EP Review: "Hanging In The Balance" - Lauren Presley
- Karlee Skipper
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
The highly anticipated debut EP from alt-pop singer-songwriter Lauren Presley is finally here. Hanging In The Balance is a flawless five-track project that explores the singer’s journey through “self-doubt, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness.” Her talent shines through with her vulnerable lyrics and powerful vocals. Each song shares a profound message that resonates with listeners, while Presley shares an intimate insight into her personal experience. Hanging In The Balance is perfect for fans of dark-pop, alternative, and punk rock.
TRACKLIST
Hanging In The Balance
People Leave
Can I Be Happy
Paralyzed
Ghost
Lauren Presley is a pop singer-songwriter from Texas who is now based in Nashville. Her sound blends alt-pop and dark pop, drawing influence from artists such as Tate McRae, Halsey, Fletcher, and Nessa Barrett. She released her debut single, “A Little Longer,” in 2020. The track has garnered over 1 million Streams on Spotify and 5.6 million views on YouTube. Her talent has earned critical acclaim from prominent names, including Wonderland, Notion, Earmilk, Popfiltr, Kings of A&R, and Loss In The Nordics. She also earned a coveted cover feature on Spotify’s Fresh Finds: Pop playlist. With her stunning vocals and relatable songwriting, Presley continues to make impressive waves in the industry. Follow her on all socials to stay updated with all new announcements and releases!
Hanging In The Balance
Presley kicks off the album with the title track, “Hanging In The Balance." It serves as an interlude, slowly reeling the listener into the vulnerable EP. The minute and 17-second song packs a big punch in a short time. The track instantly starts with an eerie soundscape and Presley’s angelic voice. Her vocals have an empty-arena effect on them, accentuating the haunting soundscape. The artist confesses the gut-wrenching truth of her current mentality – she is “hanging in the balance.” She won’t let anyone see the pain and suffering she is going through. The track gives a glimpse into the upcoming tracks on the album, showcasing her heartbreak and sorrow.
People Leave
“People Leave” is the lead single from Hanging In The Balance. The dark-pop song transports the listener into Presley’s anxious thoughts about relationships. She sings to her partner, expressing her deep disappointment in herself. She wants to trust them with no strings attached and admits they have not done anything to ruin that trust. However, she is so traumatized by past relationships that she is afraid they will leave. In the chorus, she apologizes for her behavior and explains it’s not her but “it’s the girl who’s still in pain // Who never watched them stay // And watched them walk away.” The lyrics are backed by a powerful pop-rock production that emphasizes the desperation of the message. Presley’s passionate vocals complement this instrumentation, making “People Leave” a flawless anthem and earning its spot as my favorite track on the project.
Our talented writer, Hanna Kowal, wrote a song review for “People Leave” in December 2024. Check it out here!
Can I Be Happy
The second single is composed of heavy punk rock and dark pop influences. The style is reminiscent of early Paramore and new Cassadee Pope. Presley showcases her impressive vocal range, guiding the listener through her journey of pain and self-doubt. The song begins with a mesmerizing guitar melody and her angelic vocals as she expresses her inability to leave well enough alone and be content with where she is. The soothing soundscape in the verse bursts into the heavy, pop-rock chorus that emphasizes her fear of never being enough or ever loving herself unconditionally. The song is the perfect catharsis not only for her but for listeners who resonate with this heartbreaking message. “Can I Be Happy” proves that Presley found the genre made for her.
Our talented writer, Victoria Fitzgerald, wrote a song review for “Can I Be Happy” in February 2025. Check it out here!
Paralyzed
“Paralyzed” starts with an eerie synth production that lulls the listener into a dark, haunting soundscape. The instrumentation complements Presley’s lower register in the verse as she sets the foundation for the gut-wrenching, vulnerable lyrics. Throughout the track, she explores her frustration in feeling stuck with her career and personal life. She feels pressure from all sides, and nothing has gone as planned. She is “paralyzed," unable to escape this place of never-ending disappointment and misery. The song is utterly relatable to anyone in their 20s who had strong ambitions and thought they would be the best in their field by the time they turned 21, but are nearing their 30s with nothing to show for it. It is a quarter-life crisis anthem, making listeners, including myself, feel less alone in their self-doubt and bitterness.
Ghost
“Ghost” is the emotional ballad on the EP, sharing the singer’s struggle with mental health and sorrow. The song’s dark-pop soundscape evokes feelings of pain and melancholy as her lyrics describe how everything is slowly chipping away at her happiness. From the lyrics “Running off Zoloft and coffee” to “overworked and underpaid,” Presley ingeniously depicts the Gen Z and Millennial experience of pushing through life one day at a time. Now, she feels as if she is a ghost of herself – a shell of who she once was. Life has turned her into someone she does not recognize and is “hanging in the balance.” One more wrong turn… one more mishap, and she may lose herself entirely. Closing the project with “Ghosts” neatly wraps Hanging In The Balance, starting and ending the project with the significant theme of suffering in silence.
Our talented writer, Nini Alano, wrote a song review for “Ghost” in April 2025. Check it out here!
Hanging In The Balance by Lauren Presley is a skipless project that features heavy, dark-pop anthems and emotional ballads that tug on listeners' hearts. With her stunning vocals, the singer mesmerizes her audience while providing a cathartic release for herself. From the anxiety-fueled “People Leave” to the self-loathing in “Ghost,” Presley has crafted a well-rounded EP. Her authentic lyrics provide a source of comfort for her audience, reassuring them they are not alone. Hanging In The Balance is strong proof that the singer is one of the most exciting up-and-coming artists to watch!
Listen to the Hanging In The Balance now and follow Presley for more!
Written By Karlee Skipper
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