Classical Composer Reacts to REN: Animal Flow | The Daily Doug (Episode 584)

#ren #animalflow
In this edition of #thedailydoug, I'm returning to music by Ren. I first heard his music two months ago...and I haven't been the same since. I see a generational talent in Ren, especially in his language. He, again, has quite a bit to say here...and packs it all into a dynamic 3-minute tour-de-force. I hope you all enjoy as much as I did!
Reference Video: • Ren - Animal Flow (Off...
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[@liamjoyce7774]

If you do the full Jenny and Screech Violet trilogy... DON'T READ THE LYRICS FIRST!

[@inuchan74]

I agree. Totally bring them up to follow but don't read ahead!

[@acradic]

Agree!!!!!

[@PurePT]

Essential advice!!

[@bethosbornefischer3315]

This is a one shot video, shot by his friend Luke Flagg. The space they are shooting in starts in another friend's apartment. The greenery was scavenged by Ren and his friends, then fixed to the walls of the apartment. His influences were Kubrick films Eyes Wide Shut, A Clockwork Orange, and The Shining, and Orwell's Animal Farm. There are also a ton of easter eggs. In a recent interview with rapper/YT reactor Knox Hill, Ren said that he didn't tie the song to Animal Farm until they actually started filming the video. He also said that the song itself wasn't intentionally written to necessarily have extremely profound messaging, but that he finds it interesting that so many of us have found it to be very profound. Hopefully Ren will stumble on this review, because it is exceptionally well-done! Sub more than earned.

[@ClearTheRubble7]

I think that's part of the reason why Ren is such a good artist; He's put so much work into his compositions (besides having natural talent) that he almost subconsciously, intuitively and spontaneously injects symbolism and meaning into even his "meaningless" songs, lol. The Kubrick and last-minute Animal Farm references are a great example of that. I thought that even the teaser video he released before the premiere implied that we were in for a momentous occasion, which it turned out to be.

[@898cookie5417gurl]

I recently saw another reaction comment and someone pointed out two legs bad 4 legs good. At the end hes leaning on his cane (3 legs) which ties into his dark/light we are all human thing from hi ren. He either was trying to pimp walk or it's a very deep reference to previous work. Like I have 3 legs now.

[@lea88pu]

If you do choose to the trilogy of Jenny,Skreech and Violet,please don't reaserch it bcs it would ruin the story and the effect it has when you listen to it for the first time..Great analysis as always!

[@erikhorton6433]

FYI, Hi Ren is still the most recent thing he has written. The releases that have come out since then were written about a year ago with the foresight that he would be in treatment for awhile and would schedule them to release while he was completing that. My favorite part of his discography is just how different each track is and how versatile he is as an artist. I haven't heard a single track I haven't enjoyed but if you want to hear his other magnum opus so far it's definitely the full trilogy version of the Tale of Jenny and Screech

[@RichardWelter]

@@PatrickMattson Ren himself has said that this video was shot in February of 2022, so over a year ago

[@nrsvlda70]

If you pause near the beginning of the video and read the white board… you’ll see the 7 rules; but correct - Ren takes it to a new level. Great reaction; please consider reacting to Tale of Jenny, Screech and Violet.. and if you do… prepare to be blown away!

[@DefinitelyNotBender]

The story of Animal Farm has never been so catchy, nor as relevant as it was when it was conceptualized. I always say this but REN is a modern day Bard. Pure magic✨🤘🏼

[@inuchan74]

Yep, totally holds up! Unfortunately...

[@9madness9]

4 legs rule over 2 legs of animal farm but here ren is with 3legs with the stick maybe I like this idea

[@markbeckens]

Welcome back Doug. The rabbit hole has been waiting for you. Knowing how you like to break stuff down. I really think you would enjoy the trilogy Jenny, Screech and Violet's tale and Money game 1 & 2.

[@leoscone4036]

Note the words on the wall in the beginning. Straight from "Animal Farm" by Orwell. And it is very hard not make comparison of him with Alex from "Clockwork Orange". For that matter with the cane and the odd walk at the very end he seems to be channeling Willy Wonka as well. The "Dum Dah" part is even reminiscent of the Oompa Loompa song. He even slipped in the "Dogs Playing Poker", the first version painted in 1894. Ren is also boldly and loudly saying he thinks he's the s**t, and he isn't wrong. "I'm the flow CEO. I've got mountains of murderous rhymes." That he does. There's so much in this song, AND all those lyrics. In three minutes. To reiterate from comments here: it is time for you to do the full tale of Jenny and Screech. And Violet. And you also need to watch Ren x Chinchilla "Chalk Outlines" live. The Ren Phenomena is well worth experiencing. And think about it. Sure, he's got over a million views on his channel for this song. But there are hundreds of thousands, perhaps million+ more people who have now seen this song because of reactors like you. It's a phenomena because just about every first reactor here on KZbin are down this rabbit hole, being astounded, and having a new favorite artist. An independent artist. "Hi Ren" now has over 13 million views. Amazing. Blessings.

[@kaylaparker5725]

I just watched his live acoustic version of this and its even better. Ren is amazing and I look forward to watching his career blossom even more ❤

[@enragedbutterfly]

He posted a funny short about releasing the chord chart for this song. The entire thing is B minor but he says it like “here I switch into Bm”…”we progress into Bm at this point”. 🤣🤣 Love that dude. Also, please react to the Tales of Jenny and Screech (full). It will include a third tale. This is where Ren becomes a bard. Telling the tales and pulling you right into the story and it feels like you’re watching a movie. You will be blown away. Ren has also said this is was very much influenced by Animal Farm. He put some references to that all throughout this video.

[@knowsomething9384]

That "yum, yum, yum, yum" cracks me up every time. :D

[@ninagray4441]

You also must do Chalk Outlines, by Ren + Chinchilla. It's beautiful.

[@hollyryalsgrubb1273]

Cover the live version. Even better, is How To Be Me by this duo.

[@viracocha03]

You really need to go down the whole Ren rabbit hole if you have not. He has SO MANY phenomenal songs with amazing artistry and lyrics. A few good places to start, Chalk Outlines(ft. Chinchilla), Ocean(Ft. Eden Nash), Genesis, How To Be Me live (ft. Chinchilla), Humble(Ft. Eden Nash), Diazepam. That is not even near an exhaustive list, the dude is so damned talented. I have been listening to him for a few years now and im so happy to see him blow up like this. Also, his stuff with the band The Big Push is absolutely mind blowing too, that whole band is super talented. Edited to add, the stripped down acoustic version of Animal flow is mind blowing, it has a whole new vibe. And yes, it was one continuous take.

[@daemonnice]

I've heard Ren admit that in writing the song there wasn't really any consideration for Orwell's Animal farm, but, on shooting the video, they decided to insert all kinds of these Orwell easter eggs and there are several direct references in the video to Animal Farm. I also love your reactions over so many others as you do know music and talking about song structure, rhythm etc are a godsend to music hack such as I. And being from the north, I have to say, I love it when you say ya'all. Have you reacted to the tale of Jenny Screech? I loved this musical triptych for its storytelling, and overall musicality of it. I also find when I listen to it, I think of Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weil and that whole dirty Germanic troubadour thing of the early 1900s especially in certain parts of the song and the way Ren sings it with full natural vocal distortion(not electric). Good show

[@violetangel1183]

Forgot to mention specifically you doing the little paw dance, was the bright spot of my day 😂

[@violetangel1183]

I wish I could do a reaction video of me watching you reacting...I was laughing cheering clapping smiling...loved your reaction 👏 recently obsessed with ren, and now a fan of Doug. You earned a new subscriber ❤

[@samanthazwickel]

I can't believe I missed that you did this reaction. I found you because of Ren (and subscribed). Your reactions are always a treat, and this one didn't disappoint. I had a huge grin with you dancing along. One thing you might find interesting regarding your compound meter comments - in his interview with The Charismatic Voice he talked about how he views rap not as singing, but more as percussion. Cool that you pulled that out of the song. 🙂

[@mutleyeng]

He has said the Orwell tie in only came when they were figuring out the video - if you watch the video carefully, you will see lots of Animal Farm easter eggs

[@subkang]

You should check out the live version. Its awesome how he does it on guitar. He adds more than just B minor.

[@christopherwright9144]

I LOVE the fact that you love Ren. Great reaction video. I enjoy all your reactions and analysis.

[@jrbush1]

It’s not just animal farm. But look for other vignettes. The dogs playing poker. The white suit and cane from Clockwork Orange. And more.

[@loisbest5391]

Doug! Loved your breakdown of Animal Flow. PLEASE have a look at the acoustic version!

[@bbqueen1578]

Don't miss out on Ren's gem of Animal Farm with acoustic guitar. Blew me away too!

[@ClearTheRubble7]

Ren just released his live acoustic guitar version of this song, with some pretty amazing guitar playing that reminded me of King Crimson or Gentle Giant. I thought I'd heard every style that he could muster, but I was wrong!

[@redfox_outdoors]

@Doug Helvering, you sir were correct about it being in B minor the entire song, it never changes. there is something you caught and I saw in this video is the pendulum effect of the video swaying back and forth from side to side from the the very start all the way to the end. also easter egg, the dogs playing poker the famous painting re-imagined in this video all the way down to the red lamp overhead, also the pig butcher behind him swinging is a human head swinging in a cage. easter egg the washers one lit one dark one lit one dark. Also in the beginning of the song his cane is being used as a metronome. then at the end of the song the cow eating meat.

[@kevinwilson455]

04:01 NO ONE can not say "yum yum yum" at this point. Do it, I double-dare ya.

[@suevick637]

Read the stuff on the wall during the 1st verse. This explains the Animal Farm theory. Though, after watching his interview with Knox Hill, he said that it was an afterthought and the song was written just for fun and getting the rhymes in. This is brilliant, as are all of REN's songs ❣️ I am 65 yrs old and I can't stop listening to his music.

[@grimsbytownfan]

KZbin has pushed you to me twice and both times I’ve enjoyed your reaction, the way you get involved and are cheering him on. You’ve won a new subscriber

[@inuchan74]

I love how much I have learned from you! Not that I could identify a compound meter lol but I like to know these technical things they just facinate me. There is SOOOO much more that goes into music than I ever realized.

[@metalmark1214]

Thank God for 70's and 80's MUSIC.

[@staceyk5682]

I love your insight to Ren and his music. Please continue to check out his songs, his lyrics and musical ability are miles above other artists. Keep the reactions coming!

[@spaz_chicken]

What a rabbit hole Ren provides. Please check out his duets an work with The Big Push.

[@linmonash1244]

BEST Analysis! Yes. Ren is a Powerful Social Commentator. He presses the Pause, Step Back & Reflect button in creative, catchy and highly immersive ways.

[@woodywoodman2319]

In the beginning... the 7 rules from Animal Farm are on the wall! Nice touch!

[@johanbruinenberg4401]

Indeed short, but deep impact😮great music

[@LisaMagdalenaBardell]

Amazing breakdown. Thank you 🙏🏼 Excited for more of your Ren reactions 🔥

[@D3ADPO3TRY]

Brilliant. I’m really enjoying your analyses of these amazing pieces of art. Glad that finding Ren led me here, I’ll be checking some of your other reactions.

[@douglasg.9271]

He is amazing. I’m not a rap fan, generally. But his talent is evident to anyone who cares to listen.

[@jamesh2401]

Love your technical eye. Very insightful 👏

[@danielmeola3651]

I love the channel, i don 't usually make suggestions, just watching your choices is great, but i'd love to see you with another ren's masterpiece, the Jenny and screeh tale full version. Thanks for a wonderfull breakdown

[@JuliaBumstead]

this was so good! love that your brain is so instinctive with pitch and tempo. good thoughts at the end too thanks man!

[@silentwhisp4r670]

I enjoy learning from your reactions. Very dope stuff!

[@ricksurratt9034]

That is a good idea to read the lyrics first very few reactors do that. I think that’s a great idea. Kudos to you.

[@jonasmandersson]

No. When you’re reacting to a lyricist it takes away all the fun.

[@nthebushes]

It might be a good idea, or it might spoil the "fun," as in the Trilogy. It's a double-edged sword. Maybe watch it through initially fresh and cold, then watch through a second time while looking at the lyrics, if needed.

[@hiSPACEmango]

I agree with your take on this. Think you would really enjoy Ren Money Game parts 1 & 2 and Crucify your culture.

[@keithsowerby8179]

The seven commandments from Animal Farm are written up on the wall soon after the video starts. However, in his interview with Knox, Ren says that this was a late addition and that the composition didn’t have this as an element. Ren says that he does not have a single method for generating a song, and in the case of Animal Flow he was playing with a Tom, and there followed several what if I did this moments. The theme and lyrics came later

[@PeteFindsObscureStuff]

Great breakdown sir!!

[@debrashrider4062]

Your interpretation i believe is the best i have seen ... to date.

[@TobiiRheaStarr]

He does a live acoustic version that is brilliant on the back of a bus 🖤

[@stanh288]

you need to do a deep dive into ,not just ren ,but ren and the big push,love their cover of bongo bong

[@dowtish1]

Fantastic introspective reaction! Ren has successfully captured many minds and hearts over the years, but now is his time to truly shine. What a gift! and I am so here for it! Please continue exploring his art, it knows no bounds.

[@TRPLD]

Great reaction as always! Loved your breakdown. I watch Knox Hill for the point of view of an Hip Hop artist and yours for all things "musical" and "lyrical". Thank you! May I recommend the following songs by Ren: Sick Boi, Chalk Outlines ft. Chinchilla, and maybe something by the Big Push (his band)!

[@TRPLD]

Oh and the tale of Jenny and Screech of course. The whole 13 minute thing…

[@gazdoyle7857]

You should see his acoustic version of this 🔥

[@lorinelson7523]

Ren shows again and again that you don't have to have a big production and a big budget to make great videos. His videos are artistic, thoughtful in layers and detail. They are mesmerizing. You don't want to miss a second!

[@jimjones6106]

Great breakdown love your energy 😊

[@carahoglund5266]

Thanks for breaking down the musical undertones of the song! So hard to pick out sometimes with the focus on the rapping/rhythmic speaking part. Also nice analysis with the "lizard brain" and human fear.

[@xchakeix]

He has so much artistic, creative music and I love your breakdowns. His wordplay is unmatched.

[@mauraleib]

This is the most sophisticated reaction I’ve seen to Animal Flow - great job, thank you!

[@woodywoodman2319]

Friggen Brilliant!!! Based on George Orwells Animal Farm!!! WOW!!!!! BEYOND BRILLIANT!!!!

[@Qmocean]

I watched your reaction to Jenny n screech, and have animal flow in queue. You've seen his story telling and his rapping. Good time to check out his singing next. Chalk Outlines is a good place to start. Either way you go, he's got 4 different rabbit holes to dive into. Stories, raps, singing and The Big Push/busking. Enjoy them all.

[@reeniemartins6639]

Loved this reaction!

[@mercedeswarrenash5929]

I love his completely sarcastic post about Bm chords throughout as a tutorial into how to play the song on guitar!

[@mercedeswarrenash5929]

One of my ultimate collaborations would be Ren & Lin!!!

[@donnakurtz9293]

Glad you decided to do more Ren. He never fails to amaze. My first thought that was if all you heard was Hi Ren (majori d blowing). In that realm I would further suggest Chalk Outlines with Chinchilla, Sick Boi and How to be Me ... be sure and pick the live version. These three are not a trilogy but they all remained in the realm of the message that was set forth in Hi Ren. Lots of other stuff outside that room wonderful to find out about too .. that was my introduction and I found those helpful throughout my journey with Ren

[@ML_SE]

I agree, fear is behind a lot of evil happening in our world. More fear the bigger self-built walls around ourselves that narrowing down our spaces to cages and more and more people outside those become dangerous and we want to protect ourselves from these dangerous, different than us people. Fear and extreme conservatism goes hand in hand. Knowledge is the thing that can break is free but with the way knowledge is limited to many of us, because of reasons only benefiting a small group this vicious spiral will continue. 🤓🇸🇪

[@noorieiversen]

Yes, it's the expected cultural backlash that happens when society becomes more diverse and culturally integrated. Ultimately, there will be groups of people who feel fearful for what they don't understand. We must meet them empathetically and try and build bridges, open-mindedness grows through education, the more we learn, the more we want to understand. Unfortunately, education has been hijacked by fear many places, and censorship is prevalent.

[@gypsysouldier]

I like your take on this!!!!!

[@elijahriner4178]

Got a subscribe from me. This was so fun you have a great personality and ear for music.👌🔥

[@smack_pop7]

Yeah the tales in full are amazing. Artistically you will appreciate those better ❤️❤️

[@WeChallenge]

Pay close attention, when you hear Ren say pull out the pin you hear that hand grenade pin land on the floor, awesome little details.

[@gavinwilson2071]

I hope you keep going with the Ren reactions, your insight is really interesting. Easy sub. Ren's stuff does not conform to but takes inspiration from all genres, sometimes all at once.

[@carahoglund5266]

Make sure to check out his new acoustic version of Animal Flow--it would make great fodder for analysis!

[@elenaorujev3494]

Ren is such a wordsmith! Love his creativity and eloquence!❤

[@LeighCatLibra]

You’re such a nerd! I love it! ❤

[@woodywoodman2319]

Bro... Ren just released an Acoustic version of this you may wanna watch at least!

[@anniedh600]

You should do a reaction to Ren and Sam Tompkins singing Blind Eyed (**choose the one marked M.C Sessions**). Ren wrote that. As a double dose of goodness, on the same reaction video, follow that with a reaction to ** Ren and Sam: Blind Eyed ft. Angry Car Park Attendant **. Pure spontaneous gold! I’ll throw in my 2 cents that on the Car Park one, I suspect they were scouting out a place with good acoustics. I don’t think it was originally meant to be an official video. But it became famous enough that Ren sells merch featuring Angry Car Park Attendant, lol.

[@barboelter]

Love your reaction. You have to go and check out his acoustic of this song he does on a moving bus.

[@peterveste6976]

thank you for reacting to my favourite artist ever their are so many masterpiece Ren has made ❤❤❤

[@ScottJones12stringscott]

Doug you know a bit about this. I hope someone decides to do.a show or movie based on rens work. I believe it would be incredible

[@ClearTheRubble7]

It's funny you mentioned B minor at the beginning, because Ren release a short video showing the chord progression for the song, and it was only B minor written on top of every line of the lyrics, lol. He even started laughing about it at one point. 😂

[@Proud.American58]

Doug, Doug, Doug, I love your reactions and analysis but trust me as a soon to be 65 year old dude, you haven’t even gotten to first base when it comes to the breadth of Ren’s talent and catalog of his work. Trust me when I say that Ren is Genreless (probably not a word, but you get the drift). Seriously do yourself a favor and do one of these three Ren songs for your next reaction - “Chalk Outlines”(Live) with Chinchilla or “How to be Me”(Live) with Chinchilla or “The Tale of Jenny & Screech”(Full). The last one is actually comprised of three separate videos that need to be played in order. Total time for the trilogy is a little over 13 minutes. After you get through these, then I (other Ren fans) can suggest about 20 more amazing songs that will show you his tremendous diversity that will make you scratch your head in wonder how this kid was virtually unknown prior to a few months ago. If you do one one high quality Ren song a week, you won’t be done until some time in 2024. #ren #renmakesmusic

[@PoliticallyPink]

Can you please react to more Ren? He's THAT GOOD, and so diverse that I don't think I'll be bored of his music if I listened straight until the day I die.

[@spirialitytalks8324]

Yes there's a definite reference to animal farm if you read the writing on the wall!

[@belindamelville2270]

Ren❤❤❤❤

[@user-dy7bv4he2d]

The reference is the writing on the living room wall in blood "two legs bad" "four legs good"

[@jose567321]

juts play it over and over we love it

[@tamarakindle73]

Nice reaction. Love Ren.

[@alex1014]

animal farm was a big inspiration. this video was shot as one take

[@tribute1965]

In an interveiw with Knox Hill Ren said that the idea to use Animal Farm imagery came when creating the video. It wasn't a focus when he wrote the song.

[@davespicer3647]

It may be that the only way to limit fears is to heal them... not "cure" or "re-educate" them, but truly heal the underlying pain.

[@tubaviewa2624]

Also have a look at 'The Hunger', 'Losing It'... and the acoustic Version also... ;)

[@Goddzi]

Love Ren ❤ he is an amazingly creative and talented guy. If you want to hear a more fun side of his personality, check out his song “1990s”. It’s hilarious and awesome. Great video, Doug! 👍🏻😁

[@protarget1]

Check out Knox Hill's interview with Ren, Ren said it's nothing to do with Animal farm. Ren said he recorded, his last album with this track over a year ago. It all started with Ren messing about on a tom drum. he like the tribal sound, and got his mate recorded it. Just as you said, Ren said the song is about how we are are all animals. He also said he was just having fun flexing with the lyrics, It was only till they started making the Vid did, did he start inserting, things like the 7 Commandments from animal farm, The dogs playing cards, he tried to recreate the famous picture of the same .Ren explains in full detain from about 1min into Knox Hill's brill interview. 😊

[@markbeckens]

Obtw, the video has Easter eggs from Orwell's Animal farm.

[@markbeckens]

The laws of the animals is on the wall at the beginning. 2 legs bad, 4 legs good. 😂

[@rebeccarose7405]

You really must do Jenny and Screech (full). But please-DO NOT read the lyrics first, just take the journey! Great reaction!

[@markbeckens]

@@rebeccarose7405 yes, spoiler alert. You cannot read the lyrics ahead of time!

[@jose567321]

humble and fire by ren

[@paulread4422]

Really interesting analysis, breakdown...check out the interviews he's recently done...all becomes alot clearer.. You've seemed to of missed 'illness of our time' by ren.. Another cracker...Love rens work..spot on with everything he does..

[@davidarmour7766]

In an interview, he said that he has been sitting on these songs for a year. Hi Ren was written sometime later than this one.

[@Lightmane]

Hey Doug, Ren just released a live acoustic version of Animal Flow, where it's just him and his guitar, sitting in the back of a bus that's moving. It's incredible.

[@TheSyncos]

People will say you need to react to the Tale of Jenny and Screech. They're probably right. But I think Money Game Part 1 & 2 are a better call. Though for some beautiful singing, either "Chalk Outlines" or "How to be Me" Ren X Chinchilla are also a good choice.

[@TheSyncos]

After seeing your comments about Ren holding up a mirror to society, I think you *really* need to see Money Game 1&2 Doug.

[@TheIAmThat]

There is so much surprising to discover from Ren. From his singing, pure rap, Rock, emotional singing, busking, political analysis, Reggae, covers, retakes … For the next I would love to see Chalk Outlines live!, Fire, Money Game Pt 2, Bongo Bong. And I do hope Doug gets to see Chinchillas Fingers Live (after he is introduced to her through Ren in Chalk Outlines). I am curious how Doug feels about the intricate voice details coming into the live version.

[@donnakurtz9293]

Clockwirk Orange imagery too.

[@strangernightfire9618]

the Animal Farm reference is totally explicit, written right there on the wall of the living room. and right in front of that wall is the pig holding captive the only human other than ren in the whole video.

[@Sense008]

I totally got the Animal Farm vibes and cinematographically the Clockwork Orange Stanley Kubrick vibe.There is one other book/movie that this song and video reminds me off is Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now, especially the crazy colonel. The charcter he is playing reminds me of that insane tyrant deep in the jungle