Anana Kaye’s “There Is A War” Speaks to the Moment

February 12, 2026

Anana Kaye’s “There Is A War” Speaks to the Moment

Anana Kaye starts 2026 off with her take on Leonard Cohen’s “There Is A War,” which is set to release on February 5 via Meridian (ECR Music Group). Instead of trying to emulate the original, Kaye’s take is more akin to a dialogue between eras, reworking the song with a modern heartbeat. The song is a follow-up to “Cordelia,” which brought renewed global interest to the artist and received significant Apple Music promotion, including a multi-week spot on the platform’s New In Alternative playlist. Kaye is known for her ability to find a balance between emotional depth and intimacy, and she’s brought that to the table on “There Is A War,” which was created with longtime collaborator and producer Irakli Gabriel. The song is a preview of a forthcoming record that Kaye is working on, one that’s centered on tension and contrast, much like the world we’re living in today.

Kaye treated Cohen’s song with obvious respect but room for reinterpretation. Rather than trying to emulate a pre-existing version, Kaye concentrated on making a product that could be its own thing. The track began humbly with a piano accompaniment, but it slowly built into a well-tightened rhythm with producer Charlie Chamberlain. Chris Benelli’s live percussion propels the track, and David Conrad’s upright bass adds a touch of jazz to contrast with the song’s industrial sound. Guitar riffs by Irakli Gabriel have a cutting quality to enhance the emotional impact without taking the spotlight away from the lyrics. The final product is a track that captures the urgency of Cohen’s original but expresses it through Kaye’s unique sound.

Kaye’s creative voice is also deeply influenced by her Georgian heritage. Having grown up in an environment rich in vocal tradition and storytelling in music has clearly made an impact on her approach to harmonies and arrangement. This heritage is also reflected in the visual style of the single artwork, which features traditional elements of Georgian culture in the garment and mask. When Kaye made the move to Nashville, she began to combine her heritage with Americana, folk, and alternative rock to form her distinctive sound, which brings together different musical genres. Having worked with Americana singer-songwriter David Olney, and being part of The Waterboys’ Life, Death and Dennis Hopper album, as well as working with Bruce Springsteen, Fiona Apple, Steve Earle, and Lucinda Williams, has certainly helped to establish her as a vibrant and eclectic artist.

Her upcoming album, "Are You There?", to be released on March 20, is a continuation of the ideas presented through this single. The album was made at a time when there was a sense of geopolitical tension and instability, from the Ukraine conflict to more local concerns. The songs on the record discuss individual experiences within a global framework. Kaye and Gabriel worked with international collaborators on the record, which is a coming together of different cultures and ideas to discuss vulnerability, resilience, and connection. The record doesn’t offer answers; instead, it creates room for questioning. In a way, "There Is A War" is a foretaste of what is to come on the record, a bold and emotive song that is attuned to the rhythm of the times.