Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn, better known as Sylvan Esso, have been bringing their low-key electro-pop to the masses since 2014, bursting onto the scene with their self-titled debut album and the single “Hey Mami.” Over the years, they’ve put out a number of excellent records, dabbling in dustier, more fragile textures on Free Love, going dancier and glitchier on No Rules Sandy.
The two are constantly pushing at the edges of their sound while retaining the core of what makes a Sylvan Esso record sound like a Sylvan Esso record. Their new album Ow ∞, released this past Friday, represents perhaps the boldest reinvention of their sound, however.
It’s unabashedly nostalgic-sounding, trading the glitchy modular drums and glossy dance production of Free Love for turn-of-the-century breakbeats and distorted guitars. At times, the songs recall bands like Soul Coughing and Blur, on tracks like “Hot Slob” and “Concrete Glen.”
But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of bleeps and bloops and modern vocal production techniques to keep fans of past albums happy. To celebrate the release of Ow ∞ , Sylvan Esso agreed to answer our weekly questionnaire.
What is your most indispensable tool? Nick Sanborn: My laptop.
I have loved a series of MacBooks dating back to when I graduated from high school and cannot imagine working without one. I am absolutely one of those millennials who despises typing or doing any important work on a touchscreen.
What is one thing you wish you could change about your phone? NS: I wish it felt like it cared more about me than its creator.
Amelia Meath: I wish the phone was actually a food replicator. So many problems would be solved.
How many tabs do you have open right now? NS: Eight, which feels a touch low compared to my normal ADHD tab expanse.
No pins besides email, though, I like a tabula rasa scene when I open a browser. What is your happy place online?
NS: I still frequent a version of the old Monome forum, which is generally focused on programming and instrument design. The people there are excellent and interesting and so welcoming and nice.
It’s the only place on the internet that feels more positive than detrimental to me. What is your favorite gadget you’ve ever owned?
