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Carolina, Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn's debut LP asĀ Sylvan Esso arrived in 2014 at the juncture of pop andĀ experimental. Even now, years later, the LP remains anĀ urgent and fitting introduction to a push-and-pull that wouldĀ go on to inform the duo's sound - a thoughtful headinessĀ that also wants you to get out on the dance floor. A blend ofĀ analog and digital, Meath and Sanborn were twoĀ unexpected puzzle pieces fitting together with singularĀ ease, producing a ten-track LP that was both minimalist andĀ shimmering, with dark undulations rippling beneath theĀ synthy-surface and crystalline quality of Meath's voice.Ā Before all of the international touring and festival headliningĀ and critical acclaim and Grammy nominations, Sylvan EssoĀ was just a shot-in-the dark of musical chemistry gone right.Ā The original album bio for the self-titled presciently sets theĀ stage for the thesis that has gone on to guide Meath andĀ Sanborn's writing since then: "a collection of vividĀ addictions concerning suffering and love, darkness andĀ deliverance" arriving as "a necessary pop balm, an albumĀ stuffed with songs that don't suffer the longstandingĀ complications of that term." And so, even as the bandĀ continues to evolve and becomes amorphous, there's stillĀ that argument about what pop can be at it's core. This is justĀ the beginning of that conversation captured on tape.Ā In honor of the record's ten year anniversary, NorthĀ Carolina-based indie label Psychic Hotline will release aĀ deluxe reissue, complete with previously unreleasedĀ material. Featuring essential singles "Coffee", "Hey Mami,"Ā and "H.S.K.T.", the expanded edition also includes remixesĀ from J Rocc, Rick Wade, Helado Negro, Dntel, and more.Ā The deluxe 2LP package sports an all-over foil inversion ofĀ the original album's iconic foil "SE" logo.
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