Many of the songs on the album were culled from her father's personal tape collection by Atlas's music director, Harvey Brough.[3] The lyrics to "La Vida Callada", a duet with Spanish singer Clara Sanabras, are based on a poem composed by the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.[4] "Black is the Colour" is a traditional Scottish folk song.[1] Atlas' version is loosely based on Nina Simone's cover version and features a Middle Eastern musical arrangement.[3] The song "He Hesitated" refers to the Iraq War; Atlas has openly criticized the foreign policy decisions of former United States President George W. Bush and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.[3] The track "El Nowm" was inspired by Lebanese composer Zad Moultaka's album Anashid.[5]
Ana Hina received positive reviews from music critics. In a review for The Guardian, Robin Denselow called the album a "mature, varied and entertaining set".[1]The Times reviewer David Hutcheon described Ana Hina as "rather wonderful" and named "La Vida Callada" as its best song.[4] Youssef Rakha of The National wrote that the album "is a powerful statement about being in the world today, a musical monument to globalisation" and further commented that its "effect is both refreshing and disorienting".[9]
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