home//body by Laura Mock
Laura Mock’s debut EP, home//body, is a work of art. As the stylized title suggests—a visual division of the word ‘homebody’—the project explores two philosophical questions in tandem: “Where do I belong?” and “Who am I?” These dual themes of home and body unfold across the EP with intricate lyrics and intentional production. Through vivid storytelling and richly layered arrangements, home//body excels in its lyrical content, musical composition, and production, offering a deeply reflective listening experience.
Lyrical Themes
For starters, the EP’s opening track, “Acadia,” immediately establishes ‘home’ as a central theme. Named after the iconic Maine national park, the lyrics include imagery of evergreen forests and Atlantic ocean waves. Anyone who has been there will know that the imagery of the lyrics is spot-on. The lyric, “I can’t live insincere, but when I come back, will you still be mine?” evokes a deep sense of uncertainty—has home remained the same, or has it shifted in the time spent away? The narrative follows a familiar story arc: a small-town girl yearns to leave in pursuit of bigger dreams but is afraid that she will return and find that the comfort she once associated with home may no longer exist. This storyline carries into “Landlocked,” which expands on the theme through the “starving artist” trope. The song has lines about scraping by, waiting tables by day, and toiling away chasing a creative dream at night. This is sure to pull at the heartstrings of any aspiring (or washed-up) creative. The EP’s final track, “Rocky Shore,” revisits Maine’s coastal imagery and harkens back to the iconic “Vacationland” scenery, which is used to further deepen the theme of home. Here, the protagonist longs for a past that may no longer exist—physically or emotionally. The lyrics suggest that what we remember as home is often a romanticized version, and futile attempts to return to it are met with the realization that both the place and oneself have changed. This unresolved tension around the theme of home as it relates to ourselves leaves us with a poignant question: is home a fixed place, or is it a state of mind that evolves with time?
The second lyrical theme is what the EP frames as the ‘body’ half of the title home//body—an introspective dive into the self. The theme of identity and inner turmoil runs throughout the project, often interwoven with feelings of displacement and existential doubt.
“Ribs” is perhaps the most literal expression of self-reflection (though told through third person)—the song kicks off with a moment of gazing into the mirror and talking to one’s inner critic. The body becomes both literal and symbolic, representing vulnerability, fragility, and the desire to make sense of the many layers of selves beneath the surface. Any listener who has struggled with body image or self-confidence would relate to the ache the lyrics mention.
“Landlocked” also includes elements of the self theme, such as viewing oneself in the reflection of the Atlantic and the line “I lost myself when I’m by the water.” The word choice of ‘landlocked’ stands in stark contrast to the water imagery in ‘Acadia’—and in later songs, too. That contrast sharpens the feeling of being stuck, unable to move forward. The line, “Wonder if this was the ‘you’ you had before it all went wrong—or have you been landlocked all along?” questions whether we can abandon ourselves and start anew, or if we simply rediscover versions of ourselves that were always present. It also incites one to contemplate whether identity is self-created or if a person’s core self is predetermined by higher powers such as fate.
“CTC” offers a unique lyrical approach, creating an externalized character dubbed “Darling.” The song plays out as a cosmic dialogue between this character and an astrological narrator. The song then turns to the singer’s response to the story of Darling. Its lyrical tone blends absurdist nihilism with cosmic metaphors—stardust, fate, destiny—such as “She wanted to matter, but people are just matter—and if I mean nothing to the Sun, I mean something to someone.” It’s a clever narrative device that deepens the EP’s exploration of identity and demonstrates the strong songwriting and storytelling skills that make Laura Mock a remarkably creative artist. This track would greatly appeal to listeners who have a soft spot for philosophy as well as unique storytelling devices and literature.
Production and Musical Influences
Beyond lyrical complexity and the two main themes, home//body is sonically rich and carefully crafted with meticulous production choices that heighten its themes. Drawing from folk, Americana, and contemporary pop, the EP blends acoustic textures and atmospheric elements to create a cohesive soundscape that supports its thematic material. Influences range widely, from Phoebe Bridgers, Fleet Foxes, Nickel Creek, and Big Red Machine to Aurora, Florence + The Machine, Bon Iver, and Hozier.
The title track, “Acadia,” is built around a rich piano foundation, with light, airy string arrangements that complement the delicate yet expressive vocal delivery. The way the word “Acadia” is sung in the hook carries an ethereal quality. Subtle guitar textures anchor the song beneath the song’s more atmospheric elements. “Landlocked” expands on this with layered guitar arrangements and dreamy background vocals that feel almost celestial—mirroring the song’s references to astrology. The synchronization between the cinematic drums and lyrics creates a sense of weight, making key phrases hit with added impact. These two tracks are in the range of contemporary pop, most similar to Big Red Machine and Phoebe Bridgers type of sounds.
Next up on the track list is “Ribs,” which is striking for its ethereal vocal layering, which gives the song an almost spiritual atmosphere and makes it texturally distinctive. This choice enhances the themes of self-exploration and inner reckoning, making the song feel both deeply personal and universally resonant. This is followed by “CTC,” which leans more into pop production, incorporating synth elements that set it apart from the more organic instrumentation of the other tracks. Yet, the signature elements of Mock’s sound remain—cinematic drums, rich piano, and deep, bowed strings. The production makes effective use of contrast—silences before chorus drops, for instance, create moments of anticipation that keep the listener engaged. “Ribs” and “CTC” might take more inspiration from creatives like Florence + The Machine or Aurora.
To wrap everything up in a neat little bookend of Maine imagery, “Rocky Shore” dips into folk and bluegrass territory, with fiddle-like violin playing and vocal techniques quintessential of country artists. This not only showcases the artist’s vocal versatility but also reinforces the theme of home through a musical lens, as folk and bluegrass are genres deeply tied to storytelling and nostalgia. This is where some influences from Nickel Creek, Fleet Foxes, or Hozier become clearer.
Overall
Across just five songs and under twenty minutes, Laura Mock showcases remarkable depth in songwriting, production, and emotional storytelling. home//body is not just a promising debut—it’s a powerful statement of artistic vision. If this EP is any indication, a full-length album from Mock has the potential to be nothing short of a masterpiece.
The lyrical threads of Maine, astrology, displacement, self-doubt, and identity interweave throughout home//body, creating a cohesive and vulnerable narrative. Musically, the EP offers both diversity and unity—balancing folk and pop elements, bluegrass textures, and electronic flourishes while maintaining a recognizable sonic signature of cinematic drums, rich piano, and layered strings. In exploring both home and body—where we come from and who we are—Laura Mock has given us a debut that’s not just emotionally rich, but philosophically grounded in its exploration of existentialism. home//body may be a debut, but it feels like the work of an artist who already knows exactly who she is—and exactly where she’s headed. In asking ‘Where do I belong?’ and ‘Who am I?,’ Laura Mock doesn’t just pose questions—she turns them into songs that live in your bones.