EP Review: Preston Lydotes’ “Is there anyone?”
By Olivia May
PRESTON LYDOTES PHOTOGRAPHED BY ASHER THOMAS
“I’ve got a name to mispronounce,” sings Preston Lydotes on his debut EP “Is There Anyone?” The Berklee student, whose last name is pronounced “Ly-DOE-tees,” released the five track indie-rock record in August after making a name for himself in the Boston area and beyond over the past year.
Amid dynamic instrumentals, the singer-songwriter offers insightful lyrics surrounding his coming-of-age stories coupled with satisfyingly smooth vocals. In a welcome divergence from much of the modern industry, “Is There Anyone?” isn’t superficial or disingenuous. Lydotes invites listeners to settle in and savor every emotion with heartfelt, candor-filled tracks, the likes of which you’d be hard pressed to find in today’s charts full of one hit wonders.
The EP starts strong with “Could You Believe,” a track that showcases the powerful drums and fluid vocals that are staples of Lydotes’ sound. Punctuated with catchy riffs and hooks, Lydotes’ lyrics tell stories that can resonate with anyone, from the demise of a relationship to the conflicting emotions that come with growing up and feeling that “life is newly defined” (“Let It Pour”). There’s an element of duality on the record. Raw rock band sound effortlessly transitions into longing harmonies on tracks like “To The Flame” and “Let It Pour,” encapsulating the highs and lows of the narrative behind the music. As the melodies build back up into soaring anthems, Lydotes’ attention to detail is recognizable in quick features like the flick of a lighter in the crucial second before the chorus crashes in on “To The Flame:” “Now I can’t breathe on my own / I just need one taste of that brunette smoke.” It’s moments like these that highlight the passion that goes into the production of Lydotes’ work.
“Vagabond” is a stunning closer, drawing the listener in with a two-minute buildup reminiscent of a Pink Floyd track. Along with the penultimate song, “Let It Pour,” “Vagabond” epitomizes the feelings of isolation and restlessness that drive the music home: “The world is on your case / Telling you to stand / And when you share yourself with another soul / Do they bluff? / Are you truly enough?” (“Vagabond”) Although the record ruminates on these struggles, “Is There Anyone?” is full of hope and fighting spirit. Lydotes leans into the character of the lone vagabond, foreshadowing a personal journey of growth: “As long as there’s a road to travel / and I’m allowed to go insane / I think that I’ll be moving forward / leaving you to yell and blame” (“Could You Believe”).
This forward movement is undoubtedly ahead for Lydotes and his band as they begin to expand their performative presence outside of the New England area. Preston Lydotes may have a name that’s easy to mispronounce, but it’s a name that’s worth remembering.
EDITED BY STEPH WARE