First Time Hearing Ren 'Mackay' | Rock Musician Reacts 

Ren's backstory for the song (which i should've looked at in the video): "Today is one of my favorite peoples birthday. There was a few times we shared birthday parties cause they were so close together, they were always chaotic and awesome. This is me sharing my birthday with him once more. Callum was one of those friends who was constant throughout school, he was a year older than me, always positive, always down to get up to whatever stupid shit was on the menu that day. Fond memories of getting older kids to go get us a bottle of vodka, then heading into the woods behind the co-op and getting so drunk we'd usually end up either throwing up or creating beautifully blurry memories. I loved and looked up to that guy so much. The last time I saw him was ironically at Joes funeral, I'd just won two bottles of wine on the raffle we set up, which was the last time I ever drank alcohol. I decided it would be a sensible idea to drink both, and we had a great send off, felt right all the lads being together in one place, despite the circumstances. Me and call were both absolutely hammered and reminiscing about old times and it felt just like being back in the woods. I got the news Callum had died 6 months after Joe took his life. At the age of 21 it was really difficult for me to process that two of my best friends could die in such a short space of time. Joe dying had hit me so hard that I was almost unable to process Callum going shortly after. I wanted to write something for him for such a long time to pay tribute, but there was a mental block and nothing ever felt right. One day I was sat by my piano and I started to play with no real intention, and this song came out of me that had no words, just music, and for some reason it managed to express what I wasnt able to with words. It felt fitting to hold onto it and release it for his birthday. This is for Callum Mackay Love and miss you always. Ren"

First time the algorithm has sent you to me and wow you absolutely know your stuff. Fantastic reaction mate. Yeah it was his best friend who passed away when they were younger. It’s his birthday today and REN’s tomorrow so this was for him. Yeah he’s awesome on the piano.

Thank you for the musical education on the piano. I knew none of that.

Wow, what a beautiful piano solo! As usual Ren surprises us, no lyrics, no words, just a rollercoaster of emotions played out on the keys of the piano...Sometimes there are no words and it's through music one can still communicate and express their thoughts and emotion...No Words Needed.

Hello, I don't know you, yet. I came here because you are the first reactor I saw for this. Thank you for your smile. That is what this song is to me. But your thoughts about the song while you are listening are a wonderful mixture of joy and knowledge. I really appreciate that. I'll stay for more.

I’m very rarely into purely instrumental music, but this somehow felt like Ren was playing words. A stunning and perfect tribute to his friend 🖤🐰🕳️

Lovely reaction thank you ❤

Thank you for helping me understand the technicalities of the piece. It really helps bring it alive to know more about the structure beyond how it feels sonically to me as a musically-uneducated listener. I love that before this he had a full rap track, before that was kinda motown, and before that was acoustic edm. He makes the music that is in his soul. Who else does that these days? Everyone seems to be chasing the next big hit not just sharing their gift in its fullest glory.

Breathtakingly beautiful 🎹🎶💞 Ren as such a multifaceted musician, play & sing any genre, self taught on instruments. This is one of his storytelling without words this time. You could feel the emotion through it for his friend 🫶

Ren gives the back story to this as a pinned comment in the video comments

And to think, Ren learned to play both guitar and piano via RU-vid. Thank you for your reaction and the knowledge.

A beautiful composition by Ren, in memory of his good friend. What makes it even more impressive is that he's self-taught on the piano! In fact Ren plays about a dozen instruments well. Half of them RIDICULOUSLY well! All self-taught! If you ever hear top-notch musicians talking about Ren's playing style, on any of the instruments that he plays, they always describe it as incredibly unorthodox... but effective. I once heard Ren describe how he plays the guitar by visualising different coloured shapes moving over the fretboard! :)

Such a beautiful piece❤❤.

Great reaction. He also played the piano on the song, For Joe, if you haven't seen that one yet

Yeah, I just love Ren’s piano playing. Always hits me in the feels. Also love that his music is always for him first.

Really appreciate your piano knowledge on this thank you 🫶

Ooh I liked your reaction to this and your insights. Subbed for more Ren.💕👍🦇

Such an interesting reaction thank you appreciated your knowledge and words

Great reaction and break down of the piano playing

You are brilliant!

Subed for much more Ren!

Thanks for jumping on this so quickly, and for the piano lesson. I just received a ❤ from him on twitter (X), for my comment thanking him for expressing in music, what we, as mere mortals, cannot.

Beautiful ❤

❤❤❤ honestly if your reaction hadn't made me subscribe, your Men Without Hats ending would have got me for sure😂

You have to checkout "for Joe " and" money game 3" for some more of his piano

Clicked on your video, saw Ren in front of an amazing rock formation, saw your title Rock Musician reacts. Wonder what a rock musician does, makes sounds on rocks or stones? Half way way through, ah! Rock musician Yes I am officially an idiot

Our Sick Boi did it again ❤❤. So emotional and beautiful. Thank you for your reaction. Subbed for more

LESSS GOOO

How can you help but be impressed with his music. It just seems tto flow from him.

👍👍✔✔

You just never know what you'll get next from Ren. 🙃

Callum passed away just several months after ren lost his other friend Joe...❤