotion less with just a few words at the end. Your energy, passion and appreciation (plus astute observations) have got me checking out more of your reactions. Digging your work my friend 👍
Thanks for watching and thanks for the kind words!
From the psychological perspective, it is the voice of depression, full of criticism and hopelessness that tries to destroy us vs our hopeful self, which strives to survive, overcome and grow! ❤
Hello ....Middle Aged White girl here and I'm subscribing to this channel because of your amazing reaction. I have become obsessed with this song and the reaction it gets. I've watched 25 or more reactions on this song and you have one of the most in depth reactions. Not saying the other reactions haven't been amazing and emotional. Your truth shines man , I loved it.
with you on this journey. I have gone through Ren's list of reactors. This is one of the best, and longest reactions.
SAME!😊
Same
ok so im not crazy,,,ive have been binge watching for days...lol
AAaaahhh , I'm a little behind the curve , but I am stuck on Hi Ren ! How long does it last ?
It's become my new hobby to watch reactions to this masterpiece. Your reaction is one of my favs. New subscriber!
I know been on this trip for a week and still catching new things
The talent is just mind boggling. When you think everything is trash this guy comes along
Great reaction. Ren is something else, i honestly think that Hi ren is like a bohemian rhapsody of our generation. Timeless piece of art.
Single handedly rescuing music from itself.
Great reaction. I have watched Ren busking in Brighton (UK) for seven years. I already knew he was a genius but one of the great things about Ren blowing up the internet is that it is encouraging everyone else to examine and share their own mental health battles. Enjoy your ride down the Ren rabbit hole!
One of the best reaction videos for Ren. Wonderfully done!!
I've seen 30+ responses because Ren's expression hits so deep.
Ignore those who say "too many pauses" because your responses are why we tuned in. You are seeing and expressing psychological and personal issues that are crucial for this performance that most other responses are missing when they breeze through. Perfect. You made me an instant subscriber with your first pause.
This is like nothing anyone has ever heard before! A masterpiece that leaves us all Gobsmacked!❤😂
You are one of the few reactions that actually finds the real humour in this. Especially the particularly English humour. Rare. I appreciate that, I bawled my eyes out and laughed through the tears the first time I watched this video. :D (middle-age white Englishwoman here :D )
It is amazing to watch how each of us, with our individual life experiences, reacts to this song.
My friend… I have watched too many reactions to Hi Ren to count and I was starting to think it was past time to stop when I found this. I did not intend to watch the entire thing yet the 34:09 went by in no time. Sincerely, this is by far the best breakdown of Hi Ren that I have come across. Subscribed. I loved your authentic reaction and the self reflection that it sparked in you. Listen again and again. You’ll find something new each time as you learn to dance with more abandon because you heard REN’s message.
Here are a couple of thoughts that I’ve only had after several listens to this art piece.
1) this experience is ubiquitous. Every one of us has it in one way or another. If we are all “unique” then we are all the same. If everyone is unique then uniqueness necessarily invokes sameness. Everyone can relate to this because it is raw and real and there is nothing hidden behind the curtain. It’s right there for you to feel.
2) the intro is a musical dance back and forth, back and forth, finally settling into a rhythm before the play begins. His guitar and voice (ooo-oo-o-o-o-o) are the pendulum. Back and forth and settling. He engages in a dialogue with his shadow. And the more he argues, the more it escalates. He cannot out talk this side of himself. Fear of failure not working? Ok let’s go to god complex. It’s like fighting a foe that can read your mind and predict your every move. Useless. It comes to a crescendo and then when he says “hi Ren “ again, it is with a softness. A relaxing. A surrender that wasn’t there when he was defending himself. That’s integration. Accepting that there is no light without shadow. That life is polarity and the more you push it away and fight it the darker the shadow. Best to relax. Accept that in order to feel joy you must know pain. Comfort/discomort. Inside/outside. Front/back. Up/down. Waves wouldn’t exist without troughs.
And it is in his acceptance and his knowing that he cannot fight it or defend against it, that it is him and he is it, that he discovers that he has choice. And self defence is a waste of energy that he needs to heal. And in that realization, he rises and just as his shadow crescendoed so did his light. His ending is the pendulum, the dance. The integration of light and shadow. A grounding in himself. And it is accessible to all of us if we could just be vulnerable and have the courage to face our shadow and learn to co-exist by following our inner compass. Our internal guidance system. This is Ren in his full authenticity.
Side note: not sure if this is true but I read that he recorded this when he felt like he was dying. Looking death in the eyes has a way of stripping us naked and forcing us to accept that there is nothing to cling to. That we had everything we needed all along.
Thank you for your authenticity. I needed that today.
Oh my dear!! Thank you,thank you thank you for being the one person that’s taken notice to the deep reason for the intro and outro!!! For me the whole reason for the guitar to be there was to set the whole sound track for the story from beginning to end the story was just as much in the guitar as it was in his words. You could almost close your eyes, strip the lyrics away and feel the story of struggle and battles… the moment of consumption and surrender.. then the bonding of everything coming together !!
Excellent summation.
The imperfections are calculated, intentional and repeated to create a sense of uneasiness and discordant uncomfort.
This is a performance nor just a piece of music.
Every single thing in this piece is important and relevant.
There is not a single second that you can possibly remove or edit.
Powerful and inspirational.
Thank you Ren.
I consider myself blessed to have been listening to Ren for several years! He is the modern-day Minstrel poet musician! He has a large catalog in it is all worth listening to!🌿💔
I've watched a couple of reactions to this song and I really enjoyed yours, I really liked how you broke down the lyrics as the song went and I felt like you had a deeper understanding and appreciation of the song than some others that I've watched. If you want other songs by him, I suggest checking out "The Tale Of Jenny & Screech (Full), Money Game Part 2, and Chalk Outlines." They are all amazing pieces.
Welcome to the channel! I love pulling apart lyrics to try and understand the deeper messages in them…. I can only do that with artists who actually have substance in their lyrics…
I think Ren is going to fit right in here. 😂
Thanks for watching. 🙏
He has so much more that will blow your mind.
Of the many reactions I’ve watched to this song, this is the first one compelling me to comment. Your reaction is the best I’ve seen/felt! I loved your analysis, personality, perspective, and your infectious laugh, which made me unusually happy. Well done!
At this point, I can’t even put a number to the amount of reaction videos to Ren, and really this song in particular, that I’ve watched. There have only been before yours two others, reactions that is, that have spoke to me as much. I truly hope that he sees your reaction, as I know that he has seen and commented on others, because everything that it took me multiple times listening to to understand and feel it took you just the initial hearing to get out of it. You were able to capture so much the first time. Ren’s music carries itself, but I find great meaning, and how it makes other people feel and yours is a reaction I will not soon forget.
Having heard 10 reactions to Hi Ren, That is the best reaction to REN ever - a real response. Ren invokes real emotional confrontational and mental conflict - you get it and feel it. Thanks, mate from Australia
This is true. Ren was diagnosed with Lyme disease after a decade of painful symptoms and misdiagnoses. He has had stem cell transplant and is currently undergoing additional treatment. Enjoyed your reaction. Liked and subbed. You watched Hi Ren like I did the first time. Lots of bunny hoping. Please look up Ren's band Big Push. Watching their
cover of Wade in the Water is amazing. This young man is a musical renaissance all by himself.
I've been BINGING for 3weeks now! 🤷♀️❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥😎
@@Spunky62 5 days for me now 😂❤
2 days for me, but it'll be 30 easy easy at this rate 😂
I think part of the idea is that you can integrate things like anger in a healthier way, e.g. by accepting that the dark and light parts of ourselves cycle through your life like day and night. If we can understand in the middle of an emotional storm that good times will soon follow, we are in a better position to make better choices . If the storms are particularly dark, it can be worth getting help to guide us in smoothing our reactions to the changes out. Ren is such a talented artist to speak to so many of our human experiences and to show us a positive way forward.
Excellent breakdown. Ren is such a talented artist. Originally from Wales, he has busked for years in Brighton, England. His rapping skills are amazing too. Creative Brits at their best 💪
Great react my guy. Ren is so talented and has a amazing back catalogue of work. He is like a bard bringing conversations to the world. Enjoy the ride 💙keep stepping forwards.
Ive been obsessed watching reaction vids to this. I'm so loving watching people as the song progresses. You're the only one so far that's mentioned Best Rapper Ever...props for that. It's my fave Tom Mac song and Hi Ren is like that,only next level
Middle Aged White Guy does a great reaction to Best Rapper Ever
Brilliant, brilliantly detailed analysis of the lyrics and interpretation behind them. Many many Ren "addicts" here (he really does get you hooked and is as addictive as drugs but instead of numbing the pain as drugs do, he helps you acknowledge it and explore it...) will have watched, as have I, countless reactors who each add layers of different thread to this rich tapestry Ren has woven, but yours certainly is a golden thread highlighting the finer details, very enjoyable watch. New sub here courtesy of Ren (you'll get a few of us joining you, I have no doubt. I look forward to you foraging the Ren rabbit hole and sharing your take on his other material. Chalk Outlines is a firm favourite of mine (a collaboration with Chinchilla) but honestly, there's not one that hasn't both surprised and excited me and so many get stuck in your head. He's out of this world gifted. In fact I think he's a Gift to the World
I will always go as deep as an artist will allow me…. Some fanbases appreciate that level of detail in a reaction, others don’t. The trick is finding the ones that do, because I will not compromise my style, for the ones that don’t.
Typically I will “feature” an artist and have 2-3 in rotation, and swap artists in and out as needed. In order for me to “feature” an artist on the channel, I have to like them first of all, they have to have the substance necessary to breakdown, and their fanbase has to be engaged with this kind of reaction… Ren and you guys hit all those categories so far, so their is definitely more of him to come here!
Thanks for watching. 🙏
Great reaction!!
Your tangled headphone cable is giving me ocd and anxiety :D
Dude I straighten that cord out all the damn time and it just curly q’s back around like that. 😂 I’ll try to remember to untangle it right before I do the next Ren reaction for you!
Great Ren Review!!! ♥ Mahalo from Hawaii! 🌴 🏄 ♥ ☀ 🌊
Complete and in depth reaction to the lyrics! Love it
39 reviewers have now done Hi Ren, still not grown tired of listening to you guys break it down.
Your attention to detail is incredible, it took me several listens and a lot of time to properly decipher thing song, but you did it so well on your first time. You're gonna love Ren!
Thank you… this is essentially how I have been listening to music since I was 15 or so… without the monologues obviously because the internet was still barely a thing and there was no one around to talk to!🤣
We listened to a lot of bone, and twista and stuff like that growing up, me and my buddy would sit down with a pen and pad and our cassette player and listen to snippets of songs over and over again until we were satisfied with our translations and then move on to the next section and do it all again.
What you see me do on these videos is simply just a refined version of that.
I’m not always right, Sometimes I miss stuff on the first listen, sometimes I fail to fully grasp the context, and definitely, without a doubt…some of my videos and ramblings are much, much better than others…. But it’s a real raw first impression, typically unedited (I only edit out long family interruptions of several minutes +), so you see it all from start to finish….
Now if I wasn’t fairly confident that I was going to get it mostly right, I would definitely not do it this way! 🤣
Thank you.❤
I've watched about 2 dozens reactions to this so far. Your breakdown was fantastic. Well done my man
I had so much fun watching this along with you.
Do Jennys tale, Screethch"s tale and Violets tail in that oeder. its a trilogy. It will blow you away. Then do Chaulk Outlines.Shit do it all. Welcome to the Ren Gough Rabbit Hole. Your find out about his illness and his tragic story that is finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Hes actully in the hospital again right now. Id say pray for him, but just enjoy his art and share it
Ren is the rock opera artist of today. His talent is crazy good. His understanding is unbelievable. He can do it all...better than any of his contemporaries.
Yes its true, he battles with Lyme disease both physically and mentally hes story is even more impressive with his coupling of his art.
Yo!! Robert Jordan is my favorite author!!! Amazing series!!!
This is the most in depth reaction I've seen. You're very perceptiv, man. Impressive
This is not just a song, this is a performance... a play. I've never seen or heard something like this. And I'm 36, I've heard a lot of stuff 😂
Powerful and inspirational
Great in depth review and analysis. I stumbled upon your channel checking reactions to this Hi Ren video. Really enjoyed yours, so much so, that without knowing anything about your channel, I immediately subscribed. I’m a little puzzled by the Playboy and two containers of Aunt Jemima up on the shelf behind you. I’m assuming you’re in Cleveland or at least a Browns and Indians (wait, I mean Guardians) fan. Then I saw the Redskins cap and now I’m thinking that maybe the shelf is an homage to all things canceled. I have that same mug by the way. I am going to move on to your review of that Tale of Jenny and Screech, but I see it’s like 36 min long, so I don’t think I can do it now. I see Tom MacDonald in your videos. Will look to see if you did his “America” track.
Lol, you absolutely understand all things about the shelf behind me! I am around Cleveland, it IS an homage to all things cancelled, and the playboy is a 1967 Sharon Tate edition, she is one of the victims of the Charles Manson cult, I found that issue at an antiques shop, sealed in plastic for 6 bucks… couldn’t pass that up, especially considering mint copies go for hundreds… sprinkled amongst the cancelled and Cleveland items (or in some cases cancelled Cleveland items) are just random things that make me… me!
A football card that I hand made as a child for a player I made up in my head, a hit wheel car that I bought from big fun a few years before they closed their Cleveland location, final fantasy 7 ps2 and remake for ps4, walking dead bottle of wine, pickle Rick gummy from Rick and morty… etc. etc.
And yes I have done america by tom Macdonald… in fact I have done damn near 100 songs from him, so if you want a reaction to any one in particular, chances are I have done them…. I started the channel with him though so the quality is not there on the earlier ones.
@@MAWGReacts sorry for the delayed response, I was on a con call for the past 90+ minutes. Thank-you for the extremely prompt and detailed response. I was able to check out the Ren trilogy (and again, great analysis). I’m sure I am older than you as I am nearing 65, so I do remember that whole Sharon Tate tragedy (such a beautiful woman). I also checked out and enjoyed your Rittenhouse verdict reaction and perspective and I watched the Let’s Go Branden reaction. I’m sure you’re very familiar with Bryson Gray and Tyson James, so I’ll be scrolling and trolling your vids. I also noticed you shaved between Ren vids. Do you suggest I go new to old or old to new or just scroll and pick?
My core style hasn’t changed… so any reaction you pick is going to essentially follow the same format as what you’ve been watching. But the sound quality and video quality increases the newer you get, and the intros weren’t as refined at first so I sometimes would spend several minutes talking before we got into the songs… nowadays I want all my intros no more than 2 minutes long and ideally around 1 minute total. So if you aren’t a stickler for those types of things, I would suggest just picking songs and artists you like and go from there…
This is only a hobby for me, any money I make goes back into the channel so far, so I can’t upload every day multiple times like other channels, so while I have damn near 300 videos, there isn’t a huge spread of artists…. I have playlists made for any artist I have done 3 or more reactions too so I would start there if you want to see the artists we have spent time covering.
If it were not for the quality of your reactions I would have never heard of this guy. Outstanding reaction to an outstanding piece. Thank you.
Love your reaction only 5 minutes in and loving it.
Found ya today an Sub'd ya, on the way to 6k. Here for #Ren an you always ❤️
My contribution - The Book of Revelation ! Not revelations , big difference .
I found this Hi Ren video yesterday and I have been watching EVERY reaction video for it mainly because I just can't stop watching it . Two months posted
and it has close to 7 million views , obviously there is talent there and as soon as I can pull myself away from Hi Ren , I am going to check out his other
video's . What a 9 : 19 minute ride this is , the UK putting artistry back in music . Great reaction MAWG , love your infectious , positive vibe .
Great reaction, found your channel through this video. Liked and subscribed. If you decide to check out more of Ren, The tale of Jenny & Screech (full) is a trilogy that really showcases his incredible story telling.
Oh there will be more Ren… like I said, one hell of a first impression!
Thanks for watching! 🙏
Mental health is pushed to the back soooo bad and Ren is speaking the truth dude!!
Loved that reaction, great insights... man at 25:38 you looked like you just did a few rounds with Tyson 😂😂 got you a new sub, and cant wait for you to start going through is stuff, everyone is a knockout... #GetWellSoonRen
That was a great reaction 😊 I just saw this 4 days ago for the first time 🤯 I had to watch several times to catch everything if I even have heard it all yet. He was signed with a record label when he became I’ll. The record company dropped him (probably the silver lining in what he has been through) He had misdiagnosed Lyme disease and he said he spent the next 8 years basically bed ridden with chronic pain and everything else that came along with it. My second song from Ren was Sick Boi. 😊
There is little parts of the song that sound like there not completely refined, when the song was recorded it was the first take and that could be the reason as why it sounds like that which just makes the whole performance and song more incredible
One middle aged white guy to another?
Yeah. Fucking amazing isn't it? You're going to get a bunch of suggestions for what to listen to of his next (including mine - Chalk Outlines (live) w/Chinchilla) pay them no mind. Dig in. Listen to everything he's recorded. He's worth it. You're going to find a LOT of powerful shit in his catalog. There is pain there, to be certain. But there is beauty as well. And there is hope. I wish I'd heard him a decade ago so that I could have been enjoying his art for years. I will be now, though.
A rabbit's hole is properly called a warren. Welcome to the warRen.
The authentic recognition of his genius is what I've been looking for in these reaction videos. It is so fun to watch it come over people a little bit at a time. I don't think we human beings get the chance often enough to be in the presence of authentic real genius. It's a beautiful thing. Cheers brother🍻
Any sort of discordant sounds you're hearing in the guitar I think are intentional. He's very skilled, I think he's just setting a tone with the little imperfections
One of the most important aspects of this song is the presentation of the idea that we need to stop presenting these battles as being against some kind of mythical "evil". The truth is that we all have this light and dark dichotomy inside us (to varying degrees) and that's where "evil" comes from. Dressing this up into a supernatural force makes people powerless against it. If we instead realized and accepted that all humans have this internal conflict it would be much easier for people to develop the tools to deal with it and overcome the worst of it. If people could understand that these frustrations, this self-sabotage, the invasive thoughts, addictive actions or negative behaviors were a natural part of human psychology and not some kind of mythical all-powerful supernatural being outside of ourselves and beyond influence then maybe it would be far easier for people to overcome these things, or even see them as strengths and a source of motivation or inspiration?
Great reaction.
I hope you'll check out the Tale of Jenny and Screech. It's a trilogy that you have to see in order (Jenny, Screech and Violet) to understand it and get the impact of the ending.
Ren really is a master at presenting discussions of human psychology and behavior in a digestible and creative way, a lot of people probably don't even understand that this is what he's doing, he does it that well.
Very well written and very true. He has verbalised my thoughts so perfectly. I can see him writing the most amazing gritty musical/theatre production.
Really well put, thank you.
🌈Fantastic reaction!! Looking forward to "The Trilogy"!! Sending lots of Love XoXo #HOG #RHEC 💖🧡💛💚💙💜
I take it back. This is my favorite reaction! Great job!
“Dawn of creation” can also refer to you being born
Best reaction analysis I have seen on this song. Well done! I subscribed.
Loved your reaction! I couldn't hit play fast enough when I saw that you reacted to this. I discovered this young man about 4 weeks ago and I've now watched every video of him that I could find. This song blew me away, so talented!!!
Here's Ren explaining the song in his words. ua-cam.com/video/M1Na3nQV_8Q/v-deo.html
Watched many reactions to Ren, and by far yours is the best, thanks for spreading this guys Art to others.
excellent reaction my friend, you got it . Ren was misdiagnosed for years with Lymes disease, bi polar, and autoimmune disease, he is still receiving treatment but is improving. he has a fantastic back catalogue on youtube , the wormhole is deep,touching, sometimes heartbreaking, but always beautiful, Ren is a poetic genius,a fantastic story teller a real modern day Bard.
Great job breaking this down. #Ren is an amazing brilliant artist / musician. Hopefully you will react to more of his music. Thank you, and Thank you Ren.
Thank you… I’m still trying to wake up this morning and get some coffee in me, but as soon as I get going over here I’m going to react to another one of his.
I have a feeling we are going to see plenty of Ren on this channel! 😂
@@MAWGReacts - Can’t wait to watch with you.
My very favourite reaction yet....greetings from South Africa.
Fantastic reaction and analysis. Definitely one of the most in depth.
Amazing! Awesome reaction! Thanks ❤️ Much Love! #Hangovergang #Hi Ren
This is one of the best reactions I've seen on this...and I've seen them all. Actually you might even have lifted the curse to be obsessed with reaction videos to Hi Ren, since I feel you really catched it all. Thanks mate!
Now could you please remove that Tale of Jenny and Screech curse from me.... subscribed
New sub, Loved ur reaction to this amazing talent! Ty ❤️ from TN
U r so authentic man! Amazing reaction with such great observations. Have seen dozens of other reactions to this truly amazing masterpiece and yours was truly refreshing and emotional. Much respect from far away Israel
Dude ! I have listened to this piece maybe 100 times or more and I have watched most of those with reactors, and yours is probably my favorite. You get it. And you appreciate it. Enjoyed this. Thanks
The video and sound were recorded live with post processing thats why the sounds are not perfect as they would be in a studio recording. Most of his songs are done like this. That is why you see the microphone.
Such an honest and vulnerable reaction. This song came into my life just when I needed it with mental illness and SUD. I LOVE reactions from people who get it.
Brilliant reaction
Great reaction. I just subscribed. "Hi Ren" is the song that put Ren on everyone's radar over the past month; it went viral and has garnered more than 3.5 million views since its debut, but he has been creating great music for more than 10 years. Ren’s songs are generally recorded live. His latest release, "Sick Boi," is almost another chapter to "Hi Ren." I am 57 y/o, and I only recently learned about Ren and have gone down this rabbit hole ever since. Many of his songs resonate with me because he addresses struggles that I myself face every day.
A little background on Ren that I gathered from the internet. Ren pursued a career in music from an early age. In 2009, while studying music performance at Bath Spa University, he began to experience health issues and was struggling to attend his lectures. In 2010, he was signed by Sony Records and was working on an album when his health deteriorated to the point where he was unable to continue. His illness often kept him in bed for up to 23 hours a day. Ren was initially diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome. It would take seven years before he was finally correctly diagnosed with autoimmunity, Lyme disease, and resulting brain damage. Ren eventually underwent stem cell therapy in the United States, which improved his health, but it has not been a cure. He is currently in Canada for more treatments.
He plays multiple instruments, has amazing vocals, is an excellent storyteller, and is quite the philosopher and poet. Check out the trilogy "The Tale of Jenny/Screech/Violet." It is haunting and has an unforeseen conclusion; WATCH THEM IN THE STATED ORDER, as this is the flow of the storyline or just watch “The Tale of Jenny & Screech (Full),” which includes “Violet’s Tale at the end. It is another example of Ren’s genius and a master’s class in storytelling.
Ren’s collaborations with Chinchilla (“Chalk Outlines,” “How to Be Me”) are beautiful and showcase his singing voice while addressing mental health. I would watch the official live music videos. "Chalk Outlines" is one of my favorite songs right now. Ren's personal reflections are threaded through many of his songs; "Insomnia," "Depression," “Diazepam," “Penitence,” “Dear God,” “Heretic,” “Dominos,” his "Freckled Angels" album, just to name a few, all deserve a listen. His song "Money Game" (Part I & II) is another recommendation.
His performances with Sam Tompkins (“Blind Eyed,” “Earned it /Mans World / Falling,” “Walking on the Moon), Eden Nash (“Humble,” “Ocean”), Bibi (“Crutch,” “Ahiahiaoha”), Molly McKinna (“Penitence”), his former bandmate, Romain Axisa (“French Song”) are all great. Ren's performances as a member of the band "The Big Push" (which unfortunately broke up) are awesome and well worth checking out, both the busking (street performances) and their live recordings. Ren's covers of "I Shot the Sheriff," "Oh My Woman," "Wade in the Water," "An Englishman in New York," and so many others are equally impressive and really give you a sample of his vocal ability.
Ren just released his latest single, “Sick Boi.” In anticipation of his stay in Canada for more treatments, Ren prepared some music ahead of time to be released over the next 3-6 months that he expects to be gone. "Sick Boi" is almost another chapter to "Hi Ren."
I've lost count of how many "hi ren" reactions I've watched, but this is definitely one of my favorites. I applaud the detail and depth, and vulnerability, of your reaction. Thank you.
Love your reaction man. This is a Ren masterpiece which most can relate to. Hope Ren finds this and comments!! 👍
I haven’t quite yet finished watching your reaction and I’ve wanted to re-like it more times than I can count as I’ve watched how this has connected and hit you - love it!
JUST THOUGHT I'd "chime-in".... No one is really realizing what "da-music" IS! (not-da-story)... From a musician-2-a-musician,
THIS IS an OPERA (of-sorts). The Atlantis Factor = Hy-Brasil thing. Ancient Britannica STUFF - from the isles. I've been playing
(woodwinds, classical strings, reeds, etc.) for ov'r 50 yrs. I could go on BUT that's basically IT! Then-there's-da-story...AMAZING!
I spend hours a day watching Ren reactions, 12 hour night shifts filled with them. I have seen this over 100 times easily and this was one of the best reactions to it I have seen. I’ve definitely subbed to you now and off to check out the rest of your ren ones 🖤
I really liked your reaction, you really broke it down. He is an amazing artist, who through adversity has been able to articulate it and connect with those of us who have gone through similar experiences. Through his artistry, it allows us the opportunity to take a deep breath and realise we are not alone.
Great reaction buddy. As you dive deeper into Ren's rabbit hole, you'll notice connections between lots of his songs. 'She sells sea shells' will have a further meaning in this song.
The reason everything is crude unpolished and imperfectly perfect is cause he does his videos live.
Psalms 139:9 I think is what you were looking for
I didn’t say this in my other comment, but your reaction was the most thorough, respectful analysis of Ren’s lyrics I have seen so far (and I have seen upwards of 30 different reactions to this song). Great job! Also, might I suggest Money Game parts 1-3 next. 💜😊💜
Congrats on finding Ren, and welcome to the Ren Rabbithole. This man is a multi-instrumentalist, multi-genre, storytelling and lyrical genius. Enjoy the ride! 😊❤️🔥😊
I’ve been a RENegade for a while now but I love still having Hi Ren reaction videos pop up. And I watch them all. RENaissance.
Loved your take on this video! I hope to see more Ren coming!
This was a terrific, thoughtful, reaction. You called out some details that only a few other reactors focused on, some of the parts that I find most interesting.
Love your reactions, you’ve gained a new subscriber!
I enjoyed your breakdown of this Masterpiece. Thank you!
I just found you tonight with your reaction to Money Game Part 3, and I LOVED it, so I've subscribed and I'm doing some binge viewing of your Ren reactions
Great reaction and break down! I'm now a new subscriber. Love your hat...we'll get it next year.
Always next year! 😂
All I know is if they don’t put it together next year and go on a run, I don’t think they ever will. We literally have all the pieces.
I've enjoyed all your reactions to Ren so far beard or no beard! Thank you for sharing your experience with us
YESSS!!! My mind was blown every other second. He is a lyrical genius!!! So much expressed in just a few words....consistently! Throughout the entire performance 🤯
Great reaction and breakdown of the song. Loved your insights and feedback.