Hanan Townshend Releases Emotional Single “What We Lost II”
Have you ever noticed how some music feels like it was written in a giant, fancy studio, while other songs feel like they’re sitting right next to you in your living room? Hanan Townshend’s new single, “What We Lost II,” is definitely the second one. Hanan is a big-deal film composer in Austin—he’s worked on movies like The Tree of Life—but for this project, he stepped away from the big Hollywood screens to do something way more personal.
The story behind this track is actually pretty beautiful. He recorded it at home on his kid’s upright piano. He didn’t want it to be perfect; he wanted it to sound raw, like real life. You can even hear the clicking of the piano keys. While he was recording, birds and crickets outside his window started chirping. At first, he tried to block them out, but then he realized they belonged there. He even put microphones outside to let the birds “sing” along with the piano.
The song itself is a slow, quiet blend of piano and strings. It doesn’t rush anywhere. It just kind of breathes. Hanan started this project by asking a heavy question: “If music played when loss first entered the world, what would it have sounded like?” It sounds like a sad starting point, but the music isn’t just depressing. It feels more like a quiet memory or a long walk.
Since Hanan grew up on a remote farm in New Zealand, he’s used to silence that feels “full” of wind and distance. You can really hear that patience in “What We Lost II.” It’s the kind of music that doesn’t demand your attention with loud drums or flashy tricks. It just asks you to sit still for a minute.
If you’ve had a rough year or just need a second to breathe, this track is like a deep exhale. It’s simple, honest, and feels very human because of those little “imperfections” he left in. It’s the first taste of his upcoming album, What We Lost, and honestly, if the rest of the record is this peaceful, we’re in for a treat.
Enjoy More From Hanan Townshend here;
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