We all have times when we need to be told who we are.

Throughout our lives there will be times when we are less than thriving, getting through the day and calling it surviving. Activites that once brought us joys are now just tiring. There are days we don’t need to stand in front of the mirror to know we look good but there are others when we sit, entranced, scrutinising every stretch mark, every line, wishing for it to change. A spilled coffee on a new skirt, a train missed with seconds to spare, a phone with no messages, does anybody care?

Sickness and anger, days lost to darkness and nights spent awake. This need to hide away, to cry uncontrollably and swear at the stars, can all be a remedy but it’s also important to step into the sun, try to see the art in the spilled mess and enjoy the time between the next train. Sometimes all you need is something to remind you of who you are and Hilla’s EP does that expertly.

Track one: Remind me who I am.

The EP is born with a soft piano ballad, soothing and romantic, a tale that navigates the feeling of doing so much and getting nowhere, the confusion of inertia in motion whilst the energetic crescendo of the chorus pulls us into reality; we are still ourselves despite our surroundings, and we can over come how disorientating life without routine can be, and then how to mange the monotony of a routine we didn’t choose, juggling the dance of identity and social conformity, learning to mould our world to fit our own needs and realising we only have ourselves to live for and who we are should be enough to get us through.

Track 2 Addiction Baby

Addiction Baby offers a contrasting upbeat feel that’s fun to dance to despite depicting the details of a toixc relationship that cements itself to your mind, fixating on one person and forgetting yourself. Characetrised by its catchy lyrics and optimistc beat this song reflects hwo many of us feel when submerged in a smothering relatiosnhip, at first we are hoepful that things will be different, yet a few months down the line we are still waiting on that promise delivery of change.

Illustrating how memories can become addictive, we replay scenarios,changing them to reflect how we wish they had played out can become a pastime, idealising certain people, that in reality are actually quite toxic, but learning to realsie this comes with time, and letting them go can take even longer. When the situation is buried it’s importnat to reflect and forgive yourself for staying.

Track 3 One of a kind

One of a Kind is an ode to self love. As one of th emost complicated strains of love, coming to terms with who we are takes practice. We tend to perceive most of who we are through the eyes of others, our parents, lovers, bosses, and friends,who we are rides upon how they see us. We find ourselves asking them how we can be better, what they ecpect from us and how we can exceed this, exhausitng oursleves to be something we are not, feeling as though we must constantly balance who we are with how we are seen and trying to fall comfortably in-between leading to a crisis of self.

Here Hilla celebrates how it is to act authentically, remaining true to your own identity, the one you have decided for yourself, reminding us that we are one of a kind. Relinquish you’re own power by telling yourself you are who you are an dif you’re ging to be anything different it is because you chose to change. This song clebrates transformation and changes and introduces a more optimsitic light to the EP.

Track 4 WHAT YOU DO

Secure in who she is this song clebrates how Hilla has grown both in all aspect so fher life, finally feeling a sense of security within who she come to be. This feeling calls for a dance track, acknowledging what you do, taking time to look at your achievements and allow yourself those days when you’re feeling down. This track encourages the listner to keep on going, doing what they’re doing and refusing anyone that tries to hold them back.

Following on from the attitude in One Of a Kind this song reminds us that when it feels like no one is there you, you have yourself and you are more than enough. You’re leading your own life, taking pain and triumph in your stride. The upbeat instrumentals explore a dancey narrative, a sure fire way to get you ready for your morning commute, or meeting those exercise milestones this song is all-about what you can do and learning to love yourself for it all.

Track 5 Focus on you

This song has a very noughties, Kylie Myongoue vibe to it that’s both lively and reflective, you’ll find yourself dancing through your emotions. Life is contant and there is always someone else to be thinking o, you may be a parent with a partner, with a friend’s brihtday to plan and school dinners to make, a house to clean and work emails to answer , most days you manage it all without so much of a nod of gratitude but htere are days when the workload is too much, you’re fed up and you’ve had enough, it’s time to find time for yourself, with the kids in bed and the brithday card sent it’s time to focus on you, relive your youth.

Stick this track on and have a sing along, take time to remember who you are and forget your surroundings, be grounded and present with who you are, forget who you are trying to be and who you were, be with yourself how you are now and feel at peace.

Track 6 Unless

The EP ends in surrender, allwoing you to lay down your weapons, putting away the sword you have been busy sharpening your sword only to find you were preparing for the wrong battles, too busy trying to carry other people’s weight. Sometimes the war is worth it, emotions need to be expressed and situations need to be solved but what’s the point in wasting your energy if it falls on deaf ears. Fight the battles for the person you want to make peace with. Orchestral and empowering this song gives in to love, allowing us to be who we are with the people that appreciate us in our own right, encourgaging us to exert our efforts for those who will appreciar them and doing what matters in the moment.

Keep up to date with Hilla on her socials for more reminders to be who you are even when the world is telling you to be something different.