Focused on facing inner demons, Eunice Keitan’s “Ninani” looks at the upcoming Halloween from a refreshing angle. Through the various movies, music videos and what not, the pop culture has rewired our brains to approach it as yet another “fun” holiday. The personal struggles with what’s haunting us have been reduced to trick or treating and such, disposing of the serious layer of self-reflection. Eunice Keitan is attempting to bring it back.
“Ninani”, as per Eunice’s own words focuses on ‘facing our darkest inner demons and declaring ourselves the masters of our own minds and futures.” Musically oscillating between Boom Bap beats and world music influences, the song offers more than meets the eye (well, the ear, in this case). Eunice, a Malaysian-Canadian singer-songwriter introduces instruments which you would normally not expect in this genre. Notably, the flute, played by the internationally renowned flutist, Anh Phung. The result? An unexpected journey encompassing the contrasting realms of the inner self, and the external musical experience blending psychedelia, trip hop and world music together.
With “Ninani”, Eunice Keitan delivers an unusually beautiful experience. Food for thought disguised as a fusion of modern and traditional sounds which offer true reflection. We all face our demons everyday, sometimes with more, and sometimes with less success. But we do fight them with our internal power, which now has music as an ally. A sonic armour of sorts, it expels the dark thoughts, and allows the positive, cleansing energy to enter. Sounds magical and otherworldly, doesn’t it?
Photo: Press release
Thank you for such a thoughtfully written piece Bartek.
You are very welcome! 🙂
Wow what a thoughtful look at the song, i love how you explored the inner depths of Eunice’s art!
Magical and Otherworldly ow yes 🪄🔮
What an insightful commentary of Eunice’s song and highlighting her complex creative arts. I like the deep feel of this song. “Ninani” sounds a bit disturbing at the beginning, bringing out an intense struggle, culminating in a sense of closure: a victory – a key signature of Eunice’s song. Bravo!
Thank you everyone for such kind comments! We are all in full agreement and I am personally waiting for Eunice’s next song already! <3
More than meets the eyes, so dead right. Lovely write up.
So true—our greatest battles are often with the demons within. The lyrics resonate deeply, and the artist’s determined delivery makes them even more powerful.
The idea ‘facing our darkest inner demons and declaring ourselves the masters of our own minds and futures’ is a genuine one. Thank you for exploring that through our song.
I have a suggestion : please make the lyrics available so one can read it too.
Great suggestion, thank you – here are the lyrics! 🙂
I struggle to surface,
at times I can barely breathe.
It’s got me feeling so helpless, like I could never leave.
These demons never cease to change,
but they always seem to know my name,
whispering words of pure deceit
that I’m destined to repeat.
Ni-na-na-ni-na-na-ni
These thoughts, they turn on a dime,
are playing games with my mind.
They do it with ease, but it’s brought me to my knees.
Me and my delusions – I thought I would be fine
It’s planting the seed; the cycle’s complete, and I’m destined now to repeat.
Ni-na-na-ni-na-na-ni
No one has ever seen the battles I’ve fought within.
From beginning to end, I’ve done it again, and again, and again.
But things don’t have to stay the same.
I know that I can still reclaim
a mind that’s only known defeat
I’m not destined to repeat.
Ni-na-na-ni-na-na-ni
The song brings out an important message: we must persevere in our fight to break the chains that bind us and set ourselves free to live.