Montreal singer-songwriter Hanorah just released her new EP, Closer Than Hell, on Ensoul Records—and it offers a gentle escape from the moment you press play.
Blending elements of R&B, shoegaze, and rock, Hanorah’s sound channels the gentle strength and lyrical depth of ’60s and early ’70s songstresses like Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell. Her vocals—pure, honest, and angelic—glide effortlessly over lush, full-band arrangements, creating a sonic experience that feels both intimate and expansive.
The four-track EP opens with “Matty,” a nostalgic standout that feels like listening to a classic on a sunny afternoon, even though it’s brand new. Warm harmonies and a wistful chorus give the track a timeless quality, setting the tone for the rest of the EP.
“Barbed Wire” follows with a melancholic edge, building slowly before unraveling into a soft, explosive climax around the 2:14 mark. Strings swell, Hanorah belts with raw emotion, and the song closes with a cinematic punch—arguably one of the most sonically pleasing moments on the project.
“Heavenly One,” a personal favorite, lives up to its name. It’s the softest offering on the EP, laced with a subtle country twang and a swaying, rocking-chair rhythm. It washes over you slowly, gaining weight and beauty with every passing second.
The closing track “Untitled (I Left My Body to Love You)” is haunting and minimal—a slow-burning confession that feels like a spiritual release. “I left my body to love you, said I do,” she sings, as wind instruments and airy harmonies rise around her, lifting the track into something sublime. It’s the perfect final chapter to a deeply emotional listen.
Closer Than Hell is a body of work that fully embraces emotional vulnerability while showcasing Hanorah’s voice in its rawest, most powerful form.
Each second feels intentional. Each track builds with patience and care, often ending in a soaring, rock-tinged crescendo that leaves you suspended in its emotional afterglow.
Those who get it will recognize Hanorah’s gift for reimagining the sounds of the past and transforming them into something entirely her own—timeless, elegant, and resonant.
