“HUMAN” starts with a question which remains with you long after you’ve heard the beginning: what does it mean to be human? TaniA Kyllikki takes up this question and develops it into a heartfelt blend of techno and house music, with a focus on race, difference, equality, compassion and the various ways in which people let labels divide them. The very first words, “Human, that’s what we are”, quickly show what direction the song is heading in, and the continual questioning of how we can live in harmony gives the piece a reflective character. Instead of just making a statement, “HUMAN” prompts the listener to stop and think about the people surrounding them.
The difference between Kyllikki’s heartfelt way of singing and Rynellton’s electronic production is what gives the song much of its character. Her voice shifts from quiet, intimate sections to powerful, soaring notes and includes complex runs, thereby bringing the emotional content of the words to the forefront. Meanwhile, Rynellton creates hypnotic rhythms, atmospheric textures and pulsating electronic energy which give the song a strong feeling of movement. The production ensures that the track stays linked to the dancefloor while at the same time keeping its message clearly heard, achieving an uncommon combination of soulful expression and techno-house energy.
As the song deals with the themes of judgement, difference and equality, its wording grows more direct. The constant questioning concerning humanity and harmony seems almost as if the song is having a conversation with the listener, and the call to ‘come together and pray’ clearly adds a spiritual dimension. The song does not try to offer a straightforward solution to the problems it is discussing; rather, ‘HUMAN’ keeps coming back to the ideas of humility, empathy, love and the possibility of looking beyond the labels which divide people. Because of this the song has a feeling of openness and thus its main question stays relevant all through.
“HUMAN” was jointly created by Kyllikki and Rynellton and is based on the combination of her vocal concepts and his production skills. The resulting track alternates between intimacy and electronic intensity without losing focus on its main theme. Thanks to its techno-house base the song has a tangible sense of movement, while its soulful vocal performance provides the emotional aspect. As a single from the upcoming album FREE-SPIRITED, “HUMAN” offers a unique mixture of sound and message, employing movement, questioning and soulful expression to examine something essentially common: our humanity.
