Ren - Hi Ren - You Guys Asked For It!! Aussie Producer Reacts 

I love how he leaves the song on an unresolved chord… because the story is never over, the dance goes on…

I've watched this a hundred times and it gets me every time. It's a story of endurance and resilience, of perseverance and triumph. I think there are good things ahead for Ren. You might enjoy his trilogy of the Tale of Jenny and Screech, And Violet's Tale (in that order). Fyi, he was diagnosed with Lyme disease, finally after many years of misdiagnoses. The symptoms he has suffered sound quite daunting.

FYI: Ren is Welsh, lives in Brighton. Currently in Canada receiving treatment for his Lyme disease which he crowd funded to provide. He spent 7 years dealing with wrong diagnosis and struggling mostly in a bed. He’s unsigned (even if he was signing with Sony when the disease hit him), completely independent and self produced, he’s the author of everything in his creations and his performances are quite always live (hi Ren definitely is). He basked for years specially in Brighton. His genre of music is called Bardcore (as in Shakespeare) there is over 10 years of Rene music on RU-vid covering many musical styles. Ren is super talented. Plays several instruments, sings and raps. Welcome to the rabbit hole!

I've watched like 30 reaction videos to this ad I think your take on the message is spot on. You can see in some of these reactions where people can appreciate the art and say it was cool, but then you can see particularly in the ending monologue who has been through the storm. I'm on my way out of it at the moment and its a long process but that spoken word piece has had a big impact on me. I've been telling those involved in my treatment that I've been battling mental health issues for 5 years. And that's how I perceived it. It was exhausting to keep up with what I saw as a fight. But his words about how its not a battle to win, its a pendulum and that you need to soften, has completely lifted a load off my shoulders. I'm learning to soften. I'm learning to go with the flow of the dance and gently guide it in the direction I hope to go. He has a VLOG that he uploaded to youtube before releasing this song. It was from when he was 17 and right in the thick of it. It's one of the hardest things I've ever watched. To know that he took that and produced what is probably one of the most powerful pieces of art I'll see in my lifetime is insane. A credit to that eternal will of his.

Not just two separate characters but even two different melodies. "Dark Ren" has a percussive sound and "Light Ren" has a much more soothing melody. Done live, that means that he was literally switching not only his voice but the melody back and forth. Add into that, that his timing, for the most part, was spot on between the two. Without giving away anything, in "The Tale of Jenny & Screech", you'll not only see him walking, playing and singing, but staying in time as well. It's been said that he attended "Music School" in Bath, England (not sure if it was "grade school" or University). It's also been said that his mom was a "vocal coach" which explains his intro and outro "singing". Ren is a Poet, a Singer, a Rapper, a Musician (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, piano, drums, etc.), a Composer, a Songwriter, an Actor.......an Artist.

"The voice that you hear when you loosen the noose on the rope". Probably the strongest line I've heard in years. I hope everyone can hear that voice, no matter where they are on their rope.

Wow. If you don’t like genres, you will LOVE Ren. He plays with them.

Man. Loved your reaction and insight. As a 58 yo vet struggling with PTSD and depression Ren really resonates. Don't think I've been equally captivated by a song/performance since I was 13 ( When Sultans of swing was released in 77). Subbed and thx.

You will really enjoy going down the Ren rabbit hole. Genre bending is his thing, in addition to musical and lyrical genius.

Hey man, thanks for the video! I've been going through a bunch of these reactions to Hi Ren from different channels and picking up bits and pieces of detail as reactors and commentators point them out; there was a comment you made that I'd like to (try to) expound on, since I likely wouldn't have connected the dots if you hadn't pointed that out. Apologies for the wall of text, hopefully it's worth it. You mentioned after the hope character stood up about how it was there that it was the first time he looked straight into the camera and connects directly with the audience - after he stands... almost but not quite. For the majority of the video as his two sides are playing off each other and building on each others energy, positive and negative as they push back on each other and they both come back more vehemently each time, he's looking almost exclusively left, right, or down. That is, either at his other self, his guitar, or nothing (also notice he tends to look at his hands as he plays mostly when he's in the positive, somewhat anxious "light" character). This is Ren's internal struggle. We the audience watch on, separate. After the "light" Ren tries to suppress "dark" Ren once and for all, fails, and dark Ren takes control back - he's no longer looking exclusively at his other side. As he says "I am the snake in Eden" his head flips from side-on to head-on with the center camera. Not looking at it yet, but *toward* it. Next the shot switches to the right side camera which shows him looking head on at where the front camera would be, but not at our viewpoint. It jumps next to the left side camera as he raises his right arm and looks across the frame *almost* but not quite across center frame to settle on his hand, then back towards the center-front camera position. From there we switch to that center-front viewpoint again, but far enough away that it's tough to tell if he's looking into the camera or merely towards it, and anyway his face is shrouded in shadow as the camera dolly-zooms in. Next, before we get close enough to really clearly see his eyes we switch to right-side view and he again looks towards, across and up from what would be the new center frame. Then center-front camera as he looks forwards but above the active camera. Then left side as he's again staring dead on forward towards the camera we're *not* looking through. This sort of *almost* but not quite looking right at the audience continues throughout this section as dark Ren escalates and claims himself to be essentially primordial immortal pure evil. That whole section serves to subtly and progressively strip away whatever feeling of separation from the scene the audience feels while unsettling us. Pulling us in, breaking that fourth wall subconsciously and adding to that whole general unsettling feeling of that entire section. Jack Nicholson's character in The Shining does something similar. Throughout the entirety of the movie Nicholson looks directly into the camera for just a few frames before looking away. He's the only character who does, he does it repeatedly across the film, never more than once per shot, and it's never addressed. Its as if both Nicholson and dark Ren are acknowledging the audience is there without deigning to address them. You're not safe from what's going on in the shot, you, the audience are part of it. In the next sequence, Ren as Hope raises his head towards the camera and says "Just as sure as the night has dawn", his eyes lock dead on to the active camera as he utters "dawn". There's no evasion, no subtle look near the camera, he looks right at us as if to say "I see you. I'm addressing you as well". Throughout the sequence with Ren as Hope, he looks straight ahead and level but doesn't look directly back into center frame of the active camera until after he stands and he utters "...floor. And I go by many names also...". From here, he's locked onto the camera for the majority of the shots. As if to say, I see you, I'm speaking to you, I know you. The camera is also handheld for the majority of the shots after he stands. Where before we had a cinematic experience from a tripod; the *shot* at least was fairly stable, clinical, a view into this scene from afar - now it's more real, more personal as he stares at the audience and says that he won't be defeated. He's looking straight at the audience as he says "You know how I know that I'll prosper? Because I stand here beside you today" Speaking to his dark side and the audience in equal measure. Standing beside *us* as well. A filmmaker points out in another reaction I watched that these closeup handheld shots are performed physically close up, with a wide lens. It serves to still show a lot of the background but brings the audience closer in to the subject. Less room to breathe. Closer. More personal. Now he puts his guitar down, long since having stripped any audience separation away on a subconscious level, now speaking directly and exclusively to the audience about his own internal struggle, and as he finishes it all he states "I must remember, WE must remember that we are human beings". Driving that nail of connection firmly in, including us EXPLICITLY. WE. We are human beings. He says this immediately after defining the separation between humans, angels, demons, and gods as being the "eternal dance", which immediately before that he defined as his struggles with mental health. His struggle with the light and dark inside himself. Without actually speaking the words, he says to us the audience: "I see you. I know you struggle. It's okay. It's going to be okay. We're all human. We all struggle. You're not alone". He and the videographer have been progressively working towards disarming the audience, and the message is that much more powerful because of it. From the moment he speaks his first "Hi Ren", he's put himself and his self doubt on display for all to see, bearing his soul to us. Here we are at the end, feeling equally transparent, as if we've been looking into a mirror the whole time as the mirror stares back somehow. Incredible.

Ren still struggles, yet still creates. He’s an independent. Intriguing.

Chalk Outlines Ren + Chinchilla would be a great second review. It really highlights his amazing singing voice, but like this, it has a deep message, the lyrics will hit you hard, one line after another, and each line has a hook! People will suggest the trilogy of Jenny, Screech & Violet, which you absolutely should listen to, but as a second review, I feel Chalk Outlines would be a great second introduction to REN.

His finger pickings remind me a lot of how I once heard Mark Knopfler describe his method.

I have watched dozens and dozens of reactions to this song. Yours is one of my favorites… besides being what I believe is an honest, real, and visceral reaction, I believe you feel what he’s singing about. I’m no musician, so I don’t have any of your background. But I believe deeply that this song speaks not only to musicians (deeply), but also speaks to the common man. His message strikes chords with all. We all have these internal fights… albeit not always artistic. It’s still always our eternal battle.

Having been through the storm...now in the eye of the storm, it is easier to understand his meaning for sure. I am in the eye because there is no cure for me, simply pushing forward every day knowing I will not give up.

You don't have to be a musician or create music to relate to this. This is a human struggle and can be applied to anything in life.

All his songs are amazing.. If you like things never done before his "Tale of Jenny and Screech - and violet" is a work of art and Chalk Outlines is just epic and its all live in 1 take without any showbiz magic

Ren is so important to me/people that struggle with mental health I have never in my life had someone that explains things so well plus his voice an skill are amazing

If you look into Rens back story he has spent a lot of year suffering with some really difficult illnesses that ended up damaging parts of his brain. As someone who also has similar chronic illnesses which leaves me bedbound and house bound this touched my soul deeply. You are right that when you have nothing to do you end up very introspective. It was beautiful and I appreciated your reaction ☺️

What this lad is going through with his personal health makes this even more amazing than it is. I wish him all the very best & wish him good health.

It's interesting to hear someone actually mention his *movement* in this song, for once. Something I find especially interesting is the way he portrays the two sides at the start of the song; "Temptation" Ren is leaning forwards, showing aggression, while "Hope" Ren is leaning back, and pulling his legs up almost defensively. If you place them side-by-side, so that they're facing eachother, it looks like one is recoiling in fear as the aggression tries to intimidate; It's very well done, but most people - myself included - seem not to notice it on first watch.

React to jennys tale, screech tale and violets tale a triology by Ren... You'll blow your mind. Ren is a producer, multi instrumentalists, songwriter, genius lyricist, everything you want Ren got it!

I hope you listened to the whole thing without breaks, because the way Ren amps up the pacing, his voice intensifies, the flickering lights (dark Ren + integrated Ren at the end), camera angles… god this kid is such a bloody genius. I get chills every time.

I've never watched a reaction video prior to binge watching every reaction to this video. Yours has been one of the best, very observant and thoughtful and it allowed be to relive my first time watching Hi Ren. I think he's a creative genius! Thank you!

i have absolutely made everyone i felt needed to hear this music listen to this music. if they don't get the message i can't be faulted for trying. at the end of the day everybody suffer, don't be so rigid, learn to bend. the world isn't out to get YOU in particular. at least that's how i understand it.

Really great reaction and comment, and I have seen a lot of these by now... subscribed.

I didn't realize this until after I had watched (quite) a few Ren reactions is that the "She sells seashells by the seashore" is a reference to his song "Money Game Part 2." Recommend you check that out (you don't need to watch Part 1 to enjoy part 2, but its worth watching also)

Ren is simply a genius musically, since you have now taken the red pill and your eyes are open, Ren's world is an incredible catalog of art. Yes, this is live. Ren is the one take king. This was his 4th take and he nailed it. The Tales of Jenny and Screech (Full Version) is another live one take anthology.

Longtime Ren Stan here, I can't explain the joy it brings me to see people discover him. 🥰 He has an insanely vast creative range too, so you'll get to discover him time and time again with every new song! (just don't forget to share when you do 😉) Some tips are Insomnia, Blind Eyed (live) with Sam Tompkins where they're busking in the streets of Brighton, Jenny and Screech's Tale, The Hunger, Chalk Outline with Chinchilla... ...and then take those as your starting point 😅

I love this kid. He’s struggled with so much darkness and he has come out of that dark tunnel a thousand miles per hour. Very proud of him. Not many people could get through what he’s endured as unscathed as he has. I’ve probably watched this video with reactions thirty times and 99.9% of the reactions are like yours. Wonder and amazement to speechlessness. Everyone has this internal struggle to different degrees and how we deal with it is individual. This kid is creative to the nth degree. I wish him all the best. He deserves it.. ❤️

I think your reaction video is the most astute out of the 20 or so I have seen to this. To put it in perspective, before this video, I have never watched a reaction video because I have never cared about anyone else's opinion on youtube, but this masterpiece just wants you to watch it over and over again and seek other peoples opinion of it.

You absolutely get it. Even very early on in your reaction, you were tuned in to what he was trying to convey. I agree with you in that I hate genres. In so many reactions that I watch, the reactors spend half the time trying to figure out what genre it is rather than just appreciating the music for what it is. Awesome reaction.

Great reaction. You can only hear this once, the next best thing is watching someone else hear it for the first time. Chase the dragon.

The part where he stands up hits very differently if you know his backstory. He suffer rom Lyme disease and autoimmune disorders and has been bedridden for years thanks to his ailments, so the moment he stands up and talk about Hope hits so much harder when ya know this.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a song that has connected and been shared around and talked about by so many people, just brilliant

Came because of Ren and the masterpiece that is Hi Ren, Stayed because of the Aussie accent. One of the better reactions to this song ive watched..

Even by modern, highly-produced RU-vid videos’ standards, this video stands in its own. It’s tough to find the words to describe the genius in that performance. The sophisticated lyrics, the intricate guitar work, the raw creativity involves is mind-blowing. I cry regularly watching this video. Not because of Rens story, the subject it tackles or how it makes me feel. It’s that his genius makes me feel inadequate. I could never, ever create something like as amazing as this.

Great reaction mate. Subbed and hope to catch you checking out Ren’s other stuff. For me he’s the biggest breath of musical fresh air in decades, literally. The incredible one-shot performance tales of Jenny, Screech and Violet (in that order - very important) and his more melodic, sung numbers ‘Chalk Outlines’ and ‘How to be Me’ with Chinchilla are just beautiful. Then there’s the busking! The list goes on…

I'm so glad your reaction appeared in my feed as it is one of the best I've seen. Like a lot of people who have discovered Ren through reaction channels, watching it over and over again through the eyes of others is the closest you can get to how you felt the first time! As someone who is not in the least artistic I thought your insights were really interesting. Do you think I'm right in thinking that some of the guitar intro was a bit 'discordant' to introduce the idea of the negative voice early on? I can understand the self-doubt that artists get as it is inevitible to be influenced by those that you have heard before and the lines can become blurred between the subconscious and plagiarism. I'm a big fan of Kate Bush, Kevin Rowland (Dexy's) and the like who make music for themselves and not as 'product' for the masses. I also think the battle with your subconscious is a universal theme and relatable even if you're not a musician or struggling with ill health. I'm in my 60's and have grown up with music from a lot of decades! I struggle to make the effort to listen to new music these days but Ren has taken me back to when I was obsessed with the Jam and eagerly awaited every new release. I've shared Ren with my friends but sadly they don't seem to get it, which is why I write long rambling comments on you tube!

Traditionally the Bard was a travelling storyteller, telling tales and singing songs, for food and lodgings! Hence the music style Bardcore

All done live in one take (as are many of his videos), impressive with a 9min piece of musical theatre! Ren has a massive back catalogue and every single one is great. There isn't a single 'filler' among them. I've been following him for years and he has pushed Bowie off my #1 all time greatest artist spot. He's a huge talent. Go explore his other songs... You won't be disappointed

“No one is this introspective, unless they have nothing they can or do do.” That’s the most introspective line ever. We all know how sick he was. No matter how sick he was, he never stops creating. Ever. Amazing

Can't express how well I felt you identified this song's message and all the performance nuances. Yours is the best essay and reaction I've seen ( and I have seen a few lol ). Hope you consider checking out his 'Jenny, Screech and Violet's Tales' trilogy. Thanks again.

I knew I was going to enjoy this when you mentioned a pendulum, eminem, and hope long before it was ever referenced in the video. Automatic sub man! Absolutely loved your commentary.

Great reaction it felt like you really felt it and understood it 💛 I loved how open and raw this performance is especially talking about mental health!

One last thing…you have dove a deep dive into the Ren rabbit hole, but until you have seen The Hunger, you haven’t finished the whole circle of understanding who he is. He is amazing at everything. But he is absolutely world renowned in his rapping abilities. Is that my fav Ren? Prob not but after hearing reactor after reactor who only does hip hop and lyrics describing ren as the goat, I think it’s official. 😊 Still On my way! To watch more of your reactions I can’t believe you done have ten times the number of reactors. You e been so amazing! Keep rocking it man. Thank uou

"A message of camaraderie for those who have also been through the storm." So very well-said. I've been interested in seeing who this performance connects with and who it doesn't - definitely with creatives who have had to struggle. But I do think there's a certain kind of heightened emotional sensitivity that some possess, and those people are the ones who will resonate with this song the most. Intelligent, thoughtful reaction, thank you.

The use of the different lighting from each perspective is brilliant 👏

you will be syrprised by how relatable this song is to everyone and it is one of ' the ' best songs i have heard in a very long time , it is a masterpiece , up there with Eminem and even Jimmy Hendrix . it will become a classic .

Your reaction is by far one of my favorites so far (and I've watched an unhealthy amount of reaction videos to this song lol) Sub earned.

Your comment about him finding balance so early in the song is great, you really picked up on his two sides. I have not watched your full reaction yet, but cannot wait to hear your thoughts on his closing words.

I feel like the main message I take away is about hope and mercy. He says he goes "by many names also, 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's Mercy. A beautiful message about how the darkness is always there, within us and out in the world because we are human and we have both the light and the dark. We need to have both hope and mercy for not only others but ourselves as well.

I love watching reactions to this. It highlights our humanity and the threads and suffering that ties us all together. With the world so divided right now, it’s a breath of fresh air to see such an amazing souls connecting with so many people with all walks of life. Like we all go through this to some extent some people just a little, and some of us are consumed by it, but we can all connect. Love this guy and everything he stands for. He is the change he wants to see in the world and we owe it to him to change with it.

I wouldn't say I'm out of the storm, but there may be a clear horizon before long. It's a process. Great reaction. 👍

Thanks so much for this reaction Prymal! I knew you would have a deep understanding of what is going on here, and I really appreciate your thoughtful analysis. I'm in the process of exploring his catalogue. The word I've been using to describe this video to my friends I'm sharing it with is Spectacular.

That was so cool to watch that curveball hit you right between your eyes!

So many messages in this song its almost impossible for every person who listens not to connect and dry resonate with at least 1 message..every time i listen I get something diffrent out of this

This is simply a masterpiece. He combined various arts into this absolutely unique performance.

I’ll remind you You said something like, “Honestly, it’s artist like you who make our jobs easier.” That is not all you said but your thankfulness made a MAJOR MAJOR impact on me I wish I could describe how much I love Ren. And when I saw these sweet words that you sent Rens way, through your comment, I could feel the gratitude. Even most I could feel your love for this man. I could feel that, even though I’d never watched your videos, you were going to HEAR Ren and all he is expressing. You were going to genuinely appreciate it, recognize the once in a lifetime talent, and GET IT, when not every human does, it was gonna get your brain running the eternal Ren circle, the ren Rabbit hole, Talent wise and brilliance academically wise. I lost my words and don’t want to proofread lol So whatever you do, know you are doing it right. I KNOW you are right where you were meant to be. You are such an artist! I run my mouth. I’ve commented on hundredSSSS of ren reactions. I could not be more grateful to watch others go through the same emotions I felt and still feel when I listen to him. By now, I know you’ve dove deep. So glad to have another RENegade! We have a lot so we don’t need you, lol, but we are so grateful to have your powerful energy added to who we are. Can’t wait to watch mire

After a month of watching Ren's reactions i still love it. But i must say yours is one of my favorite! Intelligent with emotions. You even talk before it is brought up about the pendulum, the hope of the "good side" without being cocky, the "bonus" if people likes your art, etc. and also clearly explained the use of the guitar AND the progression of the "good side" personality! Really interesting

THAT speechlessness is almost unanimous with the Musicians that have seen this. It's an explosion of Inspiration that his happening in your beautiful mind. 8-)

You had me at the words self doubt, and deviant art! You got it. New sub! Looking forward to checking out your other Ren reactions. No matter how many times I see this (and it is many many times) my breath still catches when he stands up.

Your reactions were impressively predictive, and I could see you could relate to the creative struggle. I see your comment lists shared REN’s actual illness history. Great review

Don’t think I’ve seen you this concentrated before.

I've watched a few reaction videos to Ren, yours really hit the spot I think. I love watching people connect with Ren for the first time. He's the real deal, and I see that you really got it and understood and even pre-empted some of what was to come. Great insights.

I’m watching this for like the 10th time. You have become one of my favorite reactors. Yours are the ones I watch over and over. Your reactions are insightful, well thought out and emotional, when appropriate.

Lots of his videos are done as "1 takes" which really shows the level of preparation and skills this man has because if by some freaky chance that this comes out of him naturally, then we need to strap ourselves in because this man makes raw art and pure genius in how he conveys his message its truly magnetic... absolutely a masterpiece

Great reaction and commentary.

I’m a new sub , just watched you with hi Ren . The has incredible skill . I’m a50 yr old who loves metal and hard rock ! This kids got somethin’

Dozens of times, and it seems to hit harder every single time. This is art of transcendent beauty and an *important* song. Artists often struggle with imposter syndrome. There’s a movie starring Olivia Munn called “Violet” that rings of this and was a transformative experience for me… just as this song also resonates. As a person who’s never been able to escape negative self-talk, *realizing* that you can exert the strength that destructive voice questions-strength that you *know* you have-is sooo important. It takes time to push past the negativity-to make your own voice stronger, but if anyone out there is struggling with this, please please please *know* that you can do it. *Know* that I believe in you… but you don’t need me to-just like you don’t need the shroud of doubt that feels first of protection and then as a prison. You are *stronger* than that voice. You are stronger than you can *possibly* know… until you push back with softness or aggression-your choice.

Yes sir, this was do e live. Makes it that much better don't ya think lol. Great reaction mate. Keep up the great work and getting this music out there

You hit the nail on the head at 8:50 before Ren has even finished. Great insight so early on - impressive. This shows how good the storytelling and thought process behind Rens work...

Came to this on the back of one of your newer reactions to Ren. So glad I did. I have seen so many HiRen reactions and you’re the first to get so many things right very early on in the video. Great reaction

I loved what you said about him juggling so Many balls. From what my untrained Eye has come up with he's flawlessly transitioning between characters with their own unique voices, personality, demeanor, instrument playing style, facial expressions, cadence, tone, confidence or lack there of. In my opinion a piece like this, with so many balls in air is just begging for failure. If he comes in a little early or a little late, if he misses the mark at all the entire piece comes crashing down spectacularly. I think the only way he is able to perform it is because it's not a learned and rehearsed piece. It's literally just ren giving himself to the audience. It's a genuine expression of what is inside of him.

The first time he looks into the camera is for a fleeting moment on the word "dawn"

Ren's message gives me hope. It lets me know that there are still people learning to accept that the best they can do is always good enough, no matter what anyone else thinks.

love your reaction! you hit it on the nail brother, hugs all around

After seeing this about a week ago I looked at his other stuff expecting to be disappointed cos who has more than one masterpiece unless you're a superstar and world renowned... he's amazing and he will be those things.

Been listening to heaps of reactions RU-vids about ‘Hi Ren’ you are the only one of heard noticing the mic and understanding it is done in one take I believe. I’m a visual artist and you are so on the money about our own self doubt and you are right we don’t seem to talk about this in relation to art and creativity. I’ve been through mental and physical illness. This song speaks to me so very deeply. Thank you for your insight 🎉

Ren Is so profound in his work , everything he does is top notch .

You brightened my day a little.

I have seen numerous reactions but I have to say yours is nearer to my reaction than any other. I saw your version as it came out and then now, its even better a second time. I have been very ill with depression etc and this speaks to me. I am usually a classical music guy near Cambridge in England, I have been looking at rap, pop, rock and jazz reactions as I have been searching RU-vid for great performances of Beethoven string quartets and its opened my eyes to things I would never have experienced normally, Ren is a genius no question. The similarity with Beethoven aged 32/33 is enormous, Beethoven's black depression over his evil father and increasing deafness at that age and his famous breakdown. He wrote the Eroica symphony aged 33 and changed music forever -over and over again. Ren has written this and it redefines many genres, he is a mystical minstrel and I love the way he does everything in his guttural northern English as Beethoven did in his Rhineland accent and used peasant melodies in high art!!

Ren has been doing the rounds and watching everyone’s reactions to his music and I can’t wait for him to see this one. 😊😊😊

Your reaction to the trilogy was so good I've come to watch this one! There is so much gold in Ren, I hope you continue in his back catalogue... rap, ballards, storytelling.. he can do it all

Love your reaction and I have watched a lot. I strive to be an artist too.. probably why I identify with Rens words so much. You come over as a really lovely bloke Thank you 😊

Wow! I watch a hell of a lot of Ren reactions I mean I spend my 12 hour night shifts at work watching them (the joy of working in a taxi office alone 😂) and that was genuinely the best reaction to this I have seen! Non judgemental, introspective and informative reaction. You really got it! So thank you! 🖤

best analysis of this song. well done Sir

Enjoy the rabbit hole of REN!!

Thank you for covering Hi Ren. This may be my favorite reaction to this song. Keep up the good work, mate 😊

Really enjoyed your commentary and reaction. Thank you for this.

Well put, sir. I've been binging reactions to Hi Ren for the last two days now. This piece and your conclusions reverberate deeply, and I see how I have been seeking the same insight in others who recognize this journey, this storm. I too cried out to an empty room in my teens, and like Ren promised to eradicate the evil. It's late in my life now, but I have been struggling, reading, writing, thinking, crying during many years. But the first time I heard Hi Ren and the words about the internal exchange of light and darkness being a dance, not a war, made something become very soft and still and silent inside my chest. I too suffered from auto-immune reactions, and it didn't dawn on me until yesterday how the shadow is a part of myself, so in struggling against it I created the auto-immune reaction for myself. The body and mind fighting itself. As a suicide in slow motion in a way. The level of healing I perceive today has not come through any therapists or medical interventions. It came from the fronts, from the inside of someone having fought the same battle and could tell it as it is, without sugar-coating or trying to downplay what happened. I think that is the enormity of Hi Ren. From all the millions of views, I presume that others have found some kind of consolation too. I also recognize the words toward the end about being made to be tested and twisted, broken and beat. Life is pretty counter-intuitive, many times producing desired results from things we deem as bad or evil. As if we will never grow up and become if we are not severely pressured and hammered, like a chunk of coal being pressed into a diamond, or a lump of iron being beaten into a beautiful and strong sword. It's not the storm that is bad, but us being cowards not daring to set the proper sail, apparently.

Ren is just amazing on every level. You really must check out the tale of Jenny and screech which is a trilogy, fantastic. It is well worth jumping down the Ren rabbit hole. Thankyou for this reaction 💕

I thhink when you mentioned "I want to write something that resonates with me" you are looking at the same cigar but the other angle. You may have alrady made the music that reprsents you perfectly, but this music hasn't connected -- because it doesn't combine with their set of shape definitions -- becaue they're trying to define cigarettes, and this comment is about cigrallos. If writing music just to represent yourself is your goal, then you are missing the opportunity to connect. taking that step to understand and translate IS WHAT MAKES MUSIC GREAT. Not all music forms are aiming at it, but I hope you can see how Ren has just hit the sweet spot for everyone -- it's not your way of description that comes out of your music, it's bridging the gap towards someone else's experience in life. It's rare but I believe anyone who has experienced something like actual love has experienced it, and I think it's what we as people ultimately aim to achieve - ACTUAL connection and understnding.

GOOD reaction, you are the first reactor i have seen catch the two finger playing thing ☺ i have seen about 80 reactions to this song

There is always something unique you can bring to a piece, your SELF.

That you were able to so powerfully connect the majority of this track to your personal creative insecurities and conflicts, show the staggering relatability of this performance. There are people all over the world, with their own stories, anxieties, depressions, bi polar, insecurity about their relationships, doubts about their parenting skill and a myriad of others. This song speaks to us all, not as a group, but each of us... individually. It tells us... or me, to learn to relax, manage our demons, dance with them, respect them and live our lives with some peace and happiness in our hearts. For me the odes to previous parts of the track, speak to the dance which builds to a crescendo and then stops... and begins again. Great review, and for those of us who cannot share your connection to your artist based view of this track, you open our eyes to the fact that almost everyone can gain something (albeit individual to them) from this track... we are not alone... and its ok. Cheers mate

When you said its a message of camaraderie for those who have weathered the storm... Yes...

All his art is live and done in one take. he is extrodinary. he classes his music as Bard Core. Ren has spent ten years of his liofe very unwell. He was mis-diagnosed, and put on trippy drugs, ending in psycosis. A few years ago they discovered he has Lymes disease. So he know this struggle, this dance with innner demons. His music is what got him through all of tihs. he has lived lock down for a decade. he is a lyrical genius

I listen to this now like a prayer whenever I feel doubt about things I want to do or hatred towards myself for no real reason other than my manic depression and it truly helps knowing this war in me is not a struggle I alone face

First of all, fantastic reaction and overall commentary on it. Ive watch multiple reactions to this and very few pick up on so much of what you did. Great insights and perspective. I did want to comment on the statement you made about how he had to have written this during lockdown. The thing is, this whole internal struggle with himself has been going on for years. Given he was picked up by Sony Records from his busking videos, just to be dropped because of his Lymes disease misdiagnosis. He literally has spent a 10 year lockdown struggling with his physical and then mental illness because of it. So yeah, he has had some serious time to be introspective. Which is why I think this performance is so moving and powerful. I connect with this art and song on such a level because my wife has struggled with chronic illness since the age of 2 years old. I have seen this pendulum of light and dark swing both ways over and over again in the last 13 years of being with her. This performance is SO incredibly important for those that struggle with chronic illness, mental health, and the medial system in general. Thanks for reacting to this and I hope you continue down the Ren rabbit hole. Its a helluva journey.