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Note: I recommend you watch the video above before reading this article.

In the vast landscape of contemporary music, it’s rare to encounter a piece that stops you in your tracks, demanding your full attention and emotional investment. Ren’s “Hi Ren” is precisely that kind of artistic anomaly—a song that transcends mere auditory experience to become a profound exploration of the human psyche.

From the moment those haunting “Ooooh-ooh-ooh” vocals pierce the silence, you’re transported into Ren’s world—a world that’s both intimately personal and universally relatable. This isn’t just another song about mental health; it’s a visceral, multi-dimensional journey through the complex corridors of a mind at war with itself.

The genius of “Hi Ren” lies in its innovative approach to storytelling. Ren doesn’t simply sing about his inner turmoil; he brings it to life through a masterful display of vocal versatility. As listeners, we’re not just hearing about different aspects of his psyche—we’re experiencing them firsthand. The way Ren seamlessly transitions between voices is nothing short of extraordinary. One moment, we’re hearing the hesitant, self-doubting whisper of vulnerability, and the next, we’re confronted by the aggressive snarl of his inner critic. It’s as if Ren has managed to capture the essence of internal dialogue and translate it into musical form.

This vocal shape-shifting serves a deeper purpose beyond mere technical impressiveness. It allows Ren to personify different facets of mental health struggles in a way that’s both jarring and deeply empathetic. When the inner demon sneers, “You thought you’d buried me, didn’t you? Risky / ‘Cause I always come back,” it’s a moment of chilling recognition for anyone who’s ever thought they’d conquered their inner demons, only to have them resurface. This brutal honesty is what sets “Hi Ren” apart from many other songs tackling mental health issues. Ren isn’t interested in platitudes or easy answers; he’s laying bare the messy, complicated reality of living with mental health challenges.

The lyrics themselves are a testament to Ren’s skill as a wordsmith. Each line is carefully crafted to convey maximum emotional impact while maintaining a poetic quality. Take, for instance, the opening lines: “Hi Ren, it’s me again / I know it’s been a while since we spoke / But I’ve been taking some time to be by myself / Since my therapist told me I’m ill.” In just a few words, Ren establishes the song’s central conflict, introduces the theme of mental health treatment, and sets up the internal dialogue that will drive the rest of the piece. It’s economical yet evocative writing at its finest.

As the song progresses, Ren delves deeper into the complexities of mental health treatment. He challenges the notion that medication and therapy are cure-alls, suggesting instead that true progress comes from understanding and integrating all parts of oneself. This is evident in lines like, “You can’t get rid of me / I’m a part of you / You gotta learn to love me too.” It’s a powerful message that resonates with many who have struggled to find balance in their mental health journey.

But “Hi Ren” isn’t just an auditory experience—its visual component is equally compelling. The music video, shot in one continuous take after four attempts, is a masterclass in visual storytelling. The cinematography mirrors the song’s emotional journey, starting with rigid, controlled camera angles that gradually give way to more fluid, handheld shots as the narrative unfolds. This visual evolution perfectly complements Ren’s lyrical metaphor of life as a dance, suggesting that true growth comes from learning to loosen up and embrace all aspects of oneself.

The video’s use of lighting is particularly noteworthy. Two background lights remain steady when the “good” Ren is in focus, but flicker ominously when his “demon” side takes over. It’s a subtle touch that adds an extra layer of depth to the visual narrative, reinforcing the internal struggle at the heart of the song.

Musically, “Hi Ren” is just as innovative as its lyrics and visuals. The composition is intricate and purposeful, with each element serving the song’s overarching themes. The guitar work, in particular, stands out. Its tone and tempo shift with each of Ren’s personas, acting almost as another character in this internal dialogue. This musical shape-shifting creates a cohesive auditory experience that complements the lyrical content perfectly.

It’s worth noting that “Hi Ren” has been somewhat divisive among listeners. While many hail it as a masterpiece, others have found it challenging or even uncomfortable to engage with. But isn’t that the nature of truly boundary-pushing art? It challenges us, makes us confront parts of ourselves we might rather ignore, and forces us to engage with difficult topics in new ways.

Some viewers have likened “Hi Ren” to a one-man play rather than a traditional music video, and it’s a comparison that holds water. The performance aspect is so strong, so all-encompassing, that it transcends typical music video conventions. Ren isn’t just singing; he’s embodying different aspects of himself, creating a piece of performance art that just happens to be set to music.

What sets “Hi Ren” apart from many other songs addressing mental health is its refusal to offer easy solutions or comforting platitudes. Ren isn’t here to tell us that everything will be okay or that there’s a simple fix for complex mental health issues. Instead, he offers a more nuanced, realistic perspective. When he sings, “I’ve been taking some time to be by myself since my therapist told me I’m ill,” it’s a stark reminder of the reality many face in their mental health journeys. But he doesn’t stop there – he goes on to challenge the very notion of what “healing” means in the context of mental health.

In a culture that often pushes for quick fixes and complete “cures” for mental health issues, Ren suggests a different approach. Rather than trying to eradicate the parts of ourselves we find difficult or uncomfortable, he advocates for integration and acceptance. It’s not about making the “bad” parts go away through therapy or medication; it’s about finding a way to coexist with all aspects of ourselves, even the challenging ones.

This message of self-acceptance and integration is particularly powerful in the context of mental health discourse. Too often, mental health struggles are framed as battles to be won or enemies to be vanquished. Ren turns this narrative on its head, suggesting that true progress comes not from defeating our demons, but from learning to dance with them.

As the song reaches its conclusion, Ren leaves us with a powerful image: “Life’s a dance and it’s hard when you’re stiff / But if you soften and move with the flow / It gets easier.” It’s a beautiful metaphor for the mental health journey – not as a linear path to “normalcy,” but as a constant process of adaptation, acceptance, and growth.

In conclusion, “Hi Ren” is more than just a song – it’s a multifaceted artistic experience that pushes the boundaries of what music can do. From its innovative approach to vocalization to its striking visuals and nuanced exploration of mental health, every element of “Hi Ren” works in harmony to create something truly unique and impactful.

Ren has managed to turn his inner world into art, and in doing so, he’s given us all a new lens through which to view our own mental landscapes. Whether you find it beautiful or challenging, comforting or unsettling, there’s no denying the power and authenticity of what Ren has created.

So if you haven’t already, give “Hi Ren” a listen. Better yet, watch the video. Engage with it, wrestle with it, let it challenge you. It might just change the way you think about mental health—and yourself. And isn’t that what truly great art is supposed to do? To make us see the world, and ourselves, in a new light? In that respect, “Hi Ren” isn’t just a song—it’s a mirror, reflecting back at us the complex, beautiful, and sometimes difficult reality of what it means to be human.