Hania Rani is undoubtedly the brightest star of Polish modern classical music today. Yet, this success story began in 2018 when Rani sent two demos to Manchester-based Gondwana Records without expecting any reply. The record label’s enthusiastic response first introduced Rani via Esja—a solo piano album she initially regarded as a mere finger exercise—and subsequently propelled her to arenas with Ghosts, where she incorporated vintage electronics and pop tones.
Sentimental Value stands as Rani’s most mature and classical work. Composed for a film by Joachim Trier, this album sees the artist combine her famous minimalist piano touches with an orchestral depth. The fact that she stayed at the filming location for days to capture field recordings before starting production is the greatest testament to Rani’s mastery of capturing the very soul of a space in her music.
