Sylvan Esso's Fourth Album Channels Turbulent Times into Cohesive Pop
The North Carolina duo's latest release presents a clearer emotional arc than earlier work, with production refined over a four-year gap. Amelia Meath's vocals navigate questions about coping with current events, rage, and self-care, though the album offers no definitive answers. Standout tracks like the opener balance pleasure with unease, reflecting the group's evolving electronic craft.
The album arrives four years after *No Rules Sandy*, with the duo refining their production during that extended gap. Meath's recent collaborative work includes covers of Mazzy Star and Broken Social Scene, plus backup vocals for Tyler Childers and Kevin Morby, while Sanborn maintains a label, studio, and North Carolina music festival alongside his production duties.
Standout tracks include the opener "Entertainment & Coca-Cola," the alt-rock-inflected single "Hot Slob," and "Concrete Glen," which samples a Sigur Ros falsetto. "Back Again" incorporates elements of "Apache" and "Crimson and Clover." The album is released on their Psychic Hotline label.
This album may resonate with listeners navigating similar anxieties about current events, offering pop music as a vehicle for processing rage and self-care questions without prescribing answers. The duo's refined electronic craft could broaden their appeal beyond indie audiences, potentially reinforcing how accessible pop formats can address unsettled contemporary feelings while maintaining entertainment value.