By: Bruna Cucolo
An album that looks out for one another, Echosmith’s Lonely Generation expresses growth whether through a joyful moment or feeling of despair that can come in the age of the internet. The new record, released on January 10,2020 uses new techniques when it comes to expressing and looking back on experiences the band has gone through. They expose themselves in a way they have not done before. Most importantly, they want listeners to know that they are not alone. With the new release, fans cannot help but wonder what went on behind their new album and what is to come now that it is out.
The band consists of three siblings: Noah, Graham, and Sydney Sierota. As being a band for just over 10 years, lead singer Sydney says it is “very natural to do it as a family” because “it feels so comfortable.” Within the three siblings, they are able to have conversations that are honest so that they can understand and be clear with one another. As a family, talking to each other about how they feel does not scare them. Behind this album with having had those hard and fun conversations, Lonely Generation was born. Sydney was able to talk about the behind the music of Echosmith’s latest release.
“Lonely Generation” is not only an album title but also the first track of the album, fitting perfectly in the track list due to its meaning. It reflects on social media and technology use within the younger generation. This track was created from “a lot of personal experiences with social media and all the frustrations and some things that come out of it,” Sydney says. She goes on to say that the band itself is online frequently since they “respond to as many fans’ comments, DM’s, or messages as we possibly can.”
However, the singer expresses that it is “hard to know when to put the phone down” and to “really tune into real life.” People should “invest in actual relationships that are face-to-face” because this is something that is valuable to do yet also forgettable. The song is not telling others what to do – it is not saying they “shouldn’t be on their phones every day.”
Lonely Generation is intended to be more vulnerable than their past projects. “In the past, we’ve always been intentional about writing from our own experiences,” Sydney explains. With their new album they want to express themselves in this way to their fans through their music once again, but especially with the new record. Their songs are written while keeping in mind that “something I’ve gone through somebody else has gone through too across the world.” They have received messages of fans saying, “‘Oh my gosh, [the lyrics are]exactly how I feel and I didn’t know how to put that into words, [I’m] so glad you wrote this song!’” It does not matter where one is or where they live, anyone can relate to at least one of their lyrics.
And with the vulnerability that is heard throughout the album, it should be known that what had been thought was, “it can be really scary to be vulnerable,” but “people need to hear the vulnerability and honesty.” The band as a whole want fans to hear something “that can change their life or really help them through whatever they’re going through.” Not only the three siblings but also the fans can all relate to their music which makes it even more special. And it was the fans who “gave us the courage to go there and be that vulnerable.” Sydney herself says she has “been working on my personal life and just being vulnerable and being honest about where I’m at.” Their passion for expressing themselves with their fans is something that is important to them and it is “really good for our fans to see that.”
Even with their song “Everyone Cries,” according to Sydney, she has already witnessed that it has “helped a lot of people from what I’ve seen on social media.” It is meaningful, and even though all their songs are made to have purpose, this song in particular helps people and is “a good message for all of us here.” Once again, this is all intentional.
Looking at behind Echosmith’s music, their intentions are always to be honest with what they go through “even if it completely sucks and hurt so bad in that moment.” None of their songs are explicit with dark moments, though. Instead, the lyrics are written with a more positive tone. Although they discuss hard times, they do so in a fashion that puts the desire of hope in the center of the songs’ meanings. Sydney states that what they would rather have is “more feelings behind the music.” She says, “we have the opportunity with our music to share that there is more than what you’re going through and you will get through it.”
They want their fans to feel as if they are in a living room, hanging out, while fun moments are happening. Confetti, exciting drum solos, having an enormous amount of musical moments that are fun, and interacting with the crowd full of energy are some of the things they love and could potentially consist of on tour. It will be exceptionally dynamic with many layers. Something that excites the band is the opportunity to connect with each other in a special way. With Lonely Generation specifically, it is “a way for us to connect more than we ever have because this album is so personal, we want this tour to feel just personal like the album.”
Knowing the truth behind Echosmith’s new record, Lonely Generation becomes even more of a cherished piece of art. So much of what has been happening in the lives of Noah, Graham, and Sydney are put together and made into an unique album, allowing others to feel and reflect together. As Sydney said, it is not the end, it is only the beginning, and this part of the beginning has an exciting rush among fans who will be attending one, or more, of the band’s tour dates. “It’s going to be really great, [it]can be a really fun journey that will take our fans with us.”
