Raveena - Stronger
It’s not just murky water we tread in realizing our significant other has shaped our behavior in a way that makes us unrecognizable--it’s also incredibly sneaky. Often times, we don’t even realize it’s happening until we’re given the space and time to take a step back and examine everything that went down. “Stronger” by Raveena is a self-forgiving, retrospective look at this universal phenomenon. Watching the music video directed by Danica Kleinknecht felt like dancing over the parts of me I didn’t even know where still healing. Using setting and choreography, Danica and Raveena show us the strength in vulnerability that is too-often shamed or manipulated out of women.
Raveena Aurora is making her own lane.
“Stronger” is ultimately about healing and growing, but it does not shy away from the harsh truth of the pain that has occurred. This in the initial scene where Raveena is surrounded by men in a dormant greenhouse. When the first “stronger,” hits and the men man-handle Raveena, the scene transported me to an all too familiar feeling of helplessness. But as she sings, “a call from heaven,” we cut to Raveena basking in the sun of a luscious field. There is such power in this transition because it gives hope to the viewer that the hard times are all for a greater purpose--to grow. You will get out better and stronger on the other side.
Throughout the entire video, Raveena moves in a “classically” feminine way, but it never once feels weak. Each movement is soft yet firm and compelling, depicting the journey to acceptance of a great pain that has now resulted in incredible growth. As we first enter the warehouse (scene), choreography and setting meet to give us a breath of fresh air as the doors open behind a powerful, calm, and glowing Raveena, staring at the camera, head-on, the way one would have to in order to face such a terror as losing oneself to another.
Raveena dropped healing hymns on her debut album, Lucid, in May.
“Take care of me,” floats through the air along with Raveena herself on a swing in the warehouse, but nothing in the scene feels frail. She is soon flanked by men and women dancers whose stark movements juxtapose her breeziness. The scene breathes new meaning to the words and I feel her demanding respect for her vulnerability. She is hurt and she is raw, but she is not at all weak. In fact, I think it’s often harder to sit in your pain and wear it on your sleeve. Showing up a little hurt with battle scars is much harder than masking your emotions.
All I can say is thank you, Raveena Aurora and Danica Kleinknecht, for giving us an accurate depiction of what it feels like to rediscover and forgive yourself for being so vulnerable that your love gets you a little lost. I had to watch this video at least 10 times to find any good words about it and I’m not exaggerating when I say I got chills and felt this shit in my toes every single time I watched. Thank you for reminding me and everyone that we are stronger.