Even though Hank’s new single, an acoustic version of “Guilt Trip”, is played on piano, it reminded me instantly of Bruce Cockburn’s haunting, sinuous guitar melodies. And whadya know… Hank started out as a guitarist.
NYC artist Sarah L’Abriola was initially a jazz prodigy who played an evening of Django Reinhardt songs at Carnegie Hall at the tender age of 18. Now the artist has morphed into Hank – and they’ve co-written with notables like Maya Hawke, Samia and Del Water Gap.
The single is one of the highlights of Hank’s new and expanded Call Me Hank (Deluxe) EP. The artist notes: “These five songs describe coming to terms with my child-like tendencies prompted by the feelings of an ending relationship as well as my acceptance of the ultimate, universal truth that some things are not meant to be. ‘Call Me Hank’ was written by asking myself to explore my ability to step outside my identity in order to process jealousy, anger, pain, and sadness – and the experiences that come with those emotions.”
Hank, like co-writer S. Holden Jaffe of Del Water Gap, feels like an artist who is going to have real staying power. Bruce Cockburn just released his 37th album, and I predict that Hank will eventually surpass that mark.
Listen to “Guilt Trip (Acoustic Version)” below, or find the full Call Me Hank (Deluxe) on streaming services.
