Art Pop from Oh Hannah

Based in London, independent musician and singer-songwriter Oh Hannah has built her artistic output around a love of piano, songwriting and a nostalgic sense of atmosphere. Taking cues from artists including Lana Del Rey, Kate Bush, Julee Cruise and Regina Spektor, she creates music that feels dreamy, delicate and sweet, allowing melody and emotion to form in the same space. Her work has an intimacy to it, as though each composition is opening a small window into somewhere slightly removed from everyday life.

Oh Hannah first introduced that world as a solo artist in 2023 with her debut single “Alexi” and after stepping away from releasing her original music for a period, she returned this year with new material, bringing with her a new sense of artistic intent and a song that expands considerably on the emotional and imaginative qualities of her first chapter. Her sophomore single titled “In Kyoto” is an exploration of love, separation and the complicated ways people remain connected despite distance.

Hannah describes the song as being penned while she was trying to make peace with separation from people she loved; the ending of a long-term relationship, a sister moving to the other side of the world and the loss of a friend to cancer. By not treating those experiences as separate forms of grief, the song creates a space where reunion remains possible, whether that reunion belongs to this world or something beyond it.

Thematically, the song recounts a Japanese folk tale originating from China, telling the story of two celestial beings, Orihime and Hikoboshi. They fall deeply in love and become so consumed by one another that they neglect their labour and their punishment is permanent separation, divided by the Milky Way, with permission to reunite just once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month. It’s an ancient story, but Hannah uses it to explore feelings that remain endearingly human.

Love doesn’t necessarily disappear simply because someone is no longer physically present, sometimes distance changes the shape of a relationship, leaving imagination and memory to bridge the gap. Framed in a delicate art pop setting, the song opens with the swell of orchestral tones which grow subtly erratic as the flutter of twinkling piano plinks usher in Hannah’s elegant vocals. Flowing with bouncy piano runs and sweeping strings performed by violist and indie folk artist Emmi Maaria, the song glides with intricate rhythmic shifts and expressive vocal leads carrying picture painting lyrics, offering a charming musical moment unlike any other.

Recorded in a single take on an old upright piano at a studio in Camden, the piano parts were performed by Callum Mcleod, a West End pianist who also works as a band member and Musical Director for Michael Ball. The decision to capture the piano in one take brings a sense of intimacy to the performance, preserving the feeling of a piece playing out naturally, resulting in a delightful in-the-moment feel.

“In Kyoto” ultimately feels like an extension of Oh Hannah’s fascination with nostalgia, dreams and emotional storytelling. Its folk-tale context gives those ideas a mythic scale, while the personal experiences behind the song keep it tethered to something recognisable. Marking her return in superb fashion, we can’t wait to see what Oh Hannah has in store next on her compelling musical journey.

Listen to In Kyoto below

More from Music

---

Editor Picks

---