Originally Published on March 13th, 2026

~ About the Artist ~

Truly one of the most compelling artists I’ve ever heard, New York-based indie artist, Han, has surprised us all with the release of their latest album, … the morning after. By day, Han is a recording engineer. In 2024, I had the absolute privilege of reviewing their album, Tales of a Failed Altruist, which led to an opportunity to meet and discuss that album and their tour schedule to promote the music from that project.

It was this interview that I really learned about the depth of their music. As a teen, Han struggled with their identity, their mental health, and where they belonged amongst their peers, their family, and their community. So much, that their experiences eventually led to an incident that would see them hospitalized to treat their mental health.

It was while rehabilitating and reflecting on their stay at this facility and the circumstances that led to their hospitalization that inspired the lyrical content of their album, Tales of a Failed Altruist.

34. Tales of a Failed Altruist by Han

Aside from the deep and complex emotional content of the lyrics, Tales of a Failed Altruist was a musically dynamic work. Touching on several genres spanning from pop, alt pop, and progressing rock, there were also elements of indie/alt folk, rap, and even hyper-pop.

Fast forward to the end of 2025, I found out Han was releasing an EP, am i still enough? I got in touch with them and requested a second interview.

This was the first time I truly understood the dynamics of this musician; that there was a depth I couldn’t possibly comprehend. Listening to Tales of a Failed Altruist, that album is big, anthemic, multi-faceted, and it covers a range of moments, a range of emotions, and is impressively forthcoming – there is really not much at all Han is ashamed to discuss regarding the content of this album. With am i still enough? the dynamic shifts to silence. It is a quieter work, it is stripped, and it is more focused. Where Tales experimented on a variety of genres, am i still enough? focused on the quieter side of music. Generally, this is an alt-folk EP.

Han identifies as a non-binary member of the LGBTQIA community. They touch on their self-discovery in Tales but am i still enough? alludes to incidents revolving around how they are perceived with their identity and ways that they have been taken advantage of.

DISCLAIMER: Forward reading contains analysis of music and lyrics that allude to acts of sexual violence, sexual assault, and harassment. As this may be triggering to some, please listen and read with careful consideration.

~ About the Album ~

While interviewing Han, they alluded to an album that was completed and shelved. The EP, am i still enough? alludes to an act of sexual violence that they had been a victim of and Han explained that the album was a deeper reflection of that incident. Understandably, they were hesitant about whether or not to release the music. They struggled with putting the story out into the world and the trauma that could come with reliving the moment through the music, though they were proud of the results and considered it some of their best work to date.

After the interview, Han sent me a physical copy of the album. I’ve been listening to it for about a month and honestly, I haven’t fully digested how deep this album is.

Friday, March 13th, … the morning after released on on all streaming platforms. At 35 minutes, this 8-song LP features music by Han with features from Amber Balleras, Thai Thai, Cassidy Tara, Hannah Byers, Ieuqaris, emmalime, and FROGLADY. It can be best described as alternative rock. It features the previously released single, (don’t) touch my body.

So, I had no idea Han was going to release this album. In my recent interview, they still seemed very much on the fence about whether or not they would. I know I wrote a review of his recently released EP just a couple of months ago, while sharing our conversation, but the truth is this album is too good not to write about. Where Tales of a Failed Altruist succeeds in diversity, … the morning after finds its success in its focus. It is less experimental. It doesn’t showcase a variety of genres. Here, Han has one vision and one objective: to tell their story.

To this I say, Han has delivered.

There isn’t a song on this album I don’t love. It is heartbreaking. It is breathtaking. It is great without trying to be. I particularly love the transition from (fly) paper love into know me (no more). The two songs pair in a way that they sound like Han’s own version of Layla by Eric Clapton (or Derek & The Dominos… or Cream… or whatever other bands Clapton performed the song with). There are moments where the sound has a very pop blend to the alt rock foundation. The song (never) coming back (featuring Amber Balleras) has such a relevant sound to today’s best trending music. It reminds me of the work that we are hearing from the sensational band, Djo.

~ Final Thoughts ~

This is one of the best albums I’ve heard in a very long time. It’s quick, focused, and musically incredible. There’s just one problem: it exists because something absolutely terrible happened. Han didn’t directly say to me that they were sexually assaulted. I didn’t ask, I wouldn’t, and I won’t. I’m not a therapist, and it’s not my business to pry into this type of personal information. I am not that kind of journalist (or blogger if you would prefer). In so many words, Han did allude to something of this nature occurring. In listening to the album, it is a safe assumption to make.

Often, artists find ways of unpacking their trauma through their varying forms of art. It is in these deep moments, that many people are moved by the work. Some find it moving because of its extraordinary message and the bravery it takes to share it. Others find it moving because it’s relatable because they’ve experienced similar traumas themselves. The real irony is that these beautiful, incredible forms of art are born from such tragedy.

I don’t celebrate the tragedy. I don’t think any respectable person would. I celebrate the art. The courage it had to take for Han to tell their story. The depths in which they were willing to go to tell it. I celebrate the brilliant mind and the brilliant spirit of such an inspiring artist to have survived one of the ugliest things a person can experience and turned it into the most beautiful work of art. I can’t say that Han has “risen from the ashes” of this tragedy. I’m not going to say they will “rise above,” because I don’t know if they have and I wouldn’t blame them if they hadn’t. Why? That’s a simple answer. It’s because:

RAPE IS THEFT OF EVERYTHING UP TO AND (SOMETIMES) INCLUDING THEIR LIVES

I’m done responding to these things with cliches. It undermines the experience felt by the victims. It’s a scapegoat for the assailants. It pushes the conversation away to the next subject. It is an injustice. Rape should make us feel uncomfortable to talk about. That doesn’t mean we are supposed to shy away from the conversation. If we are somehow able to manage to put ourselves in the shoes of the victims, however, maybe it wouldn’t happen so much.

Han has made their listeners very uncomfortable. It is beautiful.

Go press play.