REVIEW: Lauren Presley Strips It All Back for the Return of “People Leave”
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY KATIE SLATER ☆
ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF ITS RELEASE—rising alt-pop star Lauren Presley returns with an acoustic version of her most popular single, “People Leave”. An emotionally dense song, it reflects on childhood abandonment and its lasting effect on future relationships.
A wonderfully produced single in its original format, the stripping back to vocals and piano alone is a bold move. Leaving the inner workings of her songwriting and lyricism bare, Presley gives her dedicated fan-base the chance to take a peek at her craftsmanship.
The singer-songwriter’s vocal strength is instantly evident—she shows off her range and timbre, often described as a vocal powerhouse.
With the lyrics pushed to the forefront, her construction of their cleverness is evident. Playing with rhythm, rhyme and flow, she controls more than just the words as she delivers her emotive self-analysis. Creating the sense of an internal battle, the stark contrast between the length and flow of the lines is striking.
Opening with a succession of three quick phrases linked by half rhymes—the effect is an unsettling rhythm. Pulling towards stability, Presley soon transfers the blunt flow into longer couplets. As the emotions of her lyricism intensify, the phrasing becomes blurred, the pace increasing as it runs into her expansive chorus.
Dropping all defences, the chorus dives into analysis of the singer’s avoidant attachment. She recognises her experiences of childhood abandonment as a shadow over her current relationship. Despairing at her tendency to believe that letting herself love is effectively signing the dotted line of a heartbreak contract, she longs for her partner’s reassurance to cut through her spiraling thoughts.
Where thumping drums and distorted guitars usually take the lead, the chorus is propelled by sustained piano chords. Given the chance to shine, Presley’s chord progression helps paint her story.
Moving between the major and minor versions of the five chord, the pulling between the light and dark sounds acts as a metaphor for her thoughts—the appreciation of the love she is receiving, and the insecurity that comes with it. Often arriving at the home chord of E minor on the word “leave,”, there’s a comforting familiarity in the pain, the acceptance acting like a shield.
This acoustic version of Presley’s most loved song is a wonderful addition to her growing catalogue of emotionally charged music. It really gives fans the opportunity to really appreciate what’s uniquely hers: a standout voice and some very clever songwriting. Through the openness of her lyricism, Presley is proving to be an artist who is willing to give everything, transforming her own trauma into something so immeasurably touching.
