Sylvan Esso is a babble-blather band name, but the good times the moniker symbolizes roll all over the band’s debut. As I wrote last month in a review of their simple-yet-addictive-single, “Coffee,” the electronic duo is composed of Mountain Man vocalist Amelia Meath and Megafaun bassist Nick Sanborn. And while their roots lie more in folk-rock than in bass drops, the pair breezily delivers smile-inducing bangers throughout their entire first full-length, Sylvan Esso.

The record opens with Meath singing a repetitive phrase over handclaps and some studio-spawned wind. In fact, it isn’t until a smidgen over a minute and a half into “Hey Mami” that Sanborn formally drops the beat. The result it has isn’t too explosive, but rather just right; the way Meath’s warm vocals cascade over his uncluttered beats may look improbable on paper, but in reality the pairing is simple chemistry — and the results are marvelous.

While electronic music can come off as cold and robotic, Sylvan Esso feels wholly human. These are tracks about having your coffee at just the right temperature, wearing just the right dress, and making just the right first impression. This is an album about the little things in our lives, like when you’re trying to figure out what tunes to play at your next barbecue. Well, look no further: Sylvan Esso has arrived. 

Sylvan Esso
Sylvan Esso
PLAYLIST PICKS: "Dreamy Bruises," "H.S.K.T.," "Coffee"
Replayability94%
Likelihood this will soundtrack your next barbecue70%
Likelihood this will soundtrack my next barbecue100%
82%Overall

About The Author

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Andrew Brandt is the albums editor for Jonk Music and a former senior writer. He has also contributed to Pretty Much Amazing, Turntable Kitchen and Isthmus. Andrew eats Roma® Original Pizzas like they’re giant cookies.