Ren - the future of music?

goldtop

That is exceptional. 

Will have to check the back catalogue. 

S56035

I really like that.  Looked through some of his other stuff and he's got a new fan here.

However, he is most definitely NOT the future of music.  That is a combination of shit pop music and the same of shite from mega-artists who will just carry on until they're can't perform live any more and move onto being holograms!

Grumpyrocker

jonnyburgo said:

Clearly talented but that accent that everyone uses nowadays bugs me.

Yes I managed about ten seconds of it. 

t1000

I'm a typical dad rock fan stuck in grunge, britpop, rock etc this totally blew me away. Yes it's not a song you will be singing down the pub but it's something unique and I loved it.

LastMantra

t1000 said:

I'm a typical dad rock fan stuck in grunge, britpop, rock etc this totally blew me away. Yes it's not a song you will be singing down the pub but it's something unique and I loved it.

I agree. I thought it was very different and very clever.

thecolourbox

Grumpyrocker said:

jonnyburgo said:

Clearly talented but that accent that everyone uses nowadays bugs me.

Yes I managed about ten seconds of it. 

I'm not sure I've heard anybody with that accent, I'm not a widely sociable person so that's not from a massive pool of people but still, if you are surrounded by people who talk like that I'd be quite concerned for you

Vintage65

I hope not.

rlw

I liked the making noises along with the music bit as that saves all that time wasted trying to write meaningful lyrics. 

Otherwise, it's a big 1/10 from me.

carlos

euan said:

I mean he is an unsigned artist who has managed to get 2.6m views for a music video. In that sense. Yes it is. 

And he managed it without that TikTok hook. 

Must have a good talent and marketing agency.

LastMantra

Not sure it's the future of music, but hopefully part of it.

ronnyb

I’ve been following the Big Push and Ren on YouTube for a couple of years. They are talented musicians and when you look at some of the drivel on the TV talent shows there’s no comparison. 

jonnyburgo

thecolourbox said:

Grumpyrocker said:

jonnyburgo said:

Clearly talented but that accent that everyone uses nowadays bugs me.

Yes I managed about ten seconds of it. 

I'm not sure I've heard anybody with that accent, I'm not a widely sociable person so that's not from a massive pool of people but still, if you are surrounded by people who talk like that I'd be quite concerned for you

London Mandem accent. Quite common nowadays on the mean streets, get with it grandad.

dindude

It’s pretty incredible stuff, wow

dindude

Can I revise my position on this, moving from incredible to truly exceptional.

 I’ve watched a few reaction vids on this (I know know, don’t judge me) and the response and listening journey is largely the same and without exception has an emotional response. 

It starts out sounding preposterous, even comical with the classical guitar and high pitched singing, if you’ve written it off by this point then shame on you, then the main thing kicks off and you come to terms with the fact it’s theatrical and doesn’t sound familiar but you think you’ve kinda got it sussed, enjoying the great lyrical interplay and delivery thinking this is pretty cool, then the intensity of the “devil bit” surprises again, but the way he builds out of that section is pure genius ending with just a few bars of brilliant singing coming from know where. By the time he goes back into the preposterous high pitched singing, it’s all making sense. 

Placidcasual79

dindude said:

Can I revise my position on this, moving from incredible to truly exceptional.

 I’ve watched a few reaction vids on this (I know know, don’t judge me) and the response and listening journey is largely the same and without exception has an emotional response. 

It starts out sounding preposterous, even comical with the classical guitar and high pitched singing, if you’ve written it off by this point then shame on you, then the main thing kicks off and you come to terms with the fact it’s theatrical and doesn’t sound familiar but you think you’ve kinda got it sussed, enjoying the great lyrical interplay and delivery thinking this is pretty cool, then the intensity of the “devil bit” surprises again, but the way he builds out of that section is pure genius ending with just a few bars of brilliant singing coming from know where. By the time he goes back into the preposterous high pitched singing, it’s all making sense. 

I completely agree - it's not the sort of thing I'd normally go for at all - In fact things like theatricality and virtuosity would normally send me running - things I'd actively avoid - and it may well be that I wouldn't spend a lot of time listening to his music - but if I put my biases aside for a moment its evident that there is some serious talent here - and as well as his playing, performing and compositional gifts I have to respect some one who is so uniquely themselves and clearly isn't afraid to step out of the box - his story is really interesting too - there has been some serious adversity - it would be comparatively easy you'd image for him to have done something in the Tom Grennan mold and maybe had a greater or more immediate success - but he's doing his own thing and I respect that... I think he could really blow up. 

Maybe it was a bit hyperbolic for me to say future of music - its certainly not my bag but ultimately things are so dire these days that its just a relief to see a pop star who doesn't behave and sound like a careerist politician or footballer!!!! 

Jfingers

I've watched that three times in total since I first saw it here. I've sent it to my Daughter and my best mate since then.

Once upon a time I was sceptical about small cast local theatre performances, having been to several because that's one of the things my other half is into I've changed my mind about that.

I prefer countryish music made by former drug addicts and ex punks, but 8 mile is one of my top 20 films, as in if I see it's on tv then I will watch it.

I found Hi Ren enjoyable in an uncomfortable way, the dichotomy of self so to speak. Even lip synching to that volume of words would be very difficult for me. I'm impressed by it.

Sometimes theatre feels profound and stays with you for a while. That video will stay with me for a lot longer than most pop pap. The comparison drawn above about musical talent shows offering nothing remotely as good rings true with me. Perhaps not the future of music, but excellent nonetheless.

Vintage65

Here's his latest

S56035

I was fully in until he said the "sidewalk" when he clearly meant "pavement"!

darthed1981

S56035 said:

I was fully in until he said the "sidewalk" when he clearly meant "pavement"!

Younger generation dude, Americanisms are more common than ever...

FelineGuitars

I only found it this week thanks to Justin Hawkins and I loved it - very theatrical and thought provoking 

I too enjoyed the reaction videos and found that immersing into what is going on lyrically made it hit home.