Ben Lester: I Could Change
Ben Lester – I Could Change: A Chamber-Pop Masterpiece Caught Between Nostalgia and the Future
by Jack Rush
There is something wonderfully ambitious about an artist who insists on doing everything himself, even if it takes eight years to get an album over the finish line. London-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ben Lester is clearly not one to compromise when it comes to his musical vision. Armed with an almost obsessive admiration for The Beach Boys and a deep appreciation for the art of sophisticated pop songwriting, Lester has developed a distinctive sound he describes as "chamber-dream-pop" – a richly textured blend of classic melodic craftsmanship and contemporary psychedelic sensibilities.
His second album, I Could Change, is the culmination of that creative ambition. Across eleven tracks, Lester combines lush chamber-pop arrangements, neo-psychedelic flourishes, soaring melodies and jazz-inflected harmonies into an elaborate musical landscape. Written, performed and produced entirely by Lester himself, the record represents a significant step forward from his self-titled debut, embracing greater dynamics, quicker chord changes and more restless arrangements.
Beneath the sumptuous musical arrangements, however, lies a considerably darker narrative. Conceived as a concept album exploring the inevitability of change, the relentless passage of time and humanity's seemingly unavoidable march towards extinction, I Could Change tackles some rather existential territory. Approaching his thirties has clearly influenced Lester's perspective, although he is quick to acknowledge that he might be getting a little ahead of himself. The contrast between these weighty themes and the record's often uplifting musical character creates an intriguing lyrical dissonance, making the experience considerably less bleak than its subject matter might suggest.
Lester's musical influences are equally fascinating. Brian Wilson remains the central inspiration, his gift for melodic sophistication and unconventional arrangements serving as something of a guiding light. The influence of Todd Rundgren, Prefab Sprout and Steely Dan can also be detected in the intricate songwriting and carefully constructed sonic details. Yet Lester is not simply interested in recreating the sounds of another era. His admiration for contemporary acts such as Magdalena Bay reflects a desire to take the best elements of classic pop and reinterpret them through a distinctly modern perspective.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Lester's approach is his commitment to complete creative independence. By performing and producing every note himself, he enjoys absolute control over the finished product, working entirely at his own pace and on his own terms. That freedom, however, comes with a price: perfectionism. His debut album reportedly took eight years to complete, while I Could Change was initially given a six-month deadline – a target he ultimately surpassed by finishing the record in just six weeks. Clearly, inspiration sometimes works best when the clock is ticking.
Despite his meticulous studio approach, Lester appears refreshingly uncomplicated when it comes to performing live. Happy playing to audiences of any size, he particularly looks forward to bringing the rockier material, including 'Into Place' and 'Someday', to life in front of a packed room. One memorable encounter at London's Islington O2 Academy, when an audience member approached him after a performance to shake his hand and declare "you're the real deal", remains a particularly cherished moment.
Having previously attracted attention as a BBC Introducing featured artist, with early recordings earning regular airplay and praise for his distinctive songwriting, Lester is now ready to put his latest work in front of a wider audience. His new single 'Begin' offers another glimpse into his ability to marry melodic elegance with meaningful lyrical exploration.
With I Could Change, Ben Lester makes a compelling case for the enduring appeal of ambitious, meticulously crafted pop music. It's an album that looks backwards for inspiration while keeping its eyes firmly on the future, balancing the melodic optimism of classic chamber pop with a distinctly contemporary sense of existential unease. If Lester's ambition is to create something timeless without becoming trapped in nostalgia, he seems to be heading in precisely the right direction.
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