For many, the search for belonging is a lifelong one, and it may take thousands of minutes, miles and moments to find home. In his 2023 Album Amén: የዘላን ህልም (The Nomad’s Dream) Berhana chronicles his journey home to Ethiopia, and every emotional discovery he makes along the way.
Amaine Berhane, known as Berhana, is an American singer-songwriter who grew up in Atlanta. Berhana grew up in an Ethiopian family, and felt connected to his culture although until 2019 he had never been to Ethiopia. Berhana grew up around music and was always interested, using it as an outlet for his feelings. While attending film school in New York, Berhana continued making music, releasing his self-titled EP in 2016, with the song “Grey Luh” getting featured on the show Atlanta. Berhana has grown larger and larger following the release of his first album HAN in 2019. Berhana Released Amén on October 20th of 2023, and the album chronicles his homecoming to Ethiopia and his journey of self exploration.
The Album opens with “Amén,” a track that sets the tone and overall concept of the album. We hear a young Amaine listening to music in his room, while his mother knocks on his door and tries to get his attention. However she is ignored while both him and the listener prepare to go on the journey through the album. “Gone (Abebe Bikila)” is the first track, and first single from the album. The song references Abebe Bikila who was the first Ethiopian athlete to win gold at the olympics; a marathon runner who famously ran without shoes.
Berhana Laments that he too has lost his shoes, and that he hopes to win back the love of a woman he lost, against his friends suggestions not to. We then move into “Like a Habit” — the second single off the album — where Berhana continues to wonder about the nature of his relationships.
When the music video premiered on YouTube, I had the chance to ask Berhana what inspired his work on this album, and what themes he wanted to explore. He responded that his “Inspiration was the past 3 years,” and that he hoped to explore “Individuality and Acceptance.” The themes are clear throughout the album, as you hear his doubt come through on the first two tracks as well as “Tanuki,” “Someday,” and “Don’t Go.” The theme of doubt also mixes with acceptance throughout, as you hear him accept his circumstances in songs like “Break Bread,” “WOW!” “Honeycomb” and “Going Home.”
The album, coming in at a brief 26 minutes, has an accompanying short film titled “The Nomad’s Dream.” The 15 minute film puts visuals to six songs off the album and tells the story of Amén. Berhana wanted to create the short film to give people another way to interact with the message on the album, in hopes that it would help it stick better with his audience.
Coinciding with the new album’s release, Berhana has also embarked on a tour. While the tour is limited to 9 dates, he will be visiting Chicago in April, for a show you will not want to miss.
Amén: የዘላን ህልም (The Nomad’s Dream) is a beautiful journey about returning home and accepting oneself. Released in 2023 by Berhana, the album manages to explore multiple themes and moves through many beautiful sounds, even if confined to a brief albeit jam-packed 26 minutes.
