Sylvan Esso, an electropop duo, is slated to play a sold-out show at Jupiter Hall on Wednesday, May 24. Their lyrics are as biting as their music is euphoric, which is perhaps why the duo has been praised by critics and listeners alike.
Lead singer and lyricist Amelia Meath met producer Nick Sanborn by chance in 2010.
Mountain Man, the band that Meath was then singing in, needed an opener and Sanborn really needed a gig. At the time, he was working on a solo project which he’s described as “really loud, bad instrumental hip-hop.” But something between the two musicians clicked and Meath challenged Sanborn to remix some of her music. It took Sanborn several months, but Sanborn finally got together what eventually became “Play it right,” one of their first songs as “Sylvan Esso.”
In 2014, the two released their first album, which took off shortly after it was released.
With their sophomore album, which came out in late April, they got a bit cheekier.
The top single from the album, “Radio,” pokes fun at the expectations of creating perfect playable songs for the radio. “Slave to the radio . . . 3.30,” sings Meath. Of course, the song itself clocks in just over 3 minutes and 30 seconds. “Faking the truth in a new pop song. Don’t you wanna sing along” sings Meath later on.
The rest of their “What Now” album is a bit more romantic. With songs like “Die Young,” Meath brings in a bit of a classic romantic comedy, “Had it all planned before you met me, I had a plan you ruined it completely.” Others, like “Just Dance,” and “The Glow,” are geared more towards the dancing crowd and will no doubt fit in well at Jupiter Hall.
Sylvan Esso
WHEN: 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 24
WHERE: Jupiter Hall, 1 Crossgates Mall Road, Albany
MORE INFO: http://www.sylvanesso.com/
Categories: Entertainment
