Imagine a melody that feels like a warm embrace from a close friend, comforting yet stirring, familiar yet fresh. Dive into the newest single by Tara Van, “Hello Human.” The Toronto-based singer-songwriter of chameleon-like, genre-blending style, with roots in soul, folk, pop, and jazz, does it again on a piece that only her creativity could pull together—yet another feel-good, spiritually uplifting one, yet also deeply introspective to endear to her fans. ‘Hello Human’ is the gentle reminder to the earth that life has its balance, and we all play our parts. Tara’s smooth, alluring vocals slide flawlessly over the song, luring one into a world where soaring harmonies and whimsical wonderment reign. Co-produced with Malory Torr and Patrick Cederberg, this track captures the Tara vision: childlike wonder wrapped in an inviting, enveloping musical score.
The roots of the track ‘Hello Human’ lay in a peaceful moment in Panama when Tara wrote the song, looking at the ocean. The song was inspired by the natural world and the perils of modern life. The lyrics of the song talk about mindfulness: its beauty and fragility. It is a sweet melody with an urgent touch as it asks that some action in our lives be taken, initiated by reconnecting with the earth and each other. Musically, ‘Hello Human’ features a diverse taste spectrum, courtesy of Tara Van. There are hints of Joni Mitchell’s searching storytelling, the soulfulness of Stevie Wonder, and the energetic playfulness of Lake Street Dive. Yet, it’s still all Tara—voice and style—a combination of gutsy boldness and tender vulnerability. In an enthused account of the process, Tara relates that, upon first listen to Malory Torr’s enchanting arrangement, she could hardly help but smile ear to ear. Acoustic ukulele combines with lushly layered harmonies for a sonic experience that is, by turns, both intimate and expansive. It’s the kind of music you can close your eyes to and let the world melt away for a few minutes.
The work of Tara Van has always been highly self-reflective and, in this sense, ‘Hello Human’ is no different. She does not let the messiness put her off but meets it with open arms as if to tell the listener to do the same. Her music is a reminder of the world so often filled with something more related to community, or of getting out and into the world with its natural beauty surrounding us. In her words, Tara reflects on the modern world’s ‘life dysmorphia,’ where convenience often overshadows the simple pleasures of life. ‘Hello Human’ is an assertion of celebration about these simple joys and a gentle critique of the comforts that would alienate us from the earth. It’s literally a song that hopes all of us can step out, get our hands dirty, and take a really good look at the world in which we live.
Tara Van’s “Hello Human” has to be one of the most deliciously thought-provoking listens of the year, a song that lingers long after the last note fades. Whether you’re a long-time listener or one who has recently gotten turned on to Tara’s music, this track serves as perhaps the most sublime entreé into the world of a woman for whom music is more than just an expression—it’s a way of life. So take a deep breath, and let ‘Hello Human’ remind you of the beauty in the everyday, the magic in the mundane, and the importance of staying connected to the world around us.
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You can listen to ‘Hello Human’ below:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.