It’s not a secret: we are big fans of Hannah Robinson. A staple of the UK Northern alt-rock scene, the talented artist has spent the last couple of years navigating from expansive shoegaze territories into gloomier, haunting alt-rock shorelines. Such transition has worked, as ‘Who I Am’ so clearly showcases. Robinson’s latest effort, the record adventures into striking, intense and contemporary rock influences, while still featuring hints of eclecticism and gaze-esque catharsis.
Take Hannah’s vocals, for instance: while decisively fuzzy and potent, they still carry a certain space around them. It gives ‘Who I Am’ a smoother sonic livery, likely making the piece palatable to a wider audience. Such a nuanced artistic formula then meets its lyrical counterpoint, exploring the psyche of a narcissistic man living in a false reality. Yes, ‘Who I Am’ is a rather obscure, melancholic record. Yet, even among such darkness, Robinson manages to find the light switch, giving the overall piece a dynamic, almost anthemic quality.
Speaking about the inspiration behind it, the British talent explains: “I’ve always been drawn to expressing my own thoughts on paper, but this time, I felt urged to explore someone else’s. I wanted to craft a story about the classic narcissist; someone blind to their own negativities. To capture the intensity and toxicity of such a character, I made the music as raw and aggressive as possible, making sure it matched the unsettling nature of their delusional personality.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Who I Am’ on Spotify:
