The Artist Ren is a Los Angeles, USA-based alternative rock and pop artist who has just come to my attention thanks to her lockdown inspired new EP Under the Bleachers.
By Graeme Smith
The pandemic was tough for everyone, but spare a thought for the teenagers, who had to spend some of the best years of their lives stuck at home. The Artist Ren gives us a taste of what that was like with Under the Bleachers, exploring different aspects of the lockdown across six tracks.
The EP opens with sleepstuff a dreamy piece of pop inspired by insomnia. The vocals are instantly captivating, laidback yet emotive in the vein of Phoebe Bridgers and Clairo. After the first chorus, we get a lovely indie rock instrumental breakdown. It’s a wonderful start.
Meowmeow gives us a different but cohesive vibe. Funky and whimsical, the instrumentals nicely contrast the melancholic vocals and bittersweet lyrics. .mp3 brings with it heavy bass and a sultry style while The Circus is intimate and acoustic, with cutting lyrics. Not the Clones! livens things back up with some urgent emo pop rock. It’s anthemic chorus is an EP highlight.
Radio Nurse closes the EP with soft but vibrant indie rock. Its looping guitar melody is utterly mesmerising in the first verse before the drama ramps up for the chorus. It’s the perfect closer, with a sound that will linger long after the last note is played.
The Artist Ren is a beautiful songwriter, and the wisdom of her lyrics are doubling impressive given she was fifteen and sixteen when she wrote the songs on Under the Bleachers. Based on the evidence of this EP, she’s a definite one to watch on the pop scene. I can’t wait to hear what she does next!
The Artist Ren is Lauren Van Houten who writes and performs all the songs on Under the Bleachers. Production comes from Dramakaze Studios in Joshua Tree, California. You can give the EP a listen below.