If indie-electronic duo Sylvan Esso had any opposition to their reputation as folk musicians, they certainly showed it on their sophomore album “What Now.” The album features hauntingly mature beats mixed with synthetic rhythms that are far from even the broadest scopes of folk.
Musician Nick Sanborn’s dynamic combination of organic sounds and technological tempo against singer Amelia Meath’s dreamy voice provide a 37-minute commentary on fame and the surrounding world. Through satirical storytelling and lyrics that paint pictures of everyday life, the duo reflects on seemingly unimportant memories, such as, driving and listening to music.
The opener, “Sound,” sets the tone for the remainder of the album. A static, crackling noise eventually evolves into a buzzing tone and the hints of what could be an electronic instrument being tuned. It is as if Sanborn and Meath simply recorded a few minutes of setting up to record in the studio, beginning with equipment and transitioning to instrument preparation.
Meath’s voice becomes incorporated as the beat progresses, until the music eventually fades out and leaves her asking, “Who’s gonna write a song for you?” against an eerie a cappella backdrop. This two-and-a-half-minute introduction takes something as simple as static noise and uses it to comment on the importance of sounds in the surrounding environment, lighting a clear path for what will follow on the album.
The next track, “The Glow,” immediately counteracts the gloomy vibe of the album opener. It features several instruments, both acoustic and electronic, to fuse together an upbeat harmony that highlights Meath’s raw talent artfully. She sings of memories and people from her past, using real names and vivid descriptions that elicit a feeling of nostalgia and emphasize the album’s theme of storytelling.
The next songs take listeners through a series of smooth rhythms and tender tales. A more mellow “Die Young” has a somber and dramatic vibe that contrasts the wistful tempo of “The Glow,” reminding listeners of the duo’s debut self-titled album from 2014. While the story that Meath tells is moving — “I was gonna die young / Now I gotta wait for you, honey” is powerfully sung — the song itself borders on boring. The melody remains static throughout the entirety, selling Sanborn’s talent, as well as the song’s potential, short.
Unfortunately, the next several songs on the album run into a similar problem. Meath’s lyrics weave metaphors and paint pictures that comment on moments of daily life, but her voice gets lost among synthetic instrumentals. For example, “Kick Jump Twist” attempts to parallel a dubstep-like tune, but instead ends up sounding like a combination of random beeps and out-of-place bass drops that would confuse even Skrillex.
“Song” is almost irritating to listen to. Listeners must strain to hear Meath’s voice as she sings about missing potential and uses music as a metaphor for her role in another person’s life. It is unfortunate that her message is not more audible — sung a cappella, this number would be expressive and eloquent.
Along with “The Glow”, the true gems on the album — and, truthfully, the only tasteful songs — are “Radio” and “Rewind.” “Radio” transports listeners to an empty road late at night, where Meath sings about being a slave to fame, technology and obsessions that arise in pop culture. Its catchy rhythm and indie-pop undertones scream “single.”
The duo makes an interesting, yet skillful choice in choosing “Rewind” for the closing track. The song uses organic instruments to tell about re-watching moments from a distance, as if prompting listeners to consider their experience listening to “What Now.” The melancholy lyrics and haunting music work well together, ending the album on a refined note.
“What Now” definitely has a heavy focus on music and instrumentals. At times, this enhances the songs and emphasizes the various metaphors and stories, such as in the opening and closing tracks. For the majority of the album, however, it distracts from Meath’s voice and the message Sylvan Esso is attempting to send through the lyrics.
While the album highlights a noticeable increase in maturity and dimension from the mellowness of the first album, the delivery borders on sloppy and unfocused. Close, but no cigar for Sylvan Esso.
Well done.
Enjoyed reading the review even though I have never heard of “What Now”.