Now that break is in full swing, it’s time to sit back, relax and take a break from the craziness of school. Sylvan Esso can help with that. My good friend Lori introduced me to this group, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Their dreamy, illustrious music has been running through my head all break, and I felt it was time to share it.
On their self-titled album, their lead single, “Coffee,” is a friendly slow dance. Low hums and playful bells call everyone to the dance floor—at least that’s what the music video shows. Their quirky style shines brightly in this joyous tune, forming their folky, electro-pop vibe.
These charms play throughout the album, especially the opener “Hey Mami.” We are introduced to ambient city noise as we move into the childish sound of Amelia Meath, the lead vocalist, chanting “Hey Mami.” “Sooner or later/ The dudes at bodegas/ Will hold their lips and own this s**t,” Meath quickly sings, leading to Nick Sanborn’s, the other face of Sylvan Esso, swollen bass and scattering beats. This is a strong beginning to their debut album.
More of Sanborn’s bass can be found in “Wolf,” a slow crooner about a carnivorous Romeo. Many “Ahoos” can be heard, as well as subtle jabs at the so-called “modern wolf,” which I’m assuming alludes to today’s “hook-up culture.”
“Wolf” is all about the bass, and so is “Could I Be.” This thumping song speaks of the joys of traveling and the homesickness that comes with it. “Could I be coming home with the waves rolling back,” becomes the main mantra of the song, looping constantly throughout the chorus as waves of synth come lurching in.
The album does tend to fall into repetition with the constant looping of Meath’s voice and wobbly electronics. Even with that, though, they have some great hits on the album, like “Play It Right.” Both Meath and Sanborn take a front seat in this song, with Meath giving us her vulnerable, unique voice as Sanborn gives blooms of bass and high energy beats. Now, this song doesn’t sound anything like a dance song, but they make it one in the music video. Simple washes of light and not much else make this video, where you just see Meath, Sanborn and a few others getting down to the music.
Sylvan Esso has a ways to go. Their debut album wasn’t as strong as I had hoped from the small amount of songs I was introduced to, but it shows something; there is definitely some hidden light that I feel needs to come out, and I truly hope it does. At least they have created a solid start to a hopefully long and flourishing music career.
http://open.spotify.com/user/dutastyjams/playlist/1n7c7OlC81t4HxSr4QydhG
