Renée Millner: New Single + Video 'So Much'

MusicReviews

14 Sep

KATIE BROWN - 14 SEP 2021

Renee Millner So Much — *PHOTO SUPPLIED*

“Sing from your heart so you can feel it”

New single “So Much” from Taranaki soul-folk artist Renée Millner is a pertinent and heart-warming ode to the power in owning our true colours and learning to see the beauty in them - and not just this, but in learning to see the goodness surrounding us, waiting to be received. As Renée says, “There’s an abundance of good in the world, and it’s there all the time if we know how to receive it. And yet, so much of the time, we just aren’t aware of it.”

Directed by Hugo Eaton, the accompanying video to “So Much” features a central character wrestling with identity (portrayed by Leon Crean (Taranaki Hard)), who is depicted at the beginning of the video descending into self-doubt and wiping off the makeup of his real personality in his car before attending a family reunion. The video shifts, and in a nighttime outdoor setting that is infused with a kind of magical spirituality, the character is shown surrounded by loving friends, revelling in all of the different aspects of themselves - appearance, clothing, personality. It’s a generous and gentle video that reflects the meaning of the single: we’re all worthy of being loved and celebrated for who we really are.

Built around the backbone of Renée’s signature guitar and soulful vocals, the catchy and compelling “So Much” with its softer verses and big, expansive choruses demonstrates the intentions of an artist who continues to enfold deeper meanings and messages in her music, as an action that is so intrinsic to her that it naturally flows out in whatever she writes. The contrast between the toned-down verses and emotive, driving choruses acts with a kind of push-pull that mirrors the two sides of the self that Renée writes about: she says, “I didn't set out to write an anthem about love and self-acceptance, however, it turned into me writing a conversation between the two voices in my head. The one that sometimes forgets its beauty and uniqueness, as opposed to the one who always has your back, who possesses incredible resilience. I believe that message, as cliché as it may sound, is a message of hope that young people struggling can easily relate to. And having Leon as the lead brings those two voices to the forefront through the visual presentation of the song”.

“So Much”, produced by Sam Johnson of Rhythm Ace Studios in Oakura, follows on from “Fly Me Back” and “Out Their Windows” as the third of a trio of singles released by Renée this year. Each translates as a different facet to the same whole, and it’s a whole that is affirming, honest and sincere, and brimming over with a nurturing warmth and depth.

Watch the video for “So Much” below.