A melodically warming array of atmospheric shoegaze and twangy folk compel across In Presence, the newly released EP from Lee Trent. The songwriting details a personal journey, traversing from experiences of rejection to self-realization and new love. The relatable thematic aims are complemented by a consistently enthralling sound, self-produced by Trent, that ranges from the jangly folk haze of “Abrupt” to the opening track’s shoegaze flourishes.
The EP opens with the enveloping “The Dashboard Incident,” which caught our ears this past November for its cohesive melding of shoegaze-y lushness and folk-ready acoustics. Aspirations to “be good to myself,” amidst a life that requires being pieced-together like a puzzle conveys a sense of self-searching, then moving into the reflective “Warm Winter Collision.” Twinkling piano, twangy guitars, and heartfelt bursts of strings accompany a stirring vocal — ruminating on feelings of rejection, though also how the dissolution of a relationship can be a blessing in disguise.
Aptly, recollections of new love come following this rejection. “Moonbeam” weaves tender guitars and a psych-friendly organ radiance into an outpouring of adoration: “orbiting forever, keeping us together.” A reference to stargazing and a glowing orbit combine with the calming instrumentation for a spacey atmospheric allure. “You give your love, when the stars were still up above,” Lee sings on the subsequent “Abrupt,” furthering this star-set introspection alongside a nostalgic acoustic-heavy haze; shades of Smashing Pumpkins’ “Obscured” are enjoyably apparent in the overall tone and vibe.
Two delicate instrumentals close the EP in beautiful form. “Hardd Abrill” combines understated acoustics and brass adornments, for a chillingly memorable soundscape, while “Subtle Waves” resembles a setting sun in its serenely twangy descent into spaciousness. In Presence is a thoroughly captivating showcase in quality songwriting from Lee Trent.
