My introduction to Sylvan Esso came in New York's Central Park. I had dashed from my temporary office that week for a brief glimpse. The park felt smaller than I'd imagined, with towering buildings around the edges leaning in like watchful guardians. Perhaps I hadn't reached the true heart of Central Park, but I perched on a sun-warmed rock beside the path, stretched out, and let 'Play it Right' wash over me. It was like inhaling the entire city's energy in one breath—its ambitions, its dreams, its sticky disco floors. Five minutes later, I had to scramble back to work, but that summer was forever altered.
So it's no surprise I awaited Sylvan Esso's next chapter with eager anticipation.
With the arrival of 'What Now', a noticeable evolution has taken place. Maybe, colored by nostalgia, it's expected that the opening track 'Sounds' transported me to another era—specifically, to a couch watching the Season 2 finale of 'The O.C.'. I'm not claiming Sylvan Esso echoes Imogen Heap heavily, but the melancholic synth texture of Amelia Meath's voice caught me off guard. It stirred some emotion.
From there, the album lifts itself up decisively. It contains all the elements that make this duo so compelling—Meath's vocals remain sweet and energetic, while Nick Sanborn's synth-pop backing stays playful and lively. Their sound is remarkably distinct, akin to spending time with a friend's new puppy—it leaves you smiling for hours afterward.
The catch is that it's almost too cheerful. While the lyrics sometimes subvert pop conventions (looking at you, 'Radio' and 'Kick Jump Twist'), they've paradoxically become more... pop. You might call it self-aware electro, conscious pop, or mindful music-making. They're poking fun at their own style. But in doing so, I feel they've lost a fraction of the enchantment from their debut. The lyrics seem slightly less wistful, the bass a touch lighter—that strange, heady blend from tracks like 'Hey Mami' doesn't leap out from any song on 'What Now'.
Still, the collection holds some truly special moments. 'Die Young' is the thinking person's disco anthem, and 'Rewind' closes the album with a mesmerizing finish. Definitely worth downloading if you need a little pre-holiday boost!
