A touching debut
Le Ren’s debut album Leftovers is perfect autumnal soft folk rock. In its warmth and its sincerity, it shows a testament to the undying nature of love, even in its different manifestations over time. From tracing the relationship she shares with her mother to failed romantic partners to her friendships, Le Ren creates a kaleidoscope of emotions, all fitting beautifully in a representation of the need for connection.
In a nostalgic serenade, Le Ren serenades her mother in the track “Dyan.” Simultaneously saccharine and genuine, the tribute seems as if she feels saddened by the way her childhood experiences with her mother now only exist in the past. However, the devotion from a daughter is still there with such touching lyrics as “If I could look into the center of the sun, I think I’ll see her there.” The folk-rock vocals also do wonders in portraying this subdued, personal performance into the record.
“I Already Love You” follows a similar framework around the love she feels towards her mother. In a softly sung lullaby, she inverted the roles of mother and daughter to show how they both nurture one another. It is impossible to not feel such warmth in the song, as if the performance was live. There is a richness to the instrumentals that truly brings the song to life. It is quite remarkable that the track so vividly depicts familial love, especially for a debut album.
Distinct from her depictions of her mother, songs like “Was I Not Enough?” and “Who’s Going to Hold Me Next?” have country elements to show how she desires intimacy. In a plucky guitar line and soft production, however, an intimate atmosphere is created. Even when Le Ren describes that this doesn’t solely pertain to romantic love, there still is an intense longing that beautifully flows from the song. The more country-like performance also quite eloquently presents the universal experience of needing intimacy.
“Friends Are Miracles” truly has poetic lyricism throughout it. If the rest of the album is any testament to the talents of Le Ren, this truly comes to the fore in the track. In its verses, the progression of friendships occurs naturally. The production allowing for the key changes to be heard is a nice touch as well, connecting deeply to its largely folk-based roots. Like most songs on the album, sadness is acknowledged, while still holding onto the power of connection.
“May Hard Times Pass Us By” is a beautiful closer to Leftovers by Le Ren, as an anthem to the resilience of love. It has a distinctive plucking style that comes to the fore, creating interesting melodies that have heavy folk influence. After the glimpse of many manifestations of love, the track seems like a natural conclusion to not letting the harshness of reality sink one’s ability to love. It’s a fitting, loving closing track that seems to draw organically from the many different threads that are drawn throughout the album.
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