Album Review: Sylvan Esso Is Reaching For Free Love

Sylvan Esso is known for bringing the house down. There is nothing about them that is quiet nor desires to be. Yet, sometimes, silence can be loud and softness can be the roughest thing to accept. The way of turning minimal to maximal is part of Sylvan Esso’s new record, Free Love.
Sylvan Esso – Free

Their last album, What Now?, was a combustible, confetti filled middle finger to the 2016 election. Beneath its groovy synths and heavy baselines were lyrics on how our fast-paced, social media crazed, anxiety- inducing society led to Trump. To them. Don was a manifestation of a disease long-festering; the problem was that he was the worst, fatal symptom. In Free Love, comes their attempt at healing, which might be why they still want to ignite the party, but after a few bits of meditation.
Sylvan Esso – Frequency (Official Music Video)

Does Free Love make you dance? Tracks like “Frequency” and “Train,” still highlight Sylvan Esso’s ability to make you dance like your legs were kicking air drums. Yet, their sound is more mechanical this time; perhaps a further symbol that they feel the world is still trying to find life in its machinations. Yet, for this record round, it is when they go softer that Amelia North’s voice truly floats over Nick Sanborn’s production. More than previous records, her voice feels at a delicate forefront, which makes sense when you are promoting Free Love. Sylvan Esso’s Free Love comes out September 25. Buy It Here.