Light Bird – “See Her”

See Her by Light Bird is an incredibly moving record that touches on change and humanity. Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Danni Hoshino crafted these eleven tracks after coming out as a trans woman, a massive shift that happened just weeks before her wedding. Her old life unraveled, but she wove together a beautiful new reality from those pieces.

Produced by Don Mitchell, the full band tracks were recorded live in the studio, which gives the folk-tinged music a wonderful, natural pacing. The track Williamsburg Bridge captures the bittersweet nature of crying on the J train while processing massive life shifts. Another highlight is Alright, a folk-country duet with Ri Lotz that looks back at the end of an engagement with grace and acceptance.

The emotional core is the title track, See Her, which begins with an audio note Hoshino recorded for her future self. It explores how she looked at herself at ages seventeen, twenty-three, and thirty-three, offering a personal look at self-love. You can also hear her sense of humor on Big Time Texter, a track about navigating the chaotic Brooklyn queer dating scene.

I believe this record offers a comforting space for anyone going through major life changes. It is a wonderful collection of acoustic storytelling that feels honest and grounded. You should check out the artist’s previous releases to hear how her journey evolved. Make sure to follow Light Bird to stay updated about new releases in the rest of this year.