HANA - HANA

HANA
HANA
2016
Spotify

HANA has become a bit of an obsession for some of the best female performers out there. She currently tours with Grimes, has opened for Lana Del Rey and has received heaps of praise from Lorde. With that kind of backing and a pedigree you would have to expect something really special from this debut EP HANA. You will not be disappointed. The first track "Clay" is a lush expansive song that is drilled down with her effortless vocal. The song sort of pours out spilling slowly and keeping an ethereal vibe with vocals sort of swirling around. "Avalanche" is where HANA's artistry first shines through. The song was produced by Bloodpop who was only the mastermind behind The Biebs' "Sorry". The song feels completely modern, almost cold, but it is her lyrics and vocals that bring that warmth right back. It has a really great beat that almost begs you to dive in deep with her and wait patiently for everything to fall apart. As you would expect from anyone associated with Grimes the production on the record is so well done. "Underwater" creates a soundscape that is extremely heavy and powerful only to be coupled with her big dreamy vocals. As the notes she sings get higher the effect on her voice becomes more haunting, really cool stuff.

"White" is the first chance we get at something dancey but it still sounds like a real heartfelt song, not just more writing about taking the night back. Her vocals swarm in and out while the beat pumps away never overtaking her, just building and building. HANA's sensibility seems to be much more grounded in the dream pop category rather than the more out there styles that some of her counterparts partake in. What HANA is really able to do is play around in the dream/ethereal pop genre while never committing herself fully to one thing or another. The EP shows she is willing and able to explore and play. She is not concerned with what other people are doing, instead she focuses on her work to be fully herself. HANA is about setting a stage while still packing a punch. This EP lives and dies however on her vocals and she delivers throughout. A really solid first effort and a sign of great things to come for HANA, do not miss this EP.

7.2 out of 10