Single Review of Preston Lydotes: “Wrong”

image courtesy of Preston Lydotes

Boston-based singer-songwriter Preston Lydotes delivers a powerful and tuneful message in “Wrong.”

The song, a mea culpa for mistakes made, starts softly, confessionally, with simple acoustic guitar plucking and a vulnerable vocal that seems to crack a lot more than it really does – there’s really only one spot that goes beyond just a hint. That’s the sign of a talented vocalist.

As the song continues, the power builds along with the richness of the soundbed and the volume and fullness of the vocals, producing a solid emotional lump in the listener’s throat by the midpoint of the song.

photo courtesy of Preston Lydotes

In total, this is an exceptional single, despite its relatively simple instrumentation – or perhaps because of it. If you don’t get emotional while listening to “Wrong,” you’re at least somewhat heartless. And yet, whether or not you enjoy getting all emotional, you’ll agree “Wrong” is a must-hear.

Before and After

“Wrong,” released this past fall, was the first release following Lydotes’ 2023 EP Is There Anyone? More recently, per his bandcamp page, the singer-songwriter has dropped “The Fallout” (December 2024), “The Critic in Me” (January 2025), and “5 to 9” (April 2025). Just a quick listen to some of those records, and you’ll realize Lydotes covers a lot of musical ground, often much more energetically than on the very emotional “Wrong.” I’ve seen him dubbed a folk/pop-rock singer-songwriter. I’d advise considering that to be inclusive of folk, pop, and rock rather than a specific sound mixing the genres. This dude’s got range!