Light Bird -- See Her
Light Bird's debut album See Her embraces the messiness of growth. More importantly, she gives us permission to revel in gender euphoria in spite of – or because of – all the forces that fighting against it.
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Light Bird did not have it easy before releasing her debut album See Her. Five weeks before her wedding, Light Bird (Danni Hoshino) came out as trans to her intended. Things fell apart from there, but that moment led to transitions of many different kinds. See Her finds Hoshino reflecting on how far she's coming in the last four years – and the moments when she felt impossibly stuck.
The album opens with "Williamsburg Bridge," an updated lullaby for 20-something hot messes who move into neighborhoods creeping ever closer to Canarsie along the L train. In this moment of absolute breakdown, though, Hoshino introduces us to her wry sense of humor and inherent sweetness. She treats herself and the people around her with tenderness and compassion – something she all-too-often withholds from herself, as she notes in her confessional "Save Myself."
With the title track, Light Bird draws a direct line between her trans identity and country music bonafides, recounting her fascination with Emmylou Harris and lifelong search for gender euphoria. The song is a pedal steel-driven anthem of claiming oneself and offers a roadmap for anyone questioning if it's worth it to come out. But the flip side of that, of course, are the rupture that can come with living life for yourself. "Whales" is heart-wrenching; asking us to consider what it means to reckon with the consequences of your actions – even when everyone involved is better off for it.
Light Bird shines brightest on message-driven songs. "Land of the Free" recounts her family's chapter in the history of American's internment of Japanese immigrants in World War II. Light Bird both recounts the history and illustrates the parallels today, drawing upon her family's legacy of resilience and defiance, and bringing it to the battle for trans rights today.
Ultimately, See Her embraces the messiness of growth – the necessary byproducts of things ventured and game. More importantly, Light Bird gives us permission to revel in gender euphoria in spite of – or because of – all the forces that fighting against it.
Light Bird – Website, Bandcamp, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Music
