EP Review: Shadow of The Gift

Mim Jensen is a unique name, and a name that belongs to someone with a heap of talent that appears to be growing from strength to strength.

She’s been a part of our live music scene for a few years now and writes in such a sweeping and compassionate way, it’s hard not to be moved.

Born in Brisbane, but raised in Christchurch, Mim (full name Miriam) and her band released her debut album in 2023, but prior to that, she was no musical wallflower, honing her craft as far back as 2018, possibly even earlier and isn’t afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve.

In what I would class as a blend of indie rock, but undertones of some folk, maybe even pop sensibilities, Mim Jensen has a vulnerability in her approach to songwriting and the ability to create profound music and it continues in her new EP, Shadow of The Gift.

I can honestly say this hits different to any other artist within this realm of genres and sub-genres. If you have a penchant for lyricism, then you’ll get it immediately.

Of the seven tracks, one of which is her recently released single, Safe In Body, it’s extraordinary the depths musicians can dig to that reveals them staying true to themselves but also can deliver something that will resonate deeply with fans. Mim Jensen does this as natural as it is to breathe.

Speaking of, Safe In Body is a good place to start as any. It’s a few songs in and easy to see why it was chosen as a new single. A gentle, but driving rhythm draws you in with Mim’s easy going, but delicate vocals.

Focus track PTP is another good example of Mim’s lyrical prowess. It manages to be delicate yet confident. This is a track with a lot of range and has some beautiful arrangements.

I have to point out an absolute favourite of mine is Warm Gun (a clean version also appears after Safe In Body, with a two second difference in length)

It’s haunting in the way that it grabs at you and tugs at your heart strings. I’m not sure why I feel melancholic yet uplifted in the same vein, but here we are, and that’s what Warm Gun has conjured. It’s also incredibly beautiful, but I mean really beautiful lyrically and in Mim’s delivery. It stays with you like a memory you just can’t shake.

Shadow of The Gift is an extraordinary piece of art that is really going to resonate with fans, past and present, and I think Mim Jensen has a long career ahead of her.