Welcome back to Origins, our recurring series that gives artists a space to break down everything that went into their latest release. Today, the Australian singer-songwriter hannah bahng talks through the rich symbolism in her new single, “POMEGRANATE.”
At just 20 years old, singer-songwriter hannah bahng is crafting her own destiny. After founding a self-owned label, she released her debut EP, The Abysmal, which has quickly racked up over 20 million streams on Spotify alone. Humor is the wind in hannah’s sails; there’s something deeply refreshing about the way she communicates, not just through her music, but through her unguarded social media presence, too.
“All in all, I’ve just like wanted to put this EP out for so long,” she shares. “I’ve been sitting on it for a year and a half just to get to where I felt ready to put it out into the world, and I do think it shows a very vulnerable side of me.”
hannah kicked off the rollout with The Abysmal with “perfect blues” before sharing the project in full. Now, she’s breaking down the details behind “POMEGRANATE,” a moody track inspired by elements of Greek mythology.
Watch the new music video for “POMEGRANATE” below, and read on for hannah’s Origins breakdown.
Hades and Persephone:
Photo by Priyanka Singh via Unsplash
One of the most important things about “POMEGRANATE” is the Greek mythological reference to Hades and Persephone. The basic synopsis, obviously, is that Hades fell in love at first sight, so he brought Persephone to the underworld, where she ate pomegranate seeds — but I think she ate them on purpose, because she wanted to stay with Hades. Pomegranates are associated with so much classical symbolism.
In all the stories I’ve read of Hades and Persephone, I’ve always related more towards Hades, in the sense in the sense that I tend to be obsessive when I like someone or when I’m passionately into someone — or passionate about anything in my life.
I feel like we always hear the story from Persephone’s perspective, but like I’ve always related more to Hades’ perspective, so I was like, “For me to write this song, it makes more sense to write it in the way that I relate to it.”
Wine Red:
Photo by Jill Burrow via Pexels
When I think of this song, it’s definitely that wine red color. That’s the only color I associate with the song.
Chase Atlantic:
Chase Atlantic, photo by Jordan Kelsey Knight
Musically, I was in a very Chase Atlantic phase when I wrote this. I was very inspired by the alt-R&B flavor. You can hear it a lot through the electric guitar and heavy bass — I think guitar solos are so cool, and this one adds such depth. I think the guitar can speak things that words can’t sometimes.
Obsession:
Photo by Ben Blennerhassett via Pexels
I feel like the root of obsession, passion aside, is this idea of fear and insecurity. When you’re into someone, you’re scared that they’re going to leave you, and because you’re scared they’re going to leave you, you obsess over them more. It’s toxic and unhealthy and you know it’s like slowly destroying your relationship, but it’s that feeling of doing anything for love.
Singing in the Car:
Photo by Element5 Digital via Pexels
There’s a very specific mood attached to the song, but I do think it’s a very good car song. I like screaming it in the car.