On July 3, Rotterdam’s own Nouri Frenken unveiled Ohnoah with the debut single ‘Student Loans‘, marking the dawn of a bold new era. After collecting gold records and climbing charts alongside global icons like Steve Aoki, Miss Montreal and Wulf, Frenken steps into the spotlight as the driving force of alternative pop, channeling a legacy of over 100 releases and a trophy case of accolades.
’Student Loans‘ brings the crushing reality of financial stress and social pressure into sharp focus, making these burdens almost tangible within its alternative sound. The song begins with a bare, tense arrangement that echoes rising anxiety, then surges into a vibrant crescendo driven by groovy guitars and crisp drums, which act as an authentic soundscape of student life. You could figuratively slot this track into the OST of a Netflix show featuring a cast in their 20’s covering the exact issues brought up in this song as the show’s core themes. For Ohnoah, songwriting became a lifeline after escaping an abusive home at 17, a way to navigate the complexities of growing up non-binary and queer in a world shaped by North African and Italian traditions. Through melody, Ohnoah found both sanctuary and a sense of self.
A sign of a good artist is when they are able to write music about what they know and deliver it with unwavering conviction and that is exactly what Ohnoah delivers with ‘Student Loans’.
Ohnoah had this to say: “For a decade, I gave my best lyrics and productions to others just so I wouldn’t have to face my own reality. ‘Student Loans‘ is the realization that you start at a disadvantage before you even get to shape your own life. We are expected to perform and forge big plans for the future while our foundation is shaking. I just saw free money and a way out of the hell of my household, not knowing what 60k in debt means. This song doesn’t sugarcoat the raw reality, but it offers a shelter for everyone who feels invisible.“
Stream ‘Student Loans‘:
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