If anyone's struggling with mental health or neurodiversity you're welcome to join my Discord server where we share life advice and do fun stuff like gaming too! - discord.gg/5QdGxWvyG6
So much respect for Ren. We are truly witnessesing a once in a generation artist. Someone who's danced with the dark and capable of holding up the mirror showing us all the shades of we are often too uncomfortable to face and acknowledge alone. Ren is the much needed and non profiteering therapy the world needs right now and I thank you for your contribution in helping get him out to those of us in need of his help. Much love
Thanks for your kind words. As someone who's been on my own personal journey these last couple of years the song really resonated with me and I've been doing a lot of videos on similar subjects recently, so it'll be interesting to continue the discussions!
I've watched so many reactions to Ren,bc I'm honestly loving seeing people react to him for the first time. Your comment is one of the most beautiful and insightful I've seen so far.....you nailed it!
As a sufferer of mental illness, and successful 52 years on this planet (often despite myself), RENs music generally & this song in particular has blown away a lot of the self defeating lies I tell myself. At my age, this usually isn’t the sort of thing I listen too, but this is cross generational & the message is so v Essential! Welcome to the Ren rabbit hole. Enjoy the journey.
Thanks Gregory I have to agree with you, sometimes we need these kinds of songs to pull us through. I had a similar experience with a song called Tu Jhoom - If you get to watch my reaction to it I leave the subtitles on, it's a very eye-opening song about soul searching. Again, not something I would ever have listened to, but I recorded that reaction at exactly the right moment to appreciate it for what it is :)
I am 57 y/o, and I have been suffering from Chronic Multisymptom Illness (Gulf War Illness) for over 25 years. I have been dealing with mental health issues (Major Clinical Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Unspecified Mood Disorder), in addition to various chronic physical issues. My mental health cost me a successful military career, a marriage, and friendships to the point that I have become a total recluse for the past 13 years. Very rarely do I interact with others. My condition was brought on by prolonged exposure to low-dose sarin nerve gas and experimental vaccines and meds during the Gulf War. A few years later, the now black-boxed use of the anti-malarial "Mefloquine" pushed me over the edge and I experienced a psychotic episode. For over 15 years, I was prescribed a cocktail of max doses of psychotropics until I decided to carefully wean myself off all medications in 2014. The side effects of the drugs were too many and too severe, and the benefits were negligible. I still struggle with my mental health, as well as my physical symptoms, daily, but I rather feel pain than nothing at all. Ren has been able to express through his songs what I have been unsuccessfully trying to communicate to others regarding my mental and emotional state. Each new day, I wholly rely on God for my strength; without him, I would have "checked out" a long time ago.
@@NaturallyGreasy A Bard was a man who told stories through poetry, music and theater; the Bard was one of the only people in his society who was brave enough to expose the humanity around himself regardless of the potential consequences to himself. Bard + Hardcore = Bardcore
Great job reacting. Here I am a 54 year old woman and I can’t stop watching this video. It shows how regardless of who you are you can be vulnerable to critical self talk or trauma. Healing thoughts for REN and best of luck on your channel.
Thank you Beth I agree I can't stop watching it either! Vulnerability is everything. It's a sad truth that the best music comes from such places in the mind. But if it helps a million others heal, then it's worth it. REM's Everybody Hurts is another example of a song that's had a similar influence on its listeners too!
I think sometimes the greatest music is artists like this that break through our music preferences. I was like that with Lorna Shore - Musically, totally not my thing. But the vibe, the talent, the message, something "just connects". Ren is another one of those for me, too
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.
wow thanks Stephen this is so true. I am also the king of self-deprecation and pessimism, so I could really do with those words of encouragement right now as well!
The Sail wishes the Rudder would 'Just go away, leave me alone to run free!' The Rudder wishes the Sail would 'Follow my lead, stay on course!' The Pilot does his best to keep Sail and Rudder working together. Too poetic?
Beautiful reaction, you were both knowledgeable on the subject matter and music as well. He has so many songs in very different styles. Everybody would say The Tales trilogy (Jenny, Screech, Violet in that order) which I will agree (my faves). But he has more about mental health too, too many actually, but I can recommend How To Be Me (recommend the studio version, live version is great too), Chalk Outlines (live version absolutely recommended). These 2 are ballads, him collaborating with another artist (Chinchilla). Also rap songs, Genesis, Sick Boi (his latest single). From his old stuff Diapezam, Insomnia, Depression. So hard to choose really, all great songs. He has lighter, more fun stuff too btw. Also was part of a rock band called The Big Push, which has many great covers and original songs.
Rarely, but occasionally, we are given the opportunity to witness pure artistry because of people like this young man...what an absolutely beautiful soul!
I'm autistic and ADHD, too. I found out about Ren a week ago and have been going down the rabbit hole of listening to all of his songs and especially listening to the reactions to Hi Ren. It's just such an amazing performance and I've seen the reactions from everything from professional rappers to mental health professionals and filmmakers, and they all absolutely love this performance. I've likely listened to the song 40 or 50 times now and still am absolutely enthralled by it. Love your reaction and you have a new sub.
Thank you so much Spotastic! I do AUdhd content over on my other channel ruclips.net/user/neurodadversity - At the moment it's just random bits but hoping to make it more relevant content this year! Thank you for the sub it's really appreciated. Looking forward to doing more REN on the channel!
Great reaction, thank you for your insight. Rens music is fantastic,for me he doesn't miss. I'm sure there will be many requests and you won't go wrong with any of them. I also respect how his music is starting conversations about really important stuff. Excited for more Ren reactions 💙 keep stepping forwards.
Thanks Ryan this is exactly why I do this channel - Of course most reaction videos are about learning new things, but for me I want to dig a little deeper but still make it enjoyable and relatable. So I have no doubt Ren will be top of my watch list!!!
I have ME/CFS and have been bed bound for about a year now, I've been sick since 14 - 15 and am now 19, feels like I've had the prime of my life stolen from me. I came across Ren because of his journey and his success. It blew my mind that someone close to my condition has done so much and come so far not letting anything stop him. It is incredible and he has inspired me. And as he said, M.E and similair illnesses are horribly underfunded, barely researched, and doctors treat us horribly and think it's all in our head. Ren himself can relate to this, it's a truly traumatic experience.
I'm always amazed at the mental strength you and others face in such conditions. And you're right, hearing stories from people in similar situations is inspiring and what Ren is doing is an incredible achievement. I've seen the struggles with "mystery illnesses" at the doctors like fibromyalgia and EDS especially and it can be infuriating. I have family members who've been trying to get help for years especially EDS but the "all in your head" mentality just means "we don't know what's causing it". And that's frustrating!
Great reaction and analysis. Loved your insightful comments. "Hi Ren" is the song that put Ren on everyone's radar over the past month; it went viral and has garnered more than 3.5 million views since its debut, but he has been creating great music for more than 10 years. His latest release, "Sick Boi," is almost another chapter to "Hi Ren." I am 57 y/o, and I only recently learned about Ren and have gone down this rabbit hole ever since. Many of his songs resonate with me because he addresses struggles that I myself face every day. A little background on Ren that I gathered from the internet. Ren pursued a career in music from an early age. In 2009, while studying music performance at Bath Spa University, he began to experience health issues and was struggling to attend his lectures. In 2010, he was signed by Sony Records and was working on an album when his health deteriorated to the point where he was unable to continue. His illness often kept him in bed for up to 23 hours a day. Ren was initially diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome. It would take seven years before he was finally correctly diagnosed with autoimmunity, Lyme disease, and brain damage. Ren eventually underwent stem cell therapy in the United States, which improved his health, but it has not been a cure. He is currently in Canada for more treatments. He plays multiple instruments, has amazing vocals, is an excellent storyteller, and is quite the philosopher and poet. Check out the trilogy "The Tale of Jenny/Screech/Violet." It is haunting and has an unforeseen conclusion; WATCH THEM IN THE STATED ORDER, as this is the flow of the storyline or just watch “The Tale of Jenny & Screech (Full),” which includes “Violet’s Tale at the end. It is another example of Ren’s genius and a master’s class in storytelling. Ren’s collaborations with Chinchilla (“Chalk Outlines,” “How to Be Me”) are beautiful and showcase his singing voice while addressing mental health. I would watch the official live music videos. "Chalk Outlines" is one of my favorite songs right now. Ren's personal reflections are threaded through many of his songs; "Insomnia," "Depression," “Diazepam," “Penitence,” “Dear God,” “Heretic,” “Dominos,” his "Freckled Angels" album, just to name a few, all deserve a listen. His song "Money Game" (Part I & II) is another recommendation. His performances with Sam Tompkins (“Blind Eyed,” “Earned it /Mans World / Falling,” “Walking on the Moon), Eden Nash (“Humble,” “Ocean”), Bibi (“Crutch,” “Ahiahiaoha”), Molly McKinna (“Penitence”), his former bandmate, Romain Axisa (“French Song”) are all great. Ren's performances as a member of the band "The Big Push" (which unfortunately broke up) are awesome and well worth checking out, both the busking (street performances) and their live recordings. Ren's covers of "I Shot the Sheriff," "Oh My Woman," "Wade in the Water," "An Englishman in New York," and so many others are equally impressive and really give you a sample of his vocal ability. Ren just released his latest single, “Sick Boi.” In anticipation of his stay in Canada for more treatments, Ren prepared some music ahead of time to be released over the next 3-6 months that he expects to be gone. "Sick Boi" is almost another chapter to "Hi Ren."
Thanks for your kind words Jens. Having been on my own personal journey these last couple of years I too can relate to so many elements of this song. I can't wait to delve deeper into his back catalogue too!
This is not mental illness.....ITS THE OPPOSITE! Its being human. We all have these thoughts...he says it in the song.... its been around since the dawn of time. Its our doubt , fear, insecurity, its the base of evil...a man made thing....its a battle with all the human emotions and that inner voice that keeps us locked inside.
Ren's psychosis involved hallucinating a malevolent voice for most of his life. The song is about conversing with this hallucination. So yes, it is about his mental illness.
@@si8086 The song has been carefully constructed so that voice is the internal voice everyone has. If you or he wants to talk to it then thats fine but its still the same internal voice everyone has and is not a mental illness. How you choose to respond to it is.
Thank you for your moving reaction to the musical Genius that is Ren. Your own story touched me in so many ways. I am a 47yr old mom and I “live” with severe chronic pain, numerous autoimmunity illnesses and mental health struggles that include depression, anxiety, PTSD, and nerve damage from my neck to my hips….oh as well as blown and collapsed disks, ADHD and dyslexia. My mom (who lives with me and my girls) also has numerous autoimmunity diseases, OCD and now dementia. I am a only child (as is she) and we watched my grandmother we knew and loved be taken from us but in slow motion and horribly….so I know what is coming. My first born, Andrew, was born is a rare and fatal genetic disease called HLH for short, and he passed away at 8 1/2 months old 2 weeks after be received his bone marrow transplant. My 2 girls also are Autistic, ADHD, severe mental health issues with Social Anxiety and Depression being the worst). I also simi-adopted my youngest BFF and she has been with us for many years now. She has all of the same diagnoses as them but her mental health struggles also include PTSD and Agoraphobia, also with some serious physical disabilities. I am on disability but it has been a continued fight to get them theirs but that is a different story, but being financially responsible for 4 adults on my very limited income is stressful to say the least. I am losing my mom to dementia everyday more and more but while I too am broken. This week our dryer and lawn mower broke on the same day but we don’t have the funds to fix them. I currently live in Kansas, USA and there is NO free mental health care or services for those without income or insurance. Watching them all suffer and continually getting worse, along with no money for food other than PB&J and Ramen noodles has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. I too have only found Ren recently, maybe a few months at most. I cannot even tell you how many times I have watched this video as well as Suicide/For Joe. It just has touched me so deeply. I have absolutely loved each and every song he has released (ie….lots of tears :). No idea why I just word vomited all that, likely because of the emotional connection of the song and your reaction, and other than the 4 mentioned and my Dr, I don’t talk to anyone. Lol. This was suppose to be a quick thank you so I am sorry about the word vomit. I look forward to watching your other reactions soon. 🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗
Suffering myself from double depression, depersonalization, anxiety disorder and a chronical pain disorder (e.g. 20+ days with headaches / month) for decades by now I feel so connected to Ren and this masterful piece of art he created and gave us. I wish I could hear the hope side stronger or at all. But he gives hope to hear hope some day.
wow thanks for sharing your story. When you say "he gives hope to hear hope", that's one of the most powerful things I've heard in a long time. That's so accurate.
Such an honest reaction! Love it. This song has NOT left my collective conscious for at least 10 days and love the reactions and this one is GOLDEN! Thank you!
When I first watched this and didn't understand what I was watching the bum notes at the start really threw me. You're the first reactor I've seen who mentioned it.
Loving watching reactions to Hi Ren, and I sill haven't tired of the song or Ren. Watch Jenny/Screech/Violet in that order, also new release Sick Boi is soooooo good, hits the hammer squarely on the nail head, and hits hard. Money 1 & 2 are awesome. Thanks for your take on Hi Ren, peace, love and hugs for you @Divergent Reactions. Subbed and smashed that like button.
The beauty of this performance is that it is IMPOSSIBLE to know what to expect. It's a mind-boggling punch right in the head & heart 🤯💔 ending with a resonating, powerful message of inspiration and hope ❤️🔥🙏❤️🩹
Honest reaction, this work is quite brilliant and as you say next level art. I found more performances with Ren and his band The Big Push recorded on the streets of Brighton, which shows more of his amazing voice too. Definitely one to watch.
@@charlescooper8042 I loved the video of An Englishman in New York, when they were sitting on the sofa and a dog came in with a 'you're on my sofa look' climbed onto the sofa and settled down next to Ren like he was part of the act! He obviously liked the music!
@@charlescooper8042 What is amazing is how many veteran musicians from the 80’s are sharing Ren’s work, and really raving about it. His content speaks to us all in our own ways. I really hope his treatment goes well and we can see him performing on the streets of Brighton in the summer. It was fabulous to see the spontaneous creativity and love for his work.
This is such a powerfully moving piece of music and artistry. If this was Ren's only good piece of music it would still be enough for me to be a huge fan of the guy. But it isn't his only good song. He has sooooo many. Ren is incredible human being, and artist.
Great reactions, knowledge and sense, you will fall in to this Ren rabbit hole now, the trilogy's, live white chalk lines, he has a band who are totally of the charts, money 1&2 so many to discover, look forward to watching your reactions
I have watched this many times since I first saw it 4 days ago. When he spoke at the end it was so emotional and I loved what he said about it being a pendulum. Very impactful 😊
Great reaction I suffer with poor mental health and I've been making progress lately!Well done on noticing the out of tune D string you're the first person who's noticed it.Brillant insight 💯
Thank you for your sincere reaction! I liked this: "It is so different and so familiar." Pls react on Freckled Angels, Sick Boi, Chalc Outlines, Money Game(s), the Trilogy, and last: Eden. It's a landscape to digest, but it nobles life.
Hello. I just came upon your reaction to Ren. I saw this song for the first time when it came out a bit back and was as blown away as you are. I must say your ability to pick up on some of the little intricacies is amazing. You're the first one who felt and heard the slightly out of tune bass string. It was purposefully slightly that way for us to experience constant unease/disease/discord as in the life experience of mental illness or chronic illness. I noticed it too at first and thought it was an amateur mistake and I quickly learned that it was calculated by a genius! His mind and words are breathtaking. I have MS and depression, and I can relate to the chronic battle of the body and mind. I'm sorry your Aunt had such a terrible battle with MS. It's cruel. Thank you for this excellent reaction. I'm subscribing for more.
Thanks for your kind words Lorri they mean a lot! Theres been some debate about that bass strong and even though it's in drop D, the way he plays it knocks if out of tune due to it being looser, so I agree with you on that one, it's definitely out of tune. Gives it a more haunting feel In that respect it reminds me of Paranoid by Black Sabbath, that ever-so-slight off tuning adds to the sound. You're a soldier for struggling through with MS. My uncle gave up everything to support my auntie and he's a hero in my eyes (as is my auntie who seemingly never worried about anything!)
You're so right about yhe camera angle changing,and also,it's at that point he looks into the camera for the first time. It's a 3rd character and, the true,balanced and strong Ren....
True. To me though it sounds out of tune at times due to the excess force on the string being loose, like he's bending it, that's my take on it. but yeah, it's deffo drop D!
I have watched so many of these reactions to this song because I love it so much - but you are the first one to say anything about the out of tuned bass string - I thought I was the only one noticing it - It doesnt effect how I feel about the song at all but I was starting to think it must be just me - thanks.
Thanks Alicia glad you liked the reaction! Yeah I'm classically trained so I noticed it straight away! But I did think it added to the music, gave it something extra with the anger and hurt
Not out of tune, tuned to Drop D. Love That Fingerpicking He did using the bass string was just leading the way. And Didn’t Miss 1 Beat during the Whole Song. Hard to do Timing like that especially when the song is Chords are All OVER The Place. This was So Well Done, I am Very Impressed & that’s just Guitar. The Poetry, Next Level
I loved your reaction, Ren is a special treat.. If you want to react to some brilliant songs that also deal with metal health issues you should check out Avi Kaplan, he was the bass singer in Pentatonix but had to leave due to depression. He returned home and found peace in nature and started write his own original music which also helped him, and has helped many others. Three of his songs I would suggest are 'First place I go', 'Quarter past four', and 'I'll get by', I am sure you will enjoy the music and also the messages, they certainly helped me in my darkest moments.
Thanks Chris I've added Avi to the watch list - I want to do more reactions around these sorts of themes, I find the artistry so fascinating and as much as I love reacting to the stuff that's very different, it's nice to react to some more familiar themes too! Thanks for your kind words :)
I shudder to think how many people in this situation, actually listen to that inner voice, when it says "You've Gotta' Kill You If You Wanna' Kill Me..."
As others say, the Jenny/Screech trilogy (in the correct order), Money Game pt1&2, Chalk Outlines with Chinchilla, Blind Eyed with Sam Tompkins (my favourite is the one with the angry car park attendant, anything with The Big Push. The acoustic version of genesis, the instangram version of How to be me. It's the Ren rabbit hole
A must-watch, is Jenny And Screech's Tale, it's one video on his channel, with three separate stories in it, that are somehow connected. Get your tissues ready ahead of time. 🥺
My wife has Ehlers Danlos. It is debilitating that means more attention. Ren has a way of conveying his emotions in his art. Like I said I’m 61 years old this music ever hit me this hard.
In all the reaction videos’ comments sections for Hi Ren I see what seems like an infinite line of boxes. Boxes that hold, for safe keeping, the letters, labels and liabilities assigned to define and confine the mind. I am not an acronym I am not an initialism I am not a symptom I am not a diagnosis I will not allow the DSM V to decide for me who I am I look forward to meeting who I will be in the morning
some slightly less experimental but still very powerful songs bye Ren are "How to be me" and "Chalk outlines" both are songs he has done with another artist called chinchilla and they are hauntingly beautiful.
You're the first person in a long time to spot a hint of Welsh in my accent! Grew up in England but born in Wales and all my family have Welsh accents, so that's probably what you're hearing (the english sprinkled with a bit of South Wales!)
Definitely react to sick boi. It is a Scream into the system, how somebody suffering feels let down by society and like a Guinea-pig to the medications offered.
I'll definitely check that out - As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent person I can totally relate to feeling let down by society. I feel like I'm entering a worthy rabbit hole!
I blog about neurodiversity and mental health - Mostly on my website neurodiversitymatters.com but I do write for other people too. When I write for other people it's ghostwriting (so they get the credit), but if my website gets bigger I'll be able to write for other websites too! Mixture of my own personal experiences and more general writing :)
Great reaction fella. Welcome to the rabbit hole known as Ren. Do check out 'The Tale of Jenny and Screech' (Full). That one video puts the trilogy in order. Then, ( and only after that), check out the (360 live) version too. Also check sick boi that dropped a week ago. That can be interpreted as a prequel to Hi Ren. Also, Money Game pts 1 & 2, Ren x Chinchilla 'Chalk Outlines', (Live)....... I could go on and on but all I can do is recommend his music.
Stages of watching Hi Ren: This looks creepy Guitar sounds nice Oh, he’s singing Will the whole song be like this? Here’s the beat Ok, he’s rapping now This guy is scary Now he seems nice Oh, I see what he’s doing This is interesting This is intense The mean guy is a jerk This is INTENSE Make it stop I haven’t blinked or taken a breath in 2 minutes Go Ren! YES! OOO-OO-OO-OO-OO-.. I need some time to be still 30 seconds of stunned silence
Enjoyed your reaction! Checkout Ren performing with the The Big Push, his other solo work and other collaborations you can find on youtube. Besides the many covers The Big Push performed some original work that is excellent. Just about without fail I prefer The Big Push covers to the original. That is something because that is usually one in a thousand. The Big Push covers stick with me. A few weeks go by and A Big Push cover or original pops into my head. That does not happen frequently.
Although I knew Ren's work from his fabulous rock band The Big Push (completely different genre), I came across his post Big Push stuff more recently. I knew he was extraordinary, but the versatility is staggering. That last monologue to camera is pretty much autobiography. Nearly a decade of illness following a failure to diagnose his Lyme's disease left him with a wrecked auto immune system and psychotic interludes. That makes this work all the more powerful. Bleak at times, yes, but ultimately uplifting and I congratulate him for that. I hope the treatment he's getting right now in Canada helps. One small technical detail about your commentary. You mentioned the bass string being out of tune. It isn't. He's playing in a drop D tuning. This is because the opening section is in D minor and it's the only way to get that extra low bass D note needed to add gravitas to that section as the rising and falling bassline is so important to the piece.
Late-diagnosed AuDHD with hEDS here and, personally, I think one of the reasons why this performance (I can't even bring myself to call it a song...live performance that crosses so many genres with distinct characters/voices/their own playing styles and lighting? I mean..."song" is woefully insufficient) resonates so much with me is that I can relate the inner negative Ren with how I feel trying to function in a neurotypical society not set up with my success in mind. No matter what I do it's never enough. No matter how much I'm struggling and genuinely trying, it's still "laziness" or "attention-seeking". If I carefully word something so as to eliminate possibilities for misunderstanding, then my tone somehow still lands me in an argument. So, yeah, I definitely have that inner voice that is a combination of all the ways NTs have made me feel inadequate...but I also definitely have my inner voice that knows I have perspectives that others don't, that I'm gifted in ways that others aren't, that I have value. Obviously, that wasn't where Ren was specifically going with it, but the beautiful thing about art is once it is turned loose on the world, it takes on a life of its own and its meaning becomes myriad. Ouch. That's a bit of a novel. If you made it through all that, I'll suggest (as others have), the trilogy of Tales but also one that I don't see getting a lot of love because it doesn't have a flashy video...Dominoes.
Wow. Reading that was like reading into my soul. Thankfully the ADHD hyperfixation kept me going to the end ;) Jokes aside, your story is very similar to mine. Feel free to add my personal socials @neurodadversity (youtube, tiktok, etc) where I do more neurodivergent content - I have a Discord server too if it's of interest. Just a small bunch of late-diagnosed ND, but it's a good community :) - Which reminds me, I've got a Divergent Reactions section in there ready for when I invite more people in! Thanks for your comment it really resonated with me :)
Hey, I may write novels in comments, but at least my ADHD bits remind my Autism bits that paragraph breaks = accessibility for goblin brains ;) I'm a little old school and find myself a little overwhelmed with things like Discord/tiktok/Twitch/whatever new-fangled social media thing will pop up next week, so I'll pass on some of that for now (but file it away in case I'm ever feeling a bit braver and ready to dip my toes in the water) but will definitely check out your other yt channel. Glad my rambles were well-received and thanks for the chat :)
Apart from WHAT he was singing, HOW he delivered it covered so many bases... incredible. I heard everything from rap to metal to classical even opera. He only missed out on Mongolian Throat Singing IMO. His blend of atonal dissonance & the almost childish rhythmic clap-along tune kept me hooked. Even that monologue at the end was absolutely riveting. As a piece of 'Art' in it's entirety, it stands out from the herd. I've seen the comment that it's the Bohemian Rhapsody of it's time & my instinct is to immediately slap that bit of heresy down... but I can't... His 'inner-demon' message is full of tropes & clichés that us older guys have heard forever, which he alludes to when he castigates himself for his unoriginality & plagiarism... but his delivery IS original and while I'm fairly sure I don't suffer from any clinical neuroses, you could relate to every word even if you've only ever been held back by self doubt. Amazing song. It could be his opus but he's so young, what might he produce in the future?
🙏🙏 Great reaction! 👏👏💐 MY daughter has ALS (4yrs) It is a HORRIBLE disease! They tested her for Lyme too! Sorta wish it would have been. 😢😢 ✌️❤️🔥🔥🎶🎶🎶💯😎 Ren is AMAZING and his BUSKING....😱😃❤️🔥❤️🔥 SUBBED for MORE! Have you heard of NF?😱🔥🔥🔥💯 He is ANOTHER GENIUS and doesn't curse! 😏
I haven't heard of NF no - I'll have to check him out too! Also yes ALS is horrible. And full respect to you because anyone who cares for someone with such conditions is stronger than all of us. My uncle cared for my auntie with her MS from day one and I honestly don't know how he had the energy. Thanks again :)
So many jumping on the Ren analysis bandwagon? Yours was more real..and didn't talk the video to death ..some of us here are having to live with this everyday of our lives because our life support ..Gov. doesnt really support those with mental health problems.?only certain Royal family members to be trendy at the time.. but nothing really happens to solve the problem ..
Thank you Keith I really value comments like these - That's why I wanted to explain at the start. I've seen some of my favourite reactors butcher the analysis because they can't truly resonate - I think so far I've only seen Justin Hawkins react with true emotion as I know he's been through addictions and MH issues. You're absolutely right, the government doesn't do enough. In my career as a freelancer I'm restructuring now to offer additional support for Access to Work applicants (government-funded scheme) and trying to "fill in the gaps" so people get the right help and support. Work and self-employment is my speciality in that sense, but I know some people like Ellie Middleton are making waves with schools and corporate too. I'm also in my third year of applying for PIP. But that's a conversation for another day! So I can totally relate. Again, thank you for your kind words Keith and best wishes
I realised this later on, but I think it Bends the note slightly as he plays aggressively due to being super loose, makes it sound more unstable but you're right it is drop d I missed that one!
I've watched loads of reactions to Hi Ren and - setting the more serious points discussed aside for a moment - you seem to be the first person who has picked up on the (at times) aggressive/slightly out of tune and - in a classic/technique sense - less than perfectly played guitar. Ren is clearly a very, very skillful player so I'm sure those heavily hit strings are either a deliberate nuance, or a manifestation of the rawness of emotion of playing something so personal that is being translated to the strings. Either way it's a wonderful additional element of characterisation to compliment the lyricism, delivery and content, just another hint that this is a very real thing. Please allow me to compliment you for your perceptiveness for noticing that.
Thanks for your kind words! I agree everything about his performance feels deliberate in that respect, but also instinctive and natural, which is what gives it such an honest raw feel. Thank you ☺️
I sometimes feel like music is the closest we'll get to understanding such experiences without going through them ourselves. I watched The Pain Remains by Lorna Shore and that was a very similar eye-opening journey
We are not angels, or devils, or gods - we are just humans. But we all are also animals. I think Ren tells us this when he is hooting like a chimpanzee (or so I imagine) at the beginning and also repeated at the end. It brings us down to earth and it grounds us.
If anyone's struggling with mental health or neurodiversity you're welcome to join my Discord server where we share life advice and do fun stuff like gaming too! - discord.gg/5QdGxWvyG6
Another reactor called it "classical bipolar core" and ren posted a comment in the video saying he thought that was very funny.
I get chills every time he stands up.
Me too dude…me too.
So much respect for Ren. We are truly witnessesing a once in a generation artist. Someone who's danced with the dark and capable of holding up the mirror showing us all the shades of we are often too uncomfortable to face and acknowledge alone. Ren is the much needed and non profiteering therapy the world needs right now and I thank you for your contribution in helping get him out to those of us in need of his help. Much love
Thanks for your kind words. As someone who's been on my own personal journey these last couple of years the song really resonated with me and I've been doing a lot of videos on similar subjects recently, so it'll be interesting to continue the discussions!
Wow, your words are amazing, very well put! 🙏
I've watched so many reactions to Ren,bc I'm honestly loving seeing people react to him for the first time. Your comment is one of the most beautiful and insightful I've seen so far.....you nailed it!
@@DivergentReactions the follow up to this one is sick boi recommend it, then watch the jenny's tale trilogy 3 songs 19 mins long well worth the watch
I have seen pretty much this same message on several Ren reaction videos, but I haven't seen any of them quite as elegantly worded. Well said.
As a sufferer of mental illness, and successful 52 years on this planet (often despite myself), RENs music generally & this song in particular has blown away a lot of the self defeating lies I tell myself. At my age, this usually isn’t the sort of thing I listen too, but this is cross generational & the message is so v
Essential!
Welcome to the Ren rabbit hole. Enjoy the journey.
Thanks Gregory I have to agree with you, sometimes we need these kinds of songs to pull us through.
I had a similar experience with a song called Tu Jhoom - If you get to watch my reaction to it I leave the subtitles on, it's a very eye-opening song about soul searching. Again, not something I would ever have listened to, but I recorded that reaction at exactly the right moment to appreciate it for what it is :)
I am 57 y/o, and I have been suffering from Chronic Multisymptom Illness (Gulf War Illness) for over 25 years. I have been dealing with mental health issues (Major Clinical Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Unspecified Mood Disorder), in addition to various chronic physical issues. My mental health cost me a successful military career, a marriage, and friendships to the point that I have become a total recluse for the past 13 years. Very rarely do I interact with others. My condition was brought on by prolonged exposure to low-dose sarin nerve gas and experimental vaccines and meds during the Gulf War. A few years later, the now black-boxed use of the anti-malarial "Mefloquine" pushed me over the edge and I experienced a psychotic episode. For over 15 years, I was prescribed a cocktail of max doses of psychotropics until I decided to carefully wean myself off all medications in 2014. The side effects of the drugs were too many and too severe, and the benefits were negligible. I still struggle with my mental health, as well as my physical symptoms, daily, but I rather feel pain than nothing at all. Ren has been able to express through his songs what I have been unsuccessfully trying to communicate to others regarding my mental and emotional state. Each new day, I wholly rely on God for my strength; without him, I would have "checked out" a long time ago.
@@JensRandolff thank you for choosing to stay everyday 💖
@@freestoptv9958 Thank you for your kind comment. God gave me life; it is for God, not me, to take it.
He has named this style..Bardcore..massive fan of Ren, he's a complete genius.
Elaborate?
Im assuming like bar music?
Bardcore is already a thing.
ruclips.net/video/Kl40J5YMmcI/видео.html
@@NaturallyGreasy A Bard was a man who told stories through poetry, music and theater; the Bard was one of the only people in his society who was brave enough to expose the humanity around himself regardless of the potential consequences to himself.
Bard + Hardcore = Bardcore
I'd not heard that... that's brilliant (and typically him).
Great job reacting. Here I am a 54 year old woman and I can’t stop watching this video. It shows how regardless of who you are you can be vulnerable to critical self talk or trauma. Healing thoughts for REN and best of luck on your channel.
Thank you Beth I agree I can't stop watching it either! Vulnerability is everything. It's a sad truth that the best music comes from such places in the mind. But if it helps a million others heal, then it's worth it. REM's Everybody Hurts is another example of a song that's had a similar influence on its listeners too!
how one person can say so much in a few minutes and touch so many people. such an incredible talent. thanks for the reaction.
Couldn't agree more! Thanks for your kind words too :)
I have been watching this daily for a month, awesome, epic and I am a hardcore/punk/ metal guitarist, next level just like his other music.
I think sometimes the greatest music is artists like this that break through our music preferences. I was like that with Lorna Shore - Musically, totally not my thing. But the vibe, the talent, the message, something "just connects". Ren is another one of those for me, too
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.
wow thanks Stephen this is so true. I am also the king of self-deprecation and pessimism, so I could really do with those words of encouragement right now as well!
Just phenomenal. Probably my 20th viewing. Just can’t get enough.
The Sail wishes the Rudder would 'Just go away, leave me alone to run free!'
The Rudder wishes the Sail would 'Follow my lead, stay on course!'
The Pilot does his best to keep Sail and Rudder working together.
Too poetic?
Welcome to the Ren rabbit hole. Enjoy your journey!
that rabbit hole is so deep and great...enjoy it.. Ren X Chinchilla - Chalk Outlines (live)
Beautiful reaction, you were both knowledgeable on the subject matter and music as well. He has so many songs in very different styles. Everybody would say The Tales trilogy (Jenny, Screech, Violet in that order) which I will agree (my faves). But he has more about mental health too, too many actually, but I can recommend How To Be Me (recommend the studio version, live version is great too), Chalk Outlines (live version absolutely recommended). These 2 are ballads, him collaborating with another artist (Chinchilla). Also rap songs, Genesis, Sick Boi (his latest single). From his old stuff Diapezam, Insomnia, Depression. So hard to choose really, all great songs. He has lighter, more fun stuff too btw. Also was part of a rock band called The Big Push, which has many great covers and original songs.
Thanks for the kind words! I think it's great he's got such a diverse range of styles I can't wait to hear more of his stuff in the weeks to come!
This performance gave me the ability to believe in myself again.
It's like the whisper from God that I've been yearning for.
"acoustic punk rap" is a great way to describe Ren great reaction man !
I call him Ren Gough. lol
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Rarely, but occasionally, we are given the opportunity to witness pure artistry because of people like this young man...what an absolutely beautiful soul!
I'm autistic and ADHD, too. I found out about Ren a week ago and have been going down the rabbit hole of listening to all of his songs and especially listening to the reactions to Hi Ren. It's just such an amazing performance and I've seen the reactions from everything from professional rappers to mental health professionals and filmmakers, and they all absolutely love this performance. I've likely listened to the song 40 or 50 times now and still am absolutely enthralled by it. Love your reaction and you have a new sub.
Thank you so much Spotastic! I do AUdhd content over on my other channel ruclips.net/user/neurodadversity - At the moment it's just random bits but hoping to make it more relevant content this year!
Thank you for the sub it's really appreciated. Looking forward to doing more REN on the channel!
what a voice.....great reaction
Great reaction 👍 Ren has a trilogy of Jenny and Screech (full) a stunning piece of work and so much more the man's an inspiration ✌️❤️🏴
Can't wait! Trilogies seem to be a popular request at the moment I've recorded a couple! Looking forward to it!
@@DivergentReactions And Ren is a Welsh born lad who lives in Brighton a diverse back catalogue to get in to👍
Love your take on this. Ren’s music is brilliant.
Thanks Aimee!
It's been so great watching the reactions by different people to this performance, this video will define this time of our lives.
Your reaction is my favorite so far. Ty don’t say too much, but you don’t say too little, either. Thank you for your insight & inspiration today.
Welcome to Rens beautifully twisted universe.
This is pure expression....pure art...pure GENIUS 🔥🙏🔥
Great reaction, thank you for your insight. Rens music is fantastic,for me he doesn't miss. I'm sure there will be many requests and you won't go wrong with any of them. I also respect how his music is starting conversations about really important stuff. Excited for more Ren reactions 💙 keep stepping forwards.
Thanks Ryan this is exactly why I do this channel - Of course most reaction videos are about learning new things, but for me I want to dig a little deeper but still make it enjoyable and relatable. So I have no doubt Ren will be top of my watch list!!!
I’ve listened to this so many times and it is still spine tingling.❤good job
A World-changing epiphany
I have ME/CFS and have been bed bound for about a year now, I've been sick since 14 - 15 and am now 19, feels like I've had the prime of my life stolen from me. I came across Ren because of his journey and his success. It blew my mind that someone close to my condition has done so much and come so far not letting anything stop him. It is incredible and he has inspired me.
And as he said, M.E and similair illnesses are horribly underfunded, barely researched, and doctors treat us horribly and think it's all in our head. Ren himself can relate to this, it's a truly traumatic experience.
I'm always amazed at the mental strength you and others face in such conditions. And you're right, hearing stories from people in similar situations is inspiring and what Ren is doing is an incredible achievement.
I've seen the struggles with "mystery illnesses" at the doctors like fibromyalgia and EDS especially and it can be infuriating. I have family members who've been trying to get help for years especially EDS but the "all in your head" mentality just means "we don't know what's causing it". And that's frustrating!
Much love. And hope.
Great reaction and analysis. Loved your insightful comments. "Hi Ren" is the song that put Ren on everyone's radar over the past month; it went viral and has garnered more than 3.5 million views since its debut, but he has been creating great music for more than 10 years. His latest release, "Sick Boi," is almost another chapter to "Hi Ren." I am 57 y/o, and I only recently learned about Ren and have gone down this rabbit hole ever since. Many of his songs resonate with me because he addresses struggles that I myself face every day.
A little background on Ren that I gathered from the internet. Ren pursued a career in music from an early age. In 2009, while studying music performance at Bath Spa University, he began to experience health issues and was struggling to attend his lectures. In 2010, he was signed by Sony Records and was working on an album when his health deteriorated to the point where he was unable to continue. His illness often kept him in bed for up to 23 hours a day. Ren was initially diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome. It would take seven years before he was finally correctly diagnosed with autoimmunity, Lyme disease, and brain damage. Ren eventually underwent stem cell therapy in the United States, which improved his health, but it has not been a cure. He is currently in Canada for more treatments.
He plays multiple instruments, has amazing vocals, is an excellent storyteller, and is quite the philosopher and poet. Check out the trilogy "The Tale of Jenny/Screech/Violet." It is haunting and has an unforeseen conclusion; WATCH THEM IN THE STATED ORDER, as this is the flow of the storyline or just watch “The Tale of Jenny & Screech (Full),” which includes “Violet’s Tale at the end. It is another example of Ren’s genius and a master’s class in storytelling.
Ren’s collaborations with Chinchilla (“Chalk Outlines,” “How to Be Me”) are beautiful and showcase his singing voice while addressing mental health. I would watch the official live music videos. "Chalk Outlines" is one of my favorite songs right now. Ren's personal reflections are threaded through many of his songs; "Insomnia," "Depression," “Diazepam," “Penitence,” “Dear God,” “Heretic,” “Dominos,” his "Freckled Angels" album, just to name a few, all deserve a listen. His song "Money Game" (Part I & II) is another recommendation.
His performances with Sam Tompkins (“Blind Eyed,” “Earned it /Mans World / Falling,” “Walking on the Moon), Eden Nash (“Humble,” “Ocean”), Bibi (“Crutch,” “Ahiahiaoha”), Molly McKinna (“Penitence”), his former bandmate, Romain Axisa (“French Song”) are all great. Ren's performances as a member of the band "The Big Push" (which unfortunately broke up) are awesome and well worth checking out, both the busking (street performances) and their live recordings. Ren's covers of "I Shot the Sheriff," "Oh My Woman," "Wade in the Water," "An Englishman in New York," and so many others are equally impressive and really give you a sample of his vocal ability.
Ren just released his latest single, “Sick Boi.” In anticipation of his stay in Canada for more treatments, Ren prepared some music ahead of time to be released over the next 3-6 months that he expects to be gone. "Sick Boi" is almost another chapter to "Hi Ren."
Thanks for your kind words Jens. Having been on my own personal journey these last couple of years I too can relate to so many elements of this song. I can't wait to delve deeper into his back catalogue too!
@@DivergentReactions I am looking forward to it. I have subscribed to your channel. God bless you.
@@JensRandolff Jens your Ren hi Ren 👍
Respectful and beautiful reaction!
Thank you Christy :)
It's to the point, now, that 'Hi Ren' reactions are their own genre.
There’s our boi! You’ve got my sub! Polyphia and now Ren! 🔥🖤
This is not mental illness.....ITS THE OPPOSITE! Its being human. We all have these thoughts...he says it in the song.... its been around since the dawn of time. Its our doubt , fear, insecurity, its the base of evil...a man made thing....its a battle with all the human emotions and that inner voice that keeps us locked inside.
I love this!
Ren's psychosis involved hallucinating a malevolent voice for most of his life. The song is about conversing with this hallucination. So yes, it is about his mental illness.
@@si8086 The song has been carefully constructed so that voice is the internal voice everyone has. If you or he wants to talk to it then thats fine but its still the same internal voice everyone has and is not a mental illness. How you choose to respond to it is.
Thank you for your moving reaction to the musical
Genius that is Ren. Your own story touched me in so many ways. I am a 47yr old mom and I “live” with severe chronic pain, numerous autoimmunity illnesses and mental health struggles that include depression, anxiety, PTSD, and nerve damage from my neck to my hips….oh as well as blown and collapsed disks, ADHD and dyslexia. My mom (who lives with me and my girls) also has numerous autoimmunity diseases, OCD and now dementia. I am a only child (as is she) and we watched my grandmother we knew and loved be taken from us but in slow motion and horribly….so I know what is coming. My first born, Andrew, was born is a rare and fatal genetic disease called HLH for short, and he passed away at 8 1/2 months old 2 weeks after be received his bone marrow transplant. My 2 girls also are Autistic, ADHD, severe mental health issues with Social Anxiety and Depression being the worst). I also simi-adopted my youngest BFF and she has been with us for many years now. She has all of the same diagnoses as them but her mental health struggles also include PTSD and Agoraphobia, also with some serious physical disabilities. I am on disability but it has been a continued fight to get them theirs but that is a different story, but being financially responsible for 4 adults on my very limited income is stressful to say the least. I am losing my mom to dementia everyday more and more but while I too am broken. This week our dryer and lawn mower broke on the same day but we don’t have the funds to fix them. I currently live in Kansas, USA and there is NO free mental health care or services for those without income or insurance. Watching them all suffer and continually getting worse, along with no money for food other than PB&J and Ramen noodles has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. I too have only found Ren recently, maybe a few months at most. I cannot even tell you how many times I have watched this video as well as Suicide/For Joe. It just has touched me so deeply. I have absolutely loved each and every song he has released (ie….lots of tears :). No idea why I just word vomited all that, likely because of the emotional connection of the song and your reaction, and other than the 4 mentioned and my Dr, I don’t talk to anyone. Lol. This was suppose to be a quick thank you so I am sorry about the word vomit. I look forward to watching your other reactions soon. 🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗
Suffering myself from double depression, depersonalization, anxiety disorder and a chronical pain disorder (e.g. 20+ days with headaches / month) for decades by now I feel so connected to Ren and this masterful piece of art he created and gave us. I wish I could hear the hope side stronger or at all. But he gives hope to hear hope some day.
wow thanks for sharing your story. When you say "he gives hope to hear hope", that's one of the most powerful things I've heard in a long time. That's so accurate.
Bless your heart!! Thank you for your reaction!!
He has put all the people that he references to shame ,,, go REN love ya bro
Such an honest reaction! Love it. This song has NOT left my collective conscious for at least 10 days and love the reactions and this one is GOLDEN! Thank you!
When I first watched this and didn't understand what I was watching the bum notes at the start really threw me.
You're the first reactor I've seen who mentioned it.
Loving watching reactions to Hi Ren, and I sill haven't tired of the song or Ren.
Watch Jenny/Screech/Violet in that order, also new release Sick Boi is soooooo good, hits the hammer squarely on the nail head, and hits hard. Money 1 & 2 are awesome.
Thanks for your take on Hi Ren, peace, love and hugs for you @Divergent Reactions. Subbed and smashed that like button.
Thanks so much Zed can't wait to react to more!
The beauty of this performance is that it is IMPOSSIBLE to know what to expect. It's a mind-boggling punch right in the head & heart 🤯💔 ending with a resonating, powerful message of inspiration and hope ❤️🔥🙏❤️🩹
Honest reaction, this work is quite brilliant and as you say next level art. I found more performances with Ren and his band The Big Push recorded on the streets of Brighton, which shows more of his amazing voice too. Definitely one to watch.
Thank you Julie. Can't wait to react to more of him and his band!
His blind eyed featuring angry parking garage attendant is amazing him and sam are golden
@@charlescooper8042 I loved the video of An Englishman in New York, when they were sitting on the sofa and a dog came in with a 'you're on my sofa look' climbed onto the sofa and settled down next to Ren like he was part of the act! He obviously liked the music!
@@julieyates405 I think one of my favorites is how to be me definitely looking forward to his new releases while he's in treatment
@@charlescooper8042 What is amazing is how many veteran musicians from the 80’s are sharing Ren’s work, and really raving about it. His content speaks to us all in our own ways. I really hope his treatment goes well and we can see him performing on the streets of Brighton in the summer. It was fabulous to see the spontaneous creativity and love for his work.
This is such a powerfully moving piece of music and artistry. If this was Ren's only good piece of music it would still be enough for me to be a huge fan of the guy. But it isn't his only good song. He has sooooo many. Ren is incredible human being, and artist.
Great reactions, knowledge and sense, you will fall in to this Ren rabbit hole now, the trilogy's, live white chalk lines, he has a band who are totally of the charts, money 1&2 so many to discover, look forward to watching your reactions
Thanks for your kind words - I can't wait to listen to more!!!
I have watched this many times since I first saw it 4 days ago. When he spoke at the end it was so emotional and I loved what he said about it being a pendulum. Very impactful 😊
Great reaction I suffer with poor mental health and I've been making progress lately!Well done on noticing the out of tune D string you're the first person who's noticed it.Brillant insight 💯
Most people don't expect things they cut off.
Thanks for the comment! Care to elaborate, not sure I understand!
Thank you for your sincere reaction! I liked this: "It is so different and so familiar." Pls react on Freckled Angels, Sick Boi, Chalc Outlines, Money Game(s), the Trilogy, and last: Eden. It's a landscape to digest, but it nobles life.
Respect. Fine reaction. Liked and subbed.
Thank you Chris!
Hello. I just came upon your reaction to Ren. I saw this song for the first time when it came out a bit back and was as blown away as you are. I must say your ability to pick up on some of the little intricacies is amazing. You're the first one who felt and heard the slightly out of tune bass string. It was purposefully slightly that way for us to experience constant unease/disease/discord as in the life experience of mental illness or chronic illness. I noticed it too at first and thought it was an amateur mistake and I quickly learned that it was calculated by a genius! His mind and words are breathtaking. I have MS and depression, and I can relate to the chronic battle of the body and mind. I'm sorry your Aunt had such a terrible battle with MS. It's cruel. Thank you for this excellent reaction. I'm subscribing for more.
Thanks for your kind words Lorri they mean a lot! Theres been some debate about that bass strong and even though it's in drop D, the way he plays it knocks if out of tune due to it being looser, so I agree with you on that one, it's definitely out of tune. Gives it a more haunting feel
In that respect it reminds me of Paranoid by Black Sabbath, that ever-so-slight off tuning adds to the sound.
You're a soldier for struggling through with MS. My uncle gave up everything to support my auntie and he's a hero in my eyes (as is my auntie who seemingly never worried about anything!)
@@DivergentReactions ❤🫂
You're so right about yhe camera angle changing,and also,it's at that point he looks into the camera for the first time. It's a 3rd character and, the true,balanced and strong Ren....
yeah that's a great way of wording it, true and balanced, like both sides are merging together to become a stronger unit!
Its drop D tuning, the D is in tune. 🙂
True. To me though it sounds out of tune at times due to the excess force on the string being loose, like he's bending it, that's my take on it. but yeah, it's deffo drop D!
Flamenco guitar twang
Great reaction man
So good I would call it art.
I have watched so many of these reactions to this song because I love it so much - but you are the first one to say anything about the out of tuned bass string - I thought I was the only one noticing it - It doesnt effect how I feel about the song at all but I was starting to think it must be just me - thanks.
Thanks Alicia glad you liked the reaction! Yeah I'm classically trained so I noticed it straight away! But I did think it added to the music, gave it something extra with the anger and hurt
@@DivergentReactions agreed
Not out of tune, tuned to Drop D. Love That Fingerpicking He did using the bass string was just leading the way.
And Didn’t Miss 1 Beat during the Whole Song. Hard to do Timing like that especially when the song is Chords are All OVER The Place. This was So Well Done, I am Very Impressed & that’s just Guitar. The Poetry, Next Level
You're right it's truly stunning art! He's a genius
I loved your reaction, Ren is a special treat.. If you want to react to some brilliant songs that also deal with metal health issues you should check out Avi Kaplan, he was the bass singer in Pentatonix but had to leave due to depression. He returned home and found peace in nature and started write his own original music which also helped him, and has helped many others. Three of his songs I would suggest are 'First place I go', 'Quarter past four', and 'I'll get by', I am sure you will enjoy the music and also the messages, they certainly helped me in my darkest moments.
Thanks Chris I've added Avi to the watch list - I want to do more reactions around these sorts of themes, I find the artistry so fascinating and as much as I love reacting to the stuff that's very different, it's nice to react to some more familiar themes too!
Thanks for your kind words :)
I shudder to think how many people in this situation, actually listen to that inner voice, when it says "You've Gotta' Kill You If You Wanna' Kill Me..."
Check out chalk outlines and how to be me
My fovorite ren song is Chaulk Outlines.
Thanks David I'll have to check that out!
As others say, the Jenny/Screech trilogy (in the correct order), Money Game pt1&2, Chalk Outlines with Chinchilla, Blind Eyed with Sam Tompkins (my favourite is the one with the angry car park attendant, anything with The Big Push. The acoustic version of genesis, the instangram version of How to be me. It's the Ren rabbit hole
A must-watch, is Jenny And Screech's Tale, it's one video on his channel, with three separate stories in it, that are somehow connected. Get your tissues ready ahead of time. 🥺
I will do for sure! it seems to be very highly recommended so it'll be on my watch list!
Bohemian Rhapsody - this shit is up there
Ren called it Bardcore.
That's an amazing name!
@@DivergentReactions agreed
My wife has Ehlers Danlos. It is debilitating that means more attention. Ren has a way of conveying his emotions in his art. Like I said I’m 61 years old this music ever hit me this hard.
In all the reaction videos’ comments sections for Hi Ren I see what seems like an infinite line of boxes. Boxes that hold, for safe keeping, the letters, labels and liabilities assigned to define and confine the mind.
I am not an acronym
I am not an initialism
I am not a symptom
I am not a diagnosis
I will not allow the DSM V to decide for me who I am
I look forward to meeting who I will be in the morning
Listen to jenny & screech please it's a three part trilogy. You will be even more amazed by this man's talent!
Thanks Rebecca tons of requests for that one (or three!) coming in!
I love Adam Jones!
Agreed! Took me a minute to get the reference though lol! Shame Wales are playing so badly at the moment though!
Nice work
Thanks! :)
Please listen to Violet’s Tale. It shows his depth of genius oand talent.
Watch the tale of Jenny, screech, and violet. In that order~•
some slightly less experimental but still very powerful songs bye Ren are "How to be me" and "Chalk outlines" both are songs he has done with another artist called chinchilla and they are hauntingly beautiful.
I've had a lot of requests for these so I'll be sure to add them to my watch list!
Check out his trilogy songs.. listen to the three of them. This young man is modern day bard. He's fucking brilliant!!!
Good show, his guitar is tuned down to drop-D tuning, gives it a bit more atmosphere imho
Ren is Welsh too he's from Bangor. And judging from your accent you must be from around that neck of the woods too. He's a national treasure.
You're the first person in a long time to spot a hint of Welsh in my accent! Grew up in England but born in Wales and all my family have Welsh accents, so that's probably what you're hearing (the english sprinkled with a bit of South Wales!)
Definitely react to sick boi. It is a Scream into the system, how somebody suffering feels let down by society and like a Guinea-pig to the medications offered.
I'll definitely check that out - As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent person I can totally relate to feeling let down by society. I feel like I'm entering a worthy rabbit hole!
Great reaction. Thanks. What is a mental health writer? Thanks friend
I blog about neurodiversity and mental health - Mostly on my website neurodiversitymatters.com but I do write for other people too. When I write for other people it's ghostwriting (so they get the credit), but if my website gets bigger I'll be able to write for other websites too!
Mixture of my own personal experiences and more general writing :)
Great reaction fella. Welcome to the rabbit hole known as Ren.
Do check out 'The Tale of Jenny and Screech' (Full). That one video puts the trilogy in order. Then, ( and only after that), check out the (360 live) version too.
Also check sick boi that dropped a week ago. That can be interpreted as a prequel to Hi Ren.
Also, Money Game pts 1 & 2, Ren x Chinchilla 'Chalk Outlines', (Live)....... I could go on and on but all I can do is recommend his music.
Thanks Pete, lots of requests for all those songs so I'm really looking forward to getting involved!
That closed captioning is not even close.
You're right it's awful🤣
Stages of watching Hi Ren:
This looks creepy
Guitar sounds nice
Oh, he’s singing
Will the whole song be like this?
Here’s the beat
Ok, he’s rapping now
This guy is scary
Now he seems nice
Oh, I see what he’s doing
This is interesting
This is intense
The mean guy is a jerk
This is INTENSE
Make it stop
I haven’t blinked or taken a breath in 2 minutes
Go Ren!
YES!
OOO-OO-OO-OO-OO-..
I need some time to be still
30 seconds of stunned silence
That's the most accurate review of this I've seen!
Check out Chalk Outline by Ren
Enjoyed your reaction! Checkout Ren performing with the The Big Push, his other solo work and other collaborations you can find on youtube. Besides the many covers The Big Push performed some original work that is excellent. Just about without fail I prefer The Big Push covers to the original. That is something because that is usually one in a thousand. The Big Push covers stick with me. A few weeks go by and A Big Push cover or original pops into my head. That does not happen frequently.
Awesome thank you! I've got a couple of solo reactions lined up but not The Big Push - I'll check them out!
Although I knew Ren's work from his fabulous rock band The Big Push (completely different genre), I came across his post Big Push stuff more recently. I knew he was extraordinary, but the versatility is staggering. That last monologue to camera is pretty much autobiography. Nearly a decade of illness following a failure to diagnose his Lyme's disease left him with a wrecked auto immune system and psychotic interludes. That makes this work all the more powerful. Bleak at times, yes, but ultimately uplifting and I congratulate him for that. I hope the treatment he's getting right now in Canada helps. One small technical detail about your commentary. You mentioned the bass string being out of tune. It isn't. He's playing in a drop D tuning. This is because the opening section is in D minor and it's the only way to get that extra low bass D note needed to add gravitas to that section as the rising and falling bassline is so important to the piece.
Late-diagnosed AuDHD with hEDS here and, personally, I think one of the reasons why this performance (I can't even bring myself to call it a song...live performance that crosses so many genres with distinct characters/voices/their own playing styles and lighting? I mean..."song" is woefully insufficient) resonates so much with me is that I can relate the inner negative Ren with how I feel trying to function in a neurotypical society not set up with my success in mind.
No matter what I do it's never enough. No matter how much I'm struggling and genuinely trying, it's still "laziness" or "attention-seeking". If I carefully word something so as to eliminate possibilities for misunderstanding, then my tone somehow still lands me in an argument.
So, yeah, I definitely have that inner voice that is a combination of all the ways NTs have made me feel inadequate...but I also definitely have my inner voice that knows I have perspectives that others don't, that I'm gifted in ways that others aren't, that I have value.
Obviously, that wasn't where Ren was specifically going with it, but the beautiful thing about art is once it is turned loose on the world, it takes on a life of its own and its meaning becomes myriad.
Ouch. That's a bit of a novel. If you made it through all that, I'll suggest (as others have), the trilogy of Tales but also one that I don't see getting a lot of love because it doesn't have a flashy video...Dominoes.
Wow. Reading that was like reading into my soul. Thankfully the ADHD hyperfixation kept me going to the end ;)
Jokes aside, your story is very similar to mine. Feel free to add my personal socials @neurodadversity (youtube, tiktok, etc) where I do more neurodivergent content - I have a Discord server too if it's of interest. Just a small bunch of late-diagnosed ND, but it's a good community :) - Which reminds me, I've got a Divergent Reactions section in there ready for when I invite more people in!
Thanks for your comment it really resonated with me :)
Hey, I may write novels in comments, but at least my ADHD bits remind my Autism bits that paragraph breaks = accessibility for goblin brains ;)
I'm a little old school and find myself a little overwhelmed with things like Discord/tiktok/Twitch/whatever new-fangled social media thing will pop up next week, so I'll pass on some of that for now (but file it away in case I'm ever feeling a bit braver and ready to dip my toes in the water) but will definitely check out your other yt channel.
Glad my rambles were well-received and thanks for the chat :)
Apart from WHAT he was singing, HOW he delivered it covered so many bases... incredible. I heard everything from rap to metal to classical even opera. He only missed out on Mongolian Throat Singing IMO. His blend of atonal dissonance & the almost childish rhythmic clap-along tune kept me hooked.
Even that monologue at the end was absolutely riveting.
As a piece of 'Art' in it's entirety, it stands out from the herd.
I've seen the comment that it's the Bohemian Rhapsody of it's time & my instinct is to immediately slap that bit of heresy down... but I can't...
His 'inner-demon' message is full of tropes & clichés that us older guys have heard forever, which he alludes to when he castigates himself for his unoriginality & plagiarism... but his delivery IS original and while I'm fairly sure I don't suffer from any clinical neuroses, you could relate to every word even if you've only ever been held back by self doubt.
Amazing song.
It could be his opus but he's so young, what might he produce in the future?
I think Freddie was a similar age when BoRhap came out so it wouldn't surprise me if this is his opus!
Wow... You're the first reactor to have adverts switched on...
I'm not monetized on this video (at time of writing for sure) so any ad revenue goes to Ren/his publisher!
Caulk outlines Ren
His guitar is not out of tune.
It's an alternate "Drop D" tuning. And the song is in D minor which adds to the dark/chaotic feeling.
Think Sleaford Mods could fit into the “punk rap@ thing too check em out if you haven’t
YES very true, great band!
I have M.S.
If. you want another Ren suggestion you need to watch Money games 1 & 2.".."
Sounds Spanish more than classical, but I still see your comparison.
Valid point! I guess nylon-string Spanish guitar was what I was going for, but I'm used to calling it a classical guitar!
@Divergent Reactions I hate the sound usually, but I'm a terrible campfire guitarist 👍😂
🙏🙏 Great reaction! 👏👏💐 MY daughter has ALS (4yrs) It is a HORRIBLE disease! They tested her for Lyme too! Sorta wish it would have been. 😢😢 ✌️❤️🔥🔥🎶🎶🎶💯😎 Ren is AMAZING and his BUSKING....😱😃❤️🔥❤️🔥 SUBBED for MORE! Have you heard of NF?😱🔥🔥🔥💯 He is ANOTHER GENIUS and doesn't curse! 😏
I haven't heard of NF no - I'll have to check him out too! Also yes ALS is horrible. And full respect to you because anyone who cares for someone with such conditions is stronger than all of us. My uncle cared for my auntie with her MS from day one and I honestly don't know how he had the energy. Thanks again :)
So many jumping on the Ren analysis bandwagon? Yours was more real..and didn't talk the video to death ..some of us here are having to live with this everyday of our lives because our life support ..Gov. doesnt really support those with mental health problems.?only certain Royal family members to be trendy at the time.. but nothing really happens to solve the problem ..
Thank you Keith I really value comments like these - That's why I wanted to explain at the start. I've seen some of my favourite reactors butcher the analysis because they can't truly resonate - I think so far I've only seen Justin Hawkins react with true emotion as I know he's been through addictions and MH issues.
You're absolutely right, the government doesn't do enough. In my career as a freelancer I'm restructuring now to offer additional support for Access to Work applicants (government-funded scheme) and trying to "fill in the gaps" so people get the right help and support. Work and self-employment is my speciality in that sense, but I know some people like Ellie Middleton are making waves with schools and corporate too.
I'm also in my third year of applying for PIP. But that's a conversation for another day! So I can totally relate. Again, thank you for your kind words Keith and best wishes
The bass string isn't out of tune, it's in a drop-d tuning.
I realised this later on, but I think it Bends the note slightly as he plays aggressively due to being super loose, makes it sound more unstable but you're right it is drop d I missed that one!
@@DivergentReactions Yeah, he does bend the strings at times. It helps add to the feeling of insanity on certain parts.
Now…let’s see AI do this. Not happening.
Nothing beats a human brain for sure!
I've watched loads of reactions to Hi Ren and - setting the more serious points discussed aside for a moment - you seem to be the first person who has picked up on the (at times) aggressive/slightly out of tune and - in a classic/technique sense - less than perfectly played guitar. Ren is clearly a very, very skillful player so I'm sure those heavily hit strings are either a deliberate nuance, or a manifestation of the rawness of emotion of playing something so personal that is being translated to the strings. Either way it's a wonderful additional element of characterisation to compliment the lyricism, delivery and content, just another hint that this is a very real thing. Please allow me to compliment you for your perceptiveness for noticing that.
Thanks for your kind words! I agree everything about his performance feels deliberate in that respect, but also instinctive and natural, which is what gives it such an honest raw feel. Thank you ☺️
I have Lupus and PTSD and this is me except not a musician.
I sometimes feel like music is the closest we'll get to understanding such experiences without going through them ourselves. I watched The Pain Remains by Lorna Shore and that was a very similar eye-opening journey
The guitar is a Cordoba Flamenco. Looks like a classical but has the Flamenco out of tune twang
We are not angels, or devils, or gods - we are just humans. But we all are also animals. I think Ren tells us this when he is hooting like a chimpanzee (or so I imagine) at the beginning and also repeated at the end. It brings us down to earth and it grounds us.
That's a great way of looking at it I never thought to link those two things together but it does make sense, almost like a primal anguish!