During quarantine, days feel long and hours even longer. Some of our thoughts get stuck in a loop of different hopes, anxieties, and boredom - at least mine do. Sometimes I spent the whole day thinking, "Am I gonna stay in sweatpants forever?", "Will the next season of Euphoria will be on Zoom because people can't go outside?", "Are my grandparents ok?"

One day, my brain just slowed down, and with it came more empathy for my body and heart. Suddenly, I enjoyed being alone in my apartment, drinking tea to strengthen my immune system.

During one of my Release Radar listening sessions on Spotify, a sweet angelic voice began to sing. The song was This Is Your Life, from New York-based singer-songwriter Hannah Cohen's third album, Welcome Home, released in 2019.

Hanna's sound on the album is dreamy, introspective and extremely comfortable. Mixing folk and pop, she invites you to meet her intimacy in a Carole King mood. For me, it was truly a sparkling moment to my ears and thoughts. Each instrument she uses from bursts of pulsing guitar, bass, or drums can captivate joy and lightness in our darkest times.

The album's atmosphere echoes a day lying in the grass, watching the sun, reflecting on thoughts, and drinking a nice cold tea by the pool. Hannah's music is totally a must for you romantics out there.

I had the pleasure to talk to her about her album, inspirations, her creative process during quarantine and more.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

João Rodolfo for Also Cool Mag: What does Welcome Home represent to you? What do you want people to feel while they listen to it?

Hannah Cohen: For me, the songs felt like a meditation on the things I wanted to manifest in my life. I wanted change, a fresh start. I wanted to create a real home for myself physically and spiritually. All the constant energy of the city was too intense for my nervous system. I never felt like I was at home when I was living in NYC.

Also Cool: In your lyrics, we can feel that you were in a state of self-examination, isolation and outgrowing what no longer served you. Could you tell us more about your experiences while creating Welcome Home?

Hannah: When I was writing the songs for Welcome Home, I finally realized I needed to leave the city. Moving to the countryside was a very intimidating and foreign idea to me, but I knew I needed a big change.

I was scared to make such a drastic change in my life, but I felt that would be the only way to really shake things up. I feel like the universe notices when you make big shifts, and things will start to fall into places quicker than you'd think.

AC: Which song off the album is your favourite, and why?

Hannah: I would say Old Bruiser is my favourite. It is a capsule of a really special time for me when I was letting go of things that weren't serving me anymore.

AC: During these dark times and lockdowns, what can we learn about isolation with Welcome Home?

Hannah: Home can be anywhere you feel safe. Try to find that space in your mind.

Hannah Cohen

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João Rodolfo is a trend forecaster, pop culture lover, writer and editor in chief of Sticky Icky Mag and Emma Roberts enthusiast.

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