Lydia - Assailants - EP

Ambient, Indie, Rock
Independent

Lydia

Assailants - EP

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4

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Like an elegy - Assailants - ambient-rock act Lydia's third release, is beautiful, bittersweet, and accompanied with great sadness. Following 2008's slice of musical heaven – Illuminate – an album that is the musical personification of the words "elegant" and "stunning" - an album that displays an unsurpassable illustration of music that is ultimately poignant and exquisite – the band had, rightfully so, accumulated hope for greater things in the future. The sad reality of life however, is that things fall apart, relationships break, and nothing gold can stay. The departure of keyboardist/backing vocalist, and integral member Mindy White is sure to have fueled Lydia's disintegration, and the announcement that Assailants was to be Lydia's swan song came soon after. Just sit back, bare eyes (and ears), start the show.

With seven songs amassing 21 minutes, Assailants is sure to be judged and characterized by its length. A distinct lack of continuity and cohesion - perhaps as a result of the circumstances surrounding the recording process - means that the EP feels somewhat frenzied. In quintessence though, this is still Lydia, with the same dignity, simplicity, and distinct acoustic edge all present. The production, courtesy of Matt Malpass (who also did Illuminate), sounds as sensous and opulent as ever, despite sounding slightly distorted at times. Unchanged however, are Leighton Antelman's trademark crisp, lingering vocals, and the band's wonderfully poetic and always cryptic lyrical themes.

The preface of "Enjoy The Show" is an apt introduction to Lydia's farewell, as frontman Leighton Antelman announces; "so glad you could make it to a farewell", amidst an elevated and majestic instrumental backdrop. The sensational duo of "We Clean Up So Well" and "Empty Out Your Stomach" are contrived immaculately, touching upon wealth, hatred and love, while displaying Lydia's lyrical prowess with unmatchable sincerity. Lines like "I'm sure I know what you're going through / yeah I call it vanity / The world is yours so take it / vanity / I lost my mouth, can you speak for me" are sure to make a profoud and lasting impact on listeners. This self-assured sincerity and affection transforms into a shroud of despondence, as "I've Never Seen A Witch" is tinged with wistful sadness like never before, with the depiction of a breakdown being communicated by lyrics such as "You were a ghost from late October / I will be one come summer". The melancholy aura continues with the digitalized and somewhat confusing interlude "Music Makers," and the gloomy cosmopolitan tale of "A Place Near The City". The EP's grand finale and title-track "Assailants" provides a dreamy ending to Lydia's discography, firstly echoing opener "Enjoy The Show" with lyrics of "I can't seem to kill my assailants / they keep changing faces," before gracefully proclaiming "can I be honest / sing you a sonnet / you're not the world baby". Perhaps the lesson for us all is that despite life's assailants prevailing and changing, you can too.

Granted - Lydia's farewell may not be their chef-d'oeuvre - but it's damn good. Attempting to draw comparisons to Illuminate can only result in disappointment, but attempting to draw comparisons to 99% of current recording artists can only elevate Lydia onto a musical pedestal. Despite minor, logistically unavoidable, missteps with regards to length and fluency, Assailants is an admirable and commendable chapter on which to end a successful seven years. Farewell, Lydia, and thank you.

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