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Renee Millner - Single Review: So Much

01 Oct 2021 // A review by Lou Clement

Taranaki-based artist, Renee Millner, brings substantial quality to her music – it’s effortlessly sung, lyrically modest and full of emotional impact, because of her unique and skillful talent. Her new single So Much was self-penned and produced by Sam Johnson. Accompanying the release is the video, directed by Hugo Eaton, which provides a thought-provoking narrative to the track.

In its opening chords, So Much sounds like a classic rock - it’s uplifting, catchy and yet bluesy, then the chorus kicks in and we are in the depth of heartwarming feel-good music. Millner’s vocals sound like sandpaper and fire all at once. It is an earthy and expressive sound. Yet, she has range that brings the full punch of emotions, set up by lyrics like ‘don’t listen to the ones who haven’t lived their dreams themselves’. There are lyrics that seem to touch on angst, self-doubt and belief. I’d love to hear a stripped back acoustic version.

The video follows Millner, a seemingly invisible witness to the trials and tribulations of a young man making his way through some difficult decisions. It evokes the idea of the wandering minstrel, ministering to the everyman, with their poetry. The video is beautiful, delicately lit scenes of comradeship and conversation are shared, mainly set under the boughs of trees, and it ends with a welcome return to arms of loved ones. Idealism maybe, but I am ok with that. I love this song.

Rating: ( 5 / 5 )
 

About Renee Millner

Fly Me Back is the latest single from Taranaki-based artist, Renee Millner, released on March 31st. Accompanied by a lyric video, the single explores what it means to turn away from dark thoughts and emotions, and find the way back to a healthier place of curiosity and vitality rather than judgement and languor.

As Renee says in discussing the track’s meaning, “The point is that sometimes we feel like we’re in the grip of something dark and malignant, when really it’s us that’s doing the gripping. And if, in those moments, we can release our hold, we create room for lighter, healthier things to enter.”

The single follows on from February’s emotive Out Their Windows, a song written in 2020 themed around the need to maintain connectedness in a pandemic world of limited social contact.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Renee Millner

Releases

Fly Me Back
Year: 2022
Type: EP
In The World
Year: 2018
Type: EP

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