You wouldn’t expect an electro-pop duo whose breakthrough single titled “Hey Mami” would have a penchant for ethereal, glittering layers of urgent catharsis, but Sylvan Esso has the paradox down to a science.
Their sophomore record What Now, a cohesive and grounded collection, dropped earlier this year. It includes the upbeat and pleasantly dismal single “Die Young,” a song that encapsulates their beautifully danceable crisis with a crisp pop roundness. Challenging the confines of electro-pop (synth here, emotional disconnect there.) Sylvan Esso may just be getting started but they’re winning the race.
Sylvan Esso performs on Sunday, Sept. 17 at the Crofoot, 1 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac. Doors open at 7 p.m., tickets are available via StubHub. For more info call 248-858-9333 or go to thecrofoot.com.
This article appears in Sep 6-12, 2017.