i'm not crying... not again surely... | Ren "Hi Ren" Vocal Reaction/Analysis
Вставка
- Опубліковано 11 бер 2023
- So many of you requested this reaction.... particularly on the Linking Park "Lost" video. I hope you enjoy the emotional breakdown and caption-Julia's technical breakdown of what happening in this video because this story is a deep one and definitely gets the heart all squeezy and the eyes all leaky.
If you enjoyed this video please like, sub and hit the bell (if you want to).
Original Video: • Ren - Hi Ren (Official...
insta/ @jvoxfox
patreon/ patreon.com/jvoxfox
BMAC/ buymeacoffee.com/jvoxfox
twitter/ @jvoxfox
website/ www.jvoxstudio.com
discord/ / discord - Розваги
After the massive amount of requests for this... here we are... hope you guys enjoy the video and have tissues (or a therapist) on hand. This song is so authentically vulnerable and will speak to so many people who maybe have felt alone with their thoughts and experiences. Huge respect to REN for creating this and putting it out into the world.
Yes, the lyrics, but also the dank scene and flickering lights with his dark side and the music, the tune changes with each side, like opposite tones but the same type of rhythm, calm vs frantic . It’s a creative piece of performance art, a masterpiece. He calls is Bardcore and that is absolutely perfect. He is a modern day Bard, for sure.
What a great thing to say "I'm not sure I want to break down technique on this because I feel like the message is so much more powerful." I think that from a psychological perspective, "hope" is a universal truth and to have hope means you are in a shit situation. Hope is all in on a pair of 2's and we've all been there. So when a person sings of hope in an articulate and artistic expression, it's hits hard.
Edit: Listen to "Violets Tale." Thats a peformance.
Your gonna make me cry too, aren’t you ? Lol
Edit: Yes, yes you are. Lol
Such a great song. That same place is what gets me too. The hope part. Right after he stands
Fully agree with suggestion for Violets tale but definitely need to do the full trilogy with Jenny's Tale and Screeches Tale first
@@Rob-bt3ev YES! It’s a trilogy and must be done in that order and listened to all at once. That way you get the full effect and understanding how each relates to the next. Jenny, Screech and then Violet. And it’s all in one video titled “The Tale of Jenny & Screech”, Violets Tale is at the end of that video even though it’s not listed.
This performance by Ren caught me at my darkest time, I was grieving my wife’s death, arthritis inflamed body and depression. I listened to this song/performance and it gave me hope. I was at a dark place but went into Sunshine. I finally asked for help and received it. Now, it’s the “dance” that I going through.
Happy you are experiencing some sunshine! You got this!
I lost my wife 2 and 1/2 years ago. I was in a state of extreme grief, anxiety and depression.
I could have used this.
🫂
Sorry to hear about your loss, friend. I hope you are doing better now.
I'm sorry for your loss 💔
I am very happy you are doing better and getting help. I am happy you're here with us ❤🙏
Ren is the modern-day bard. And this is the ballad of the soul.
Funny you should say that Ren calls the genre of music he performs Bardcore
@@zebjohnson5580 hahah brilliant
Ballad of the soul…yes.
51 year old strong male here. I teared up the first few times I listened to this song. Even if you don't have a mental illness it still hits you deeply. We all struggle with that inner voice and it is a constant battle between good and evil. It's a master piece and will be known for decades as such.
46m gets me everytime in the hope part when he starts signing
Never actually cried during a song. Have been moved and teary eyed but this one really brought me to tears. Fucking amazing.
It breaks my heart when his voice breaks: "No mate, this time it's different" @2:58
He desperately wants it to be true, but he's afraid just this is just another cycle, another trip through the Mill.
Yep. I'm Bipolar, I'll let you take a guess how relateable that particular line is. In the state I'm in at the moment it's mostly fine, but if I was teetering on the edge and moving towards a downward trending mental state that would easily cause me to break down crying. The back and forth of thinking you put it behind you and finding out that you're about to fall into the abyss again is hellish sometimes.
Also related to the song, but this time about the end monologue - I've yet to always learn how to Dance. Medicated or not 😒
Like the man says.. its a pendulum..
@@Zabiru- Same here buddy. The dance is about acceptance for me. Accepting that there will always be difficult steps, all we can do is try to relax and get through them, learn from them and then enjoy the easier steps again. Even medicated, I'm not 100% none-fluctuating, but it sure has gotten a lot better since I found the meds that works for me. Instead of the deepest of black hole for month's sometimes years, I now just touch the edge of the abyss in the downs and usually only for 2-3 weeks. And the ups are not as intense, and not as long. The euthermia is pretty much the same. Short but blissful.
I hope you find your way in the dance friend.
For me it's the "I was made to be tested and twisted
I was made to be broken and beat
I was made by His hand, it's all part of His plan that I stand on my own two feet
And you know me, my will is eternal
And you know me, you've met me before
Face to face with a beast, I will rise from the east and I'll settle on the ocean floor"
@@randymarsh9488 Personally I'm not religious, so that bit doesn't really speak to me. The bit is as beautiful however as everything else. Although, I can relate to the angry feeling I get when I consider that I just happened to be born with these biochemical imbalances, and when I was younger I screamed how unfair it was. But I also recognize the pride over still being here, and still trying my best at life.
You really need to watch Ren -"chalk outlines" (live), and "how to be me"(live), both ft. Chinchilla. They really show their voices in those songs
"Chalk Outlines" live for sure!!!
Also Crutch ft bibi if you want desperatly, scarringly, vulnerable.
@@arc6017 Seconded! The chills the first time you listen is uncanny
Saw this comment and got really confused, thought I didn’t make this comment 😂😂
Chalk outlines (live) brings me to tears Every. Single. Time. It’s beautiful
Deserves a Grammy for this performance. The good and the bad lives inside all of us because that’s what being human is
I’ve watched this so many times now. So much to admire - but aside from the lyrical genius, the honesty, rawness and sheer musical talent…on top of all that…you are right the way he brings all of this to life in his expressiveness is awesome. He is living it not just singing it. Amazing stuff Ren. All power to you
The awards go to songs about degenerate garbage . Genius like HI REN gets no recognition @ awards time
This is Jungian Psychotherapy in a song.
You don't kill the shadow, you incorporate it, it has qualities that you need to be complete. The last Hoo Hoo Hoo chorus demonstrates what the shadow can bring to your "song"
i hadn't thought about it until i read this, but absolutely. being painfully aware of your shadow and accepting its part in your mind is life-altering. it does feel like a representation of that consolidation.
His takeaway is mostly pure taoism -- relax, be softer, you cannot negate the negative for the sake of the positive -- know the yang but cleave to the yin (learn to dance in that flow), embrace the actual world, be human.
No, it's not.
Just to add to this, the way the lights flicker when dark ren is talking throughout signifies a sort of instability separate from chill ren, and then the last "hoo ho hoo" section after chill ren had fought back with confidence the lights flicker again and to me that signifies his incorporation of the shadow into his more positive self.
@@gSWG3R Yes, it is.
"loosen the noose on the rope" is the line that gets me every time. I've listened to this song probably 100+ times. I've taken someone down from one and remember it every time.
I agree, "the voice that you hear when you loosen the noose on the rope". What is that voice? What does it say? Its so incredibly powerful that it's hard to even put into words.
That line took me down a mental journey that took me over a day to get back up from. Incredible!
Same, I can't watch this and not cry when he gets to that part.
Same. The whole bit when he stands up and starts singing, it just hits me hard. I hope Ren is finding the help he needs in Canada 🤞 Be well Ren
I kind of understand. I was the first one on the scene of a head-on collision and what really sticks with me is seeing a woman's hand sticking up from where the driver's seat was, compressed between the dash and the car seat and there is this little girl, about 9 or 10 yrs old,---the only survivor telling me she can't get a pulse on her mother. How does she even know about a pulse? She was just this little girl. That was 30 years ago and it still sticks with me.
That, and the power & emotion behind, "So cower at the man I've become!"
I'm a multiple attempt survivor, and I think this song sums up the struggle pretty well. I really appreciate Ren for giving a voice to what many people can't understand.
Please never stop dancing- Hear his voice when you think of the rope. His name is Hope.
I completely understand your comment. When I was standing on the edge of the roof top apartment complex looking at the ground, the voices in your head telling you all the negative things that made me want to step off. I sought professional help and it saved my life. This song describes everything I was thinking at the time.
For me it is not that people cannot understand, it is that I cannot find a way to articulate what my internal struggles. I have had a pistol in my mouth and I have never been able to explain what brought me to that point without writing it to myself. That was over 25 years ago and to this day I still cannot put it into spoken words.
For me it was pretty interesting because I am one of the about 20%? who don't have an inner speech/monologe. Made me understand better how most of people work.
Hey Bethany, hope you're doing well.
Like so many others, I found myself deeply moved when first I heard this perhaps a month ago. Since then, I have listened to it dozens of times as I watched others react. It still moves me every time, but how I've been moved has changed as I have taken in other reactions, and comments, as well as the piece itself. People whose musical preferences vary wildly respond to it, and people from strikingly disparate demographic backgrounds. The battle between two sides of ourselves seems to be archetypal. And Ren's resolution of this battle is profound: to relax, to soften, to learn how to dance.
I very much appreciate your reaction -- another human with a substantial analytic faculty struggling to stay in that role even as their emotions surge during Ren's performance. I appreciate your articulation of musical and vocal technique Ren uses to connect, and to communicate.
There's a filmmaker who has reacted to 'Hi Ren" and comments on visual aspects of the work. There are reactions by psychotherapists, by a neurologist, by a psychiatric nurse, by a professor of literature.
Just as 'Hi Ren' is powerful not only because of lyrical content -- but by all the ways his use of his voice, of his guitar, of his rapid seamless switches between characters with their own postures and tones, of the lighting and the camerawork to reinforce the communication taking place -- so do the various reactors reinforce his message as "Hi Ren" elicits layered and nuanced responses from them.
After I first heard 'Hi Ren,' I was loathe to watch other work Ren has available, because I thought it was bound to be a let-down and I wanted to protect the purity of my initial response. However, as the weeks have passed, I've fallen down "the rabbit-hole" of Ren's solo work, his duets with Chinchilla and with Sam Tompkin, and busking performances with a band called 'The Big Push." My respect has only grown for the talent of the artist and for the courage with which he displays his vulnerability -- and for the reactors whose own vulnerability, authenticity, and expertise he seems to elicit. It is beautiful.
Ren is right. This is not original. It is unusual and more fringe, but not the first time something like this has been done, lyrically or musically. But... it is true, and real, and still his story. It resonates for people. It inspires people. There is nothing wrong with bringing a fresh take to an old song/story/feeling. It is completely relevant and worthy of praise. This is art, and life, and is beautiful.
Ren, you are beautiful, brave, and absolutely lovable. Thank you for sharing your gifts and for not giving up.
The thing that gets me is that his acting, writing, singing, etc are all equally amazing. He's the whole damn package.
It's essentially a short theatrical performance. The writing wouldn't work without the performance and vice versa. It might be hard to do a performance like this if it wasn't also his own story.
@@TheBigburcie there was already a cover done that I viewed on UA-cam. it was very well done , but as you suggest very creepy and had a ring of not having any relevance. To go a bit farther I don't think Ren will perform this in public as it would come off a bit like exploiting his own problems for entertainment sake. Does that make any sense?
@@stevenmeyer9674 It makes a lot of sense that he wouldn't do it as a regular item on the playlist, although I could see him doing a variation on occasion. But to the point made at the head of this thread, the more one sees of Ren's work, the more one realizes he's probably a once-in-a-generation talent. The way he - and his team - use all the current mass performance styles and media and modalities - like rap, writing, singing and vocalizing, videography, sets/settings, acting, the art of the band The Big Push...to me it could turn out to be as impactful as Jimi was on the scene in his day.
@steven meyer I know Ren *has* performed this live--I saw a brief snippet of him doing it at Koko in Camden Town towards the end of last year, though I forget where I saw it--but I tend to agree that it needs the full A/V context to "work" properly.
Poetry - theatre - cinema - story-telling - visual art - philosophy - and virtuoso guitar and singing. And yeah - he created the whole thing! AND communication. This is exactly what our artists should be
I don't know what it is about this song, but i NEED to watch everyone's reactions to it.
We can only watch this song for the first time once... and so we recapture that, vicariously, by watching other people discover its beauty.
There is a Neurologist that react to it!
I have the same problem.
@@AndaraBledin possibly. I feel as though I’m searching for a reaction that has not come yet. Like a catharsis that hides in the fringes of memory at the edge of epiphany. Likely it is time to take Ren’s advice. Relax.
Me too. Lol. My son sent it to me a few days ago. Im more Tyson James, Tom Macdonald NF Measus Burden. Actually thought I was ahead on music. LOL. This slipped under my radar.
This is my first reaction video of yours I have watched, as I work through a long list of Hi Ren reaction videos. I like your method of letting the video play predominantly uninterrupted and simply adding thoughts in text form. I feel too many reaction video folks like the sound of their own voice too much, constantly interrupting the video they are watching and repeating or rewinding sections. It shows more respect to the artist to watch the video almost in entirety, and then give a breakdown of your thoughts. Good job!
Ikr?
Much respect to her
Earned a sub!
First time I listened to this I cried.. like ugly cried. I’ve listened to the song and reactions to it hundreds of times (I’ve lost count) and I always tear up. I love that he ends the song with hope; not “I’m all better now”, but there is hope if you learn balance. Learn there is darkness in all humanity and how to relax in order to dance with it and let it go.
It’s really a masterpiece and packed with meaning, nuance, emotion and elements conveying so many parts of the whole experience of mental illness issues.
Thank you for your reaction to this and sharing your thoughts. Be safe and blessings to you and yours.
This song has been the catalyst in creating the most real reactions by all reactors in my opinion. It sucks you in, washes, rinses and repeats throughout the song/experience. Well done.
This is hands down the most significant piece of art I’ve experienced in my life. When I first listened to it it made me cry. Then I’ve seen every reaction I could find and seeing others react in the same profound way I did makes me feel even more validated in my own struggles. Thank you Julia, and thank you Ren.
A lot of young people had that reaction in the early 90s with Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. It was dark, off-putting, raw, challenging, self-examination kind of music. After a decade of vapid hip-to-be-square "ra-ra" music, it was like "My God, someone's finally talking Truth about life." Of course, there were older, and more fringe works around that had that vibe, but to the mass mainstream culture, it was their first taste.
We are all human beings my man.
I had to call in sick to work because I couldn’t function after hearing it for the first time. I was overwhelmed. Since then, I’ve listened to it many many times and his other stuff too. I too have never experienced any piece of art like this. Might be especially hard hitting because I have two brothers with serious mental health issues-who also happen to be huge music fans. Music heals.
@@lisaabel5524 I’m guessing you sent this to them straight away?
You and me both, pal.
"Some people know me as hope
Some people know me as the voice that you hear
When you loosen the noose on the rope"
That line breaks me every time, because I know that exact feeling and voice. That moment where you step down and decide not to. I hadn't really connected the two in the way he does, and it's so beautiful.
That line hits me like a freight train every time I hear it, I believe it's the most impactful line in the world song imo. I'm a disabled person who has lived with an autoimmune illness called Systemic Scleroderma since I was 17yo along with a lot of other traumatic events in my life, the worst of which was losing my mom in January of 2018.
After losing my mom, I was forced to live with family who I never really got along with, it was an ab*sive environment and I was a broken man on the verge of deleting myself by the time I finally my own place.
I've dealt with depression and anxiety since my teens due to my illness and everything else I've been through, I've contemplated deleting myself on several occasions and thankfully I've never followed through with it.
Stories like mine are why "Hi Ren" is blowing up right now, this is one of the most impactful pieces of art I've ever heard in my entire life!
@@bighomiestevethemetalhead8131 I'm glad you didn't delete and thanks for sharing your story. And yeah, there is something deeply human about this song that is touching a lot of people
I feel you there iv been slow close sometimes but the thought of my son and wierdly my dog stopped me..that line hits me hard but i love it
I know that line more than you could ever believe...
That "voice" is so comforting and crushing to hear - its either the end or a beginning of an existence.
This kid is going ro be ficking great!
we know
Ren had described his music as 'bardcore'. As you said, this was not really a song, but a play of sorts. Every time I hear this, I get choked up. The thing is that I've been listening to it at least once every day for the past few weeks. I love how the intensity keeps increasing throughout the performance. IMHO, it ends with an exclamation point. The best part is when he referred to this back and forth as a pendulum, and it is like an eternal dance. No matter how bad things seem to get, it will get better if we are persistent. Never give up hope.
For some reason "Stańczyk" or "The Sad Clown" always comes to mind with this performance.
I’ve completed 70 solar orbits and I haven’t seen an artist burst onto the scene with so much creatively artistic power since Bob Dylan. As an aging musician, I still draw inspiration from young artists like Ren and it gives me hope for future generations. ❤😊
Ren has an uncanny ability to communicate to all of us what he feels in ways that are relatable and demand introspection. Although I have no musical talent he has a way of helping me to invision what it must be like for people who hear music in every thought, sound and sight, especially when I listen to experts like you and the Fairy Voice Mother who have the ability to explain why music affects our emotions. I think you will also enjoy watching Ren and Chinchilla perrform together in "Chalk Outlines" and especially in" How to be me "
“Music in every thought, sound, and sight”
Boy, does that resonate…
I am an artist with autism and ADHD, and all the world to me seems the web of an elusive spider ill-versed in the efficiency of geometry… all things interconnected generating limitless comparison by group but therefore also meaningless in the ubiquity…
and I cannot *find* the spider for the most obvious reason.
You earned a sub from me because you let the artist play out the way they intended. I hate when reactions stop songs every 5 seconds destroying the rhythm and tension. The way you add tidbits and perspective in text is clever and I really appreciate it.
I think to avoid copyright issues the reactor has to pause or talk over portions.
I'm not a UA-camr. it's just what I've heard some say in response to people in
the comments complaining about someone stopping to react in a reaction
video.
My opinion, obviously, but if you want the original video without interruptions then watch just that. These are a different animal. I want feedback. And saving all your thoughts for the end can cause one to forget maybe all the things they want to say. Reaction videos need this input
@@patrickcarlin9477i will never understand people who watch reactions but get mad when they react
@@jyesucevitz If the uploader doesnt have the copyrights lifted up then yes, they have to pause every so often.
But uploaders can contact the copyright holders to lift it for their video. Most reactors with proper reactions (read: added value) get those permissions.
@@jayhop I think their point is when the reactor pauses the video is breaks the flow for the reactor themselves, not really the people watching. Can you really have an honest reaction to a song when you stop it every 5 seconds?
I understand why they do, and I don't mind really, but if someone has never listened to a song, it's best to listen to it all the way through to understand how it's meant to flow and sound.
The common denominator of reaction videos of Hi Ren is the relatability of the performance. We all have that doubting voice. And the to and fro between it and our Yang to its Yin is constant when we're disturbed. The hope section is beautiful. I love your reaction, it's different to others but it's the same, it's visceral, it's emotional, and it's human. "And we must not forget that we are human beings" . X
While i can 100% agree with everyone elses song suggestions so far, a different songs from Ren i also want to suggest "The Tale Of Jenny and Screetch". It is a 13+ minutes 3 parter. It further highlights Rens guitar skills and incredible storytelling abilities (Tissues recommended)
This one is a wild wild journey for sure
Ren is a master of storytelling but he is also very good in every genre you must dive deeper into him to appreciate his many talents i have broke into tears many times but in a good way
I'll definitely second that!
This trilogy is something to behold. Amazing start to end
This one is a must.
Thank you for your genuine, heartfelt reaction. “Hi Ren" is the song that put Ren on everyone's radar since December; it went viral and has garnered more than 6 million views since its debut, but he has been creating great music for more than ten years. Ren’s music videos are generally recorded live, often in a single take, although not necessarily the first take, and from various camera angles. His release, "Sick Boi," is almost another chapter to "Hi Ren." Many of Ren’s songs resonate with people because he addresses struggles that many others face every day.
Ren plays multiple instruments (acoustic, electric, and bass guitar, piano, drums), has impressive vocals, is an excellent storyteller, and is quite the philosopher and poet. He is considered by many a modern bard; he calls his music “bardcore.” Ren’s earliest recordings on UA-cam are from his time in a band called “Trick The Fox,” consisting of Ren and his buddies Charlie and Tommy. Unfortunately, the band performed only briefly due to Ren’s onset of health issues. They are very talented. A fun clip to watch is “The Mash Up.”
Ren’s trilogy "The Tale of Jenny/Screech/Violet" has been likened to a Shakespearean tragedy and is a prime example of his genius; it is a master’s class in storytelling and also showcases his guitar skills. The three acts are haunting, and the conclusion will catch you off guard. The trilogy needs to be watched in the order given, as this is the flow of the storyline and is best watched as a whole rather than piecemeal.
Ren’s collaborations with Chinchilla (“Chalk Outlines,” “How to Be Me,” “Sexual Healing,” “One Dance/Drunk in Love”) are beautiful and showcase his singing voice. His live music videos are especially impressive. 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, although it is less of a personal song than it is an indictment of greed and the resulting injustices in this world.
Ren’s Hip Hop/Rap style songs are all worth checking out if you enjoy this genre; they are pretty amazing. Check out “The Hunger,” “Genesis,” “What You Want,” “Losing it (FISHER rap retake),” “Right here, right now (Fatboy Slim one shot retake),” "Life is Funny," “Love Music (Parts 1, 2, and 3),” “Crucify Your Culture,” “Power,” and his latest release, “Bittersweet symphony (The Verve retake).”
As I recently discovered, Ren also recorded a cover of “Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis Cover),” that is simply beautiful. Then there are his performances with Sam Tompkins (“Blind Eyed,” “Earned it /Mans World / Falling,” “Walking on the moon/No Diggity”), Eden Nash (“Humble,” “Ocean”), Bibi (“Crutch,” “Ahiahiaoha”), Molly McKinna (“Penitence”), his former bandmate, Romain Axisa (“French Song”), which are all great.
"The Big Push" busking sessions, concerts, and live recordings all are awesome and well worth checking out. Their covers of "I Shot the Sheriff/Road to Zion/Hip Hop," "Wade in the Water/Nina Simone/Trouble so Hard," "An Englishman in New York," “Bongo Bong,” “War Pigs,” the songs "Oh My Woman," “Swan Song,” “Sweet Little Lady," "It's Alright," "Watch Out," “Dignity,” and so many others are equally impressive.
In anticipation of his stay in Canada for more treatments, Ren prepared some music ahead of time to be released over the next six months that he expects to be gone. He released “Sick Boi” and “Bittersweet Symphony (The Verve retake),” which is another masterful work. Ren has hinted that he might release his newest song on March 29, which is his birthday.
There you are
As always. Consistent. Persistent.
The Army of Ren marches through.
Grab your ketchup and crunch away my friends.
Thanks for the rundown of songs as I’m still exploring. Deeply impactful.
This performance, being a one take is an absolute master piece.
Your written breakdown during the first half of the song for a common non musically taught person is so helpful. Thank you for being open and so connected with your audience. Much love.
Ren hits everybody he is a one of a kind. But you have to know there`s a funny side of Ren as well. Enjoy the ride with Ren and his band Big push.
I also highly recommend his younger material with the group "trick the fox"
Even here in this song you get glimpses of his humour, with the Eminem, Plan B retorts and the creative process bit too.
@@mattmid7012 Yeah, taking a step back, those are *amazingly* good retorts to *himself* making this song. But... in context, they are just *savage* too. The fact that he can play both layers with that... is just...
@@mattmid7012 And how dark Ren trolled Ren with that "Sea shell" nursery rhyme taken form an earlier piece "money Game Pt 2"
Julia, I've never seen your reactions before. Especially appreciated the written notes as we went along, allowing the performance to play out with minimal interruptions. Those combined with watching your face told me that you felt every emotion I did when I first came across this masterpiece. The monologue at the end, is autobiographical. He was ill from 17 for about a decade with undiagnosed Lyme disease. The psychosis was part of the symptoms. Finally, he's getting some treatment in Canada, and hopefully can be restored to health. At one point you mentioned this was like a whole story....... and so, from here you really MUST go to Jenny & Screech, a trilogy telling one story complete, and what a story. The ending will surprise and shock. It's a piece of art. From there, you can find some of his more mainstream stuff, leading the busking band The Big Push. These street performances are excellent vocally and musically. Many have described the Ren rabbit hole, and few have ever wished to escape from it!
Heard this probably a hundred times now and I still find new little meanings in everything from lyrics to cadence to cinematography. It's art, pure and simple. I survived and learned how to dance my dance, at least for now. I'm not alone, you are not alone. We are not alone.
We are all human beings
Most of us ugly cried hearing it for the first time. Most of us didn't have a camera staring at us thankfully. But don't worry, you still looked gorgeous as always! 💜
Really hope you go down the Ren rabbit hole. There are a few more really hard hitting videos that are brilliant, but he also has some fun and uplifting ones. For pure singing, highly recommend Chalk Outlines, How to be me, and any of his live busking videos with Sam or The Big Push.
bro. you gotta do "Ren - The Tale of Jenny & Screech (Full)" it's emotional, and interesting in terms of different styles of singing.. and good content. right up your alley!
100% this
Bro?
absolutely this. that trilog with violet's tale shows you the amazing storyteller he is.
@@BrandonWestfall bro
The personal advice I take from this song is in that dance metaphor in the ending monologue. The more you resist, the more you frustrate yourself about your inability to change things.
I can let a lot roll off my back, but one of my biggest issues is a cycle of trying to find answers to something I don't have answers to. I'm now actively trying to avoid overthinking my problems. It's not something I can do for societal issues that depress me because it feels too much like apathy, but actively staying out of my head is very helpful for more personal mental issues.
Try somatic and nonverbal therapy. It does not require mental/verbal articulation to heal your nervous system and the old wounds carried deep in your tissues. Often, that is a great way to begin to get a base line, and to be able to climb out of the old grooves in the record of inner torment.
~Peace~
@@Amitabha108 Diazepam was what I used after some bad news hit. Now I'm doing okay just thinking about other things. Appreciate the suggestions, though.
"That which you resist persists."
@@nathandts3401 Ren made a song called Diazepam! It's one of my favorites!
When you look at most jewels, they appear beautiful enough, but when you see an exquisitely fashioned diamond, with all of its numerous glistening facets, you can become awestruck. This song is a diamond. It transcends most beautiful tunes with its message for all who suffer. This work is a gift of hope and life to others in pain, and I am grateful to artists like Ren Erin Gill...
What Ren has achieved is to facilitate many thousands of people to talk about mental issues they or their family/friends have experienced, because of this "you are not alone" has become a reality, not a cliche. He has also contributed to the understanding of mental issues amongst those who have not suffered and brought together all generations, genders, faiths, professions & nationalities.Mental health knows no boundaries and neither do those who have reacted & responded to Ren's art. Thank you for your honest and informed reaction.
I was wondering when you were going to get around to this one... FINALLY! ;)
I've watched his video of this song probably about a hundred times now, and I still tear up when he talks about the voice that you hear "when you loosen the noose on the rope".
For me this is a new Level of Music. Its Art and pure Emotion. Never been there, a new category. Great reaction ,
I'm coming to this a year late, but i wanted to commend you for being so honest with your emotions. It's a hard thing for most people let the world see them cry. Your courage to sit there with tears running down your face, letting them flow is a beautiful thing.
I have lived with that voice, that imposter syndrome, that other part of me that said everyone else would be better off without me for most of my life. It wasn't until i was 48 years old that i realised i had to make changes or i wouldn't see my children grow up.
Starting estrogen, and blocking my testosterone 8 years ago at the age of 48 was what finally allowed me to relax by unlocking emotions other than rage, and depression. That dance has gotten easier, the voice that induced me to try to unalive myself multiple times for more than 30 years got quieter. It's still there telling me i'm not worthy of good things, but it's slightly more manageable now, and it hasn't actively tried to kill me in over 5 years.
At 56 years old i feel more human than i have in decades. ❤
This song is both heartbreaking and beautiful... So glad I discovered Ren
Sometimes you come across a piece of art that doesn't need too be overly analyzed and that's ok. Sometimes we just need to sit back and watch and do our best to help this artist spread his message to the world. Anyone struggling with mental illness should see this. This is the type of artistic expression that could save lives.
I'm so glad all of my fav reactors did this. I love this so much. Ren, his music, his message, people's reaction to it... This guy's blowing up on youtube and rightfully so.
1 take, live, with mic and guitar plugged in. Listen to this all the time. Deal with the mental health issues all the time. Always a struggle every day. Some days are way worse than others. Did not help with the loss of someone to suicide. Such a good song. Always reminds me to think on the positive side of things. “You can get through today.”
This song honestly hit me like a train. I was recently diagnosed with a second autoimmune disease, so I'm still in the trenches, waiting to stand up before I can dance. This is such a powerful narrative and I love that each of the reactors I watch add their own acceptance of not only the beautiful art that Ren pulls off, but how each of us survive the narrative. Thank you so much for that and your honest emotions. ♥
As you wait to stand, learn to dance in your mind, be ready and may your recovery come soon.
Dance in your chair. Dance in your bed. Dance in the trenches. You cannot wait until you're ready to dance, because it is the dance that will get you there in the end. I believe in you.
This is a masterpiece of modern art. I have struggled with mental health my entire life. Although it has mostly manifested itself in depression, I have the genetic pre-disposition for schizophrenia, bi-polar, and multiple personality disorder. These things loom over me constantly, a constant reminder that even if my depression gets better, there's something much worse that could await me in the future. As an ex-vangelical...someone who grew up in the church, and as someone who has struggled with mental health, I deeply relate to the dichotomy of self represented in this video. "The pendulum between good and evil" (paraphrase). I have broken away from the religion of my parents and now as an adult, I am realizing that mental health and religion are intertwined. I will always be fighting a battle within my mind and it's art like this that makes me not feel alone.
Finally. LOL
I have been waiting for you to react to this one specifically.
Spoiler, watch for his power move towards the end, singing, playing, and a leg lift and shake.
I can't believe how grounded he is in his own style.
The celebration of understanding, while realising the facets are all still there?
.
"The dance got easier".......?
@@rogerstarkey5390 it's a lot more than that. When you play and sing, it takes stability to get the desired results, most people can't play and dance around, and certainly most people can't sing and dance, combine them both and you have to REALLY have some chops to pull it off. This isn't the only time I've seen him do it. That was my point.
Wow. Excellent analysis with a lot of feeling and reality of what we have just seen in this video. A human being who speaks of his reality through music. And you Julia explained it in a very professional but above all human way. Thank you julia! Greetings from Venezuela.
Loved your reaction. "Hi Ren" has changed my life. No lie. "Learned to Relax and Soften." Thanks for your transparency, Julia.
Welcome to the world Ren. Buckle up. This young man is literally redefining music and art, and resonating globally!
Oh WOW, I hope Ren watches this one. He's known for watching reactions to this song, and your analysis of it at the end is incredibly well articulated and complete in it's scope. I've watched A LOT of these reactions, and I've watched a good chunk of your videos because being an amateur, self taught vocalist, you are incredibly insightful. This completely blew my mind and far surpassed any expectation. Both vocally breaking down the physicality used he uses, but especially on the bits about mental health. As a sufferer of BPD2 and CPTSD you absolutely nailed it, and put some things into words that I've never been able to explain. Amazing job.
Mental illness is a story of extremes often. I have watched many different reactors react to Ren, probably a hundred times now. Each time, it blows me away with not only how it affects me personally but how others from all walks of life are impacted. This was art, a brilliant performance in every way. Yes, it also triggers my crying.
I have had anxiety for the past 10 years and haven't left the house much over the past few years. I have recovered from PTSD and self harming/suicide ideation in my younger years. I also talked to and supported many people when I was a phone counsellor on a crisis line many years ago. So I know what struggles people have/go through in maintaining a sense of wanting to stay around. Ren's message resonates with me as an artist and as a person. I produce photography for myself first and foremost. The critic in me has lessened over time. It is still a part of me but I have a stronger 'voice'.
Love your reaction Julia. This video, more than any other brings a 'roundness' to your presence here. It showcases your humanity, your vulnerable side and that brings a strength and beauty to you in your reaction. I highly respect you as an artist, as a guide through the music world. The melding of your vulnerable side and your intellectual side completes you. I respect that. Ren's performance and your words are powerful. Thank you. Rich
OMG finally somebody gets it right! I subbed instantly! The format you use where you put your thoughts in text instead of pausing every few moments is brilliant. So much more enjoyable to absorb imo. Cheers
I connect with music on such a visceral level, that if music wasn't in my life.......
thank goodness we have music to explore
Music saved my life. Music saves lives.
This is perfect. Very profound and griping.
wow Julia....thank you for being so real and vulnerable like that. That's a really scary but honorable thing to accomplish and I applaud you and as for Ren....well let's just say he's a modern day Bard on a mission of hope and integrity in the face of adversity. I too bawled like a baby when I first watched this and I still do at times but for different reasons now.
First it’s lovely to see another Australian creator here.
Secondly, isn’t this just… JUST! I can’t believe this young man has slipped through the musical radar.
There’s no way anyone else could have done this so well, I think you have to go through it yourself.
Best young artist I’ve seen in a long time
- Sharon
I've struggled with mental health issues since my teens. I'm almost 36 now and it has been and always will be a daily struggle... Also, as a musician i can definitely relate to his doubts about his music and his legacy he'll leave behind and doing something worthwhile with his life and have people remember him once he's gone.. His bit about "the brighter the light shown the darker the shadow it cast" is very true. One day you feel great like you can take on the world and then the next day you dont even have the will to get out of bed... I feel like most people can relate to this song. Everyone has the internal battle with oneself. The eternal never ending dance inside your head. And if you say you don't, then you're in denial... I had never heard of this artist until now but I've looked him up and will be listening to more of his stuff. We need more artists that address the issue of mental health. The whole reason behind music is to make one feel emotion and change moods. Music in itself is inherently directly linked with mental health... I've been listening to this song on repeat for the past 30 minutes whole writing this comment. For anyone struggling with mental health issues, don't give up. on the days when you feel the world is against you, remember that It's not a bad life... just a bad day. And things will get better.
The song hits you like a hammer, because if you've ever had experiences and problems with it, you know exactly what he's talking about and can relate and understand a lot. This piece of art will appeal to many, just as it did to me, it will help many to identify with it and hopefully also to draw strength from it. Mega brave and strong to make a song like this and share personal experiences in this way. I could write and say endless things about this song, but that would go beyond the scope here.
Thank you for your wonderful, warm and open reaction
I cry while watching every reaction video of this piece of art. (And like and comment)
Since I’ve first seen the vid I can only see three characters; it’s difficult to think it’s one man.
This is so beyond special and one of the most powerful pieces of music I have ever heard.
This is the exact representation of how i was struggeling with my demons inside my head. Always telling me that i'm not good for anything and that voice would just never shut up.
Adding a line from "chalk outlines" , a song of his that btw you should react too:" i'm scared of being ok because all things change" that line hit me harde than i could have expected.
Whew, yes that was a reaction, and one of the most honest and real that I have seen to this incredible piece of art. We all need to look after each other way better than we typically do. So a massive hug to anyone who is reading this and needs one right now, not least Ren himself who has been going through the mill in treatment in Canada this last month.
Great reaction/analysis to a life-changing song. And Thank you Ren
this song is just a reminder that music is therapy. the line about the charcter of "hope" being "the voice in your head as you losen the noose on the rope" hits very close to home for me, every single time I hear it.
if you want more of his singing capabilities, Id recomend "Chalk Oulines"
The trifecta is complete! Elizabeth, lolli and now julia! I think this may be my 100th reactor video om this song and it never gets old. Great breakdown as usual julia and a true human reaction to it.
Yes you did my request!!I love you Julia!!! ♥️♥️♥️
This is one of the best reactions of hi Ren
I watch them all.
Thank you.
You need to watch Ren - "chalk outlines" .
And "hope" from NF
This song is going to save lives.
It's going to turn potential "victims" into "students"
I must have watched more than 250 reactions to Rens art now. This was definitely one of my favourites, not only for the wide scope of the analysis, but for the same reasons his work resonates so strongly with me. Sincerity, openess and empathy are remarkably important traits in human beings and you display all of them here. Thank you so much for allowing others to experience this with you, and have further reminders that although we all walk different dark paths others walk them too and we are not truly alone even when it seems we are. Liked and subscribed, and looking forward to both more analysis of Hi Ren and his other work but also to look through your other videos.
There seems to be more than a few of us expressing the same sentiment?
.
Julia recounted a good 80-90% of the "intricacies" with one viewing.
Impressive.
One of the best 'Hi Ren' reactions I've seen!! I hope you do more Ren and his friends!!!
Hi Julia - lovely moving reaction. Subbed and looking forward to hearing a lot more from you.
It is extraordinary that 'Hi Ren' has such a similar effect on just about everyone:
7:30 Boom! Ren does it again. Yet another reactor feels safe enough and vulnerable enough to open up about their own problems.
10:35 chin quiver, holding back the dam... 10:58 nope, can't do it any longer, have to release the pressure, healing tears begin to flow.
Ren prises open our hearts, our souls. It is so cathartic to just let it out. Thank you for being open enough to let us see that.
My reaction the first time I saw it was almost exactly the same as yours - the waterworks started when he stood up and Hope demanded to be heard.
I must have watched 'Hi Ren' over 100 times at this stage, and it still makes me well up every single time.
You are absolutely correct when you say this can't really be analysed like a song. It's a three-act play set to music. It's performance art.
And in the final analysis, it is therapy. For Ren and for us.
I've said it before and I'll say it again until I'm blue in the face from saying it: Ren is facilitating the biggest group therapy session in the known universe.
Be well, love and hugs from the opposite side of the planet. 🫂
What a beautiful reaction and response. ❤
You can really see how moving the content was for you and how much you care about your community.
Enjoy your Ren journey. It’s heavy, it’s light, it’s never the same twice.
Everyone will be telling you Ren’s story, the Story of The Big Push (band)… etc.
I’m a world of the overly produced, here is someone raw and also unashamed to share like an open book in his songs.
Also, thanks for not being ashamed to cry or be moved. Every time I think I’m done crying, when someone reacting cries to these songs, I do. It’s healthy.
Great reaction and analysis. Personally, I have struggled with these two voices my entire life. I believe that the 3rd voice is what you start hear when you stop fighting your dark/shadow self, and learn to accept it as part of you. I think too often we feel that other voice is just bad or evil, but in essence there is some wisdom in that voice as well. It is there in some ways to balance you out, because if you live in the just good/light voice you can end up moving to unhealthy perspectives as well. It's only in the last few years I have learned to accept that shadow part of myself, and I live in the 3rd voice more consistently. It almost feels like you are at the mid point of the pendulum - those fleeting moments of balance. This was just a brilliant work of art with much wisdom inside.
It's also interesting to watch the escalation that occurred as those two voices fight against each other. When you can soften, they fight is more of a 'discussion' and those pendulum swing are less drastic.
I've had this voice in my head since I was 11 years old. I've never known the way to vocalize it until I heard this song. It was the first time I didn't feel completely alone, not without feeling like I'd be locked away in a padded room. Every positive thought, every positive movement, it's there in my head though, screaming. every minute, every day. Telling me I'm a failure, that no one ACTUALLY cares about me, it's all just pity, a performance, obligation. There's been times I listened and cut myself away from friends and family.
I've been told that I don't appreciate the love I'm given more times than I can count, and who knows? Maybe that's been true. I know there's been a lot of times that I didn't allow myself to see it and turned myself away from it. Times that I didn't give it when I should have. I tried to drown it away with alcohol, I've tried to carve it out with razors and knives.
I've smiled to everyone while telling them I was ok, while inside my head I was screaming and wishing someone would see through the self destruction
Last year I finally admitted I needed help and started seeing a therapist, as well as support groups, medication is helping, I know now it'll never completely go away, but I'm learning to cope and accept myself. Good and bad.
Hope you can keep your chin up.
All the best to you!
Hope you find contentment
Thank you so much for this beautiful reaction! 🙏💖
I like when analytical brain goes into the toilet.😁😅
Im not here for technical analyses in the first place even tho you might be very good at that...but Im watching reactions to Hi Ren because I love to see how people are touched by it, how they...and you did it more than many others which I genuinly loved.....show themselfs and their feelings...to show what makes us all human beings.
We are not alone.
And I liked how your analytical brain sneeked in while being so touched by it and described what you said.
Looking forward to this one Julia! Have a great day.
First time listening to this it hit me like a truck, second time i almost foget that this is all one person, even when two are constantly switching between each other and it just shows how good the visuals assist the vocal choices here you broke down so well.
I think it´s a masterpiece of that topic and knowing his backstory it hits even harder!
Those lyrics spoke to me on so many levels and occasions i can´t count, and there was more than one tear shed by me, even after listening many times to it.
Wow, what a superb and unique reaction and way of breaking down vocals etc!! Oh, and Welcome to Ren's World. This is his masterpiece, but there are infinite sides to Ren and a large back catalogue as he's been creating for a good ten years (I think). The genius of Ren isn't just his acting and vocal skills, his musicianship, composition and poetry, his embrace of theatre and opera, his production skills, energy, intensity, bravery, and emotional intelligence. It's that he can fuse all these talents together thus creating something utterly unique and original. Great reaction!
Incredible reaction Julia. This is such a powerful piece. It has connected with so many people, myself included at such a deep level. I have heard it so many times since I was introduced to Ren though it just weeks ago and it still hits me as hard every time I hear it. When he sings "So cower at the man I've become, When I sing from the top of my lungs, That I won't retire I'll stand in your fire inspire the meek to be strong" I never fail to have tears in my eyes. It is so inspirational!
As raw and painful as this is, it is ultimately a message of hope; that is what makes it bearable.
@Julia Love that you post technical thoughts above rather than disrupt the artistry with constant pauses. Extremely respectful to the content. Superbly done.
I have watched the Hi Ren video as a stand alone at least 20 times and the reactions...easily close to a hundred times. It doesn't matter how many times I hear it, I am, to this very moment, in exactly the same state you find engulfing you right now. Ren saves my life every single day and he doesn't even know me. I have found hope and excitement in his music and have learned to ease up on myself... something I never thought possible.
This song hit me like a brick. It was almost a one for one match for my own internal journey over my life, with less religious allegory but still the same none the less. Ren is right, we are all Human Beings. We all live this in our own way and we should never forget that. It is the most real thing I have heard or seen in years.
Разкошна реакция, поздрави от България! Рен е съкровище, което си заслужава да се изследва по дълбоко, добре дошла в заешката дупка!
I too have watched a fair few reactions to Hi Ren. I like reactors who actually react.
Analysis has its place, but emotion has a way of cutting through to what is most important.
Thanks for your reaction and Keep Reacting.
As someone who experienced this kind of mental state I only can say this song is such a great work! The message, the music..
this fight he is going through is tough.. but doable. After all dear people, live isn’t meant to be easy.
Keep your head up high people 💪
discovering this song in the middle of the night by accident, just before i wanted to go to bed... it caught me off guard.
the most beautiful thing after this rollercoaster of emotions is that he ends the performance by sharing a sense of strength with all of us.
Your reaction to this is the perfect example of the mental upturned tortoise....Ren, to me, is like a lighting conductor. He brings us all down to earth with a bump.... you're left afterwards like the afore mentioned upturned tortoise..... Pure Art
You are the first reactor I have seen mention the “third character”. I have always seen it from the first time I saw this video about a week ago. I’ve now watched it many, many times. At 5:06 in your video, just after he says “I’ll tie you up in knots as I lock you inside” when he makes that crazy motion- I can’t describe what it is, you will have to go to 5:06 and look to see what I mean- to me, it’s then when his personalities combine, creating the third character. First we see the evil Ren, followed by the good Ren, and rather than speaking from left to right, he is mostly speaking forward as one person from that point on. I only mentioned this because you said you were going to go back and rewatch this. See if that makes sense. Edited to add: he doesn’t play the last note of the song at the end- just before this monologue about The Dance- perhaps to indicate the ‘story’ isn’t over, and that the dance truly is eternal?
This is a piece of genius art to me. I have watched reactions to this video I would say at least 100, because I want to see if other feel like me. Btw I have cried every time including this time. He has helped me cope being chronically ill and having mental illness because of so many elements in my life. His music has gotten me through some really dark times the past 3 or more months.
I loved your reaction because I could see that it set in that he was telling you I feel like this too and he used his face, voice, rap and guitar! ONE MAN DID THAT!
My opinion he can’t be compared to anyone once you hear more music from him. He can do anything! I mean anything! You have to be prepared for Ren, he’s got a huge following right now and having so many things he can do, this is a rabbit hole you want to go down I promise you!!
Please come enjoy the ride!
Please do the Tale of Jenny and Screech Full. It is masterful storytelling, and you get even more of his ability to embody his characters in his songs. He is a modern day bard, just prepare yourself emotionally because it is a doosy. Love your vulnerability and honesty.
This hits me on so, so many levels... It's not often I feel so seen
And you see something new every time.....
Your analyses of the emotion and message - and the takeaway - of this is so spot on…you summarized it perfectly. Thank you so much.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your own vulnerability. I've been battling depression and anxiety for 15 years. It is a dance and it is terrifying to focus on the possibility of having to maintain that dance for the rest of your life. No matter how bad it gets though, the Hope that i hear in my own head reminds me that it is temporary. That's when i see the light at the end of the tunnel, the start of daybreak after the darkest night.
In the last six months, I've lost two friends to the darkness. I had no idea either one of them were struggling. Sometimes I feel like if I had been more open about my own struggles, maybe one or both of them would have been able to open up to me and we would have been able to help each other. I am grateful for artists like Ren and creators like you who are strong enough to let others in to see part of your own struggle to help others know that they are not alone.
Ren spent years suffering from mental illness and Lime Disease. This is his story of the fight he had with his inner self and how he fought to overcome that voice inside of him. This video was live and one take.
Oh. My. Gods.
I've lost count of the reactions to this that I've watched, and been _waiting_ for yours, and you have turned in what is BY FAR my favorite to see (Chase comes kind-of close).
This song didn't hit me as hard, emotionally, because it's been a few months since I FINALLY figured out that Impostor Syndrome is one of the defining aspects of my whole damned life (I'm 64). But I do feel, strongly, that EVERYYONE needs to see it (I only wish it were possible to translate it into. well, every language on Earth, without losing some of the things that make it so powerful).
(Fairy voice mother..... 😱😩)
@@rogerstarkey5390 Eh. Hers was okay. Can't forgive her for chopping up videos, though. I understand, but vehemently disagree with, her position that "I'm here for the voice." Hogwash--it's all part of The Thing.
7:50 That's one of, if not the primary reason I connect so deeply with rock and metal music. And I do truly believe that growing up with and still to this day listening to a lot of that type of music has led to me being a fairly stable person that doesn't really struggle with mental health issues in the ways I see many of my peer millenials struggle.
Rock and metal often is brutal, deals with dark themes, it's violent. But that's what makes listening to it and enjoying it so cathartic. It shows you that there are other people struggling and dealing with anger and frustration, you're not alone. The music lets you channel all this, "let it out" so to speak, in a non-desctructive way. I really do believe that the catharsis that rock and metal brings for the listener helps people be more balanced and happier. This ties into so many things. The music and this catharsis is why metal crowds at concerts and festivals are usually the most chill and friendly, with the least number of violent incidents and crimes committed at these venues, for example.
Ren plays classical piano and is heavily influenced by classical music, yes. You can find a You Tube video, here and there, of him on the piano in train stations, hotels lobbies, and the like. They are extemporaneous piano pieces from this extraordinary human. It is worth the time to check them out. Thank you for your reaction. Powerful.
Ren x chinchilla - chalk outlines (live) is absolutely stunning and brings me to tears every time. Showcases his singing voice.
I’ve explained feelings like this to my wife, to my friends, to my family to no avail.
I hear you loud and clear.
@@valkyrie1066 Show them the video......