SYLVAN ESSO RELEASE BRAND NEW SINGLE "PARAD(w/m)E"

January 12, 2018

Photo Credit: Lindsey Kennedy and Meow Wolf

Hot off the back of their nomination for Best Dance/Electronic album at the GRAMMY®s, Sylvan Esso reveal their brand new single "PARAD(w/m)E." Click HERE to listen to it. The band performed the single for the first time on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night, which included backup vocals from Amber Coffman and Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner; click HERE to watch it. "PARAD(w/m)E" follows their critically acclaimed second album What Now which was released on Loma Vista Records last year.

With a pulsating synth arrangement juxtaposed with Amelia's cut-glass vocals, "PARAD(w/m)E" is an intoxicating blend of musical influences and astute lyricism, showcasing Sylvan Esso at the top of their game. With a GRAMMY nomination now under their belts, the band continue to evolve sonically and lyrically, and position themselves at the helm of pioneering pop.

The band are continuing to add dates to their 2018 tour, which includes their largest headlining shows to date - in July at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and Berkeley, Red Rock Amphitheater and more. All tour dates below.

Sylvan Esso's second album, What Now, is the sound of a band truly fulfilling the potential and promise of their debut. Everything has evolved - the production is bolder, the vocals are more intense, the melodies are more irresistible, and the songs shine that much brighter. However, it is also a record that was made in 2016 - which means it is inherently grappling with the chaos of a country coming undone, the voices of two people nestled in studios around the country who were bemused by what they looked out and saw. It's an album that is both political and personal, and blurs the line between the two - What Now describes the inevitable low that comes after every high, fulfillment tempered by the knowledge that there is no clearly defined conclusion. It's a record about falling in love and learning that it won't save you; about the over sharing of information and the fine line between self-awareness and narcissism; about meeting one's own personal successes but feeling the fizzling embers of the afterglow rather than the roar of achievement; about the crushing realization that no progress can ever feel permanent. It is an album that finds its strength in its own duality. But at its core, What Now is an album of the finest songs this band has ever written- produced masterfully, sang fearlessly- to articulate our collective undercurrents of anxiety and joy.

Listen to "PARAD(w/m)E" on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon Music and Google Play.

Sylvan Esso Tour Dates
1/27/18 - Singapore, Singapore - Laneway Festival
1/29/18 - Auckland, NZ - Laneway Festival
1/31/18 - Melbourne, AU - Corner Hotel
2/02/18 - Adelaide, AU - Laneway Festival
2/03/18 - Melbourne, AU - Laneway Festival
2/04/18 - Sydney, AU - Laneway Festival
2/08/18 - Sydney, AU - Oxford Art Factory
2/10/18 - Brisbane, AU - Laneway Festival
2/11/18 - Fremantle, AU - Laneway Festival
2/13/18 - Honolulu, HI - The Republik
3/1-4/18 - Okeechobee, FL - Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival
3/4/18 - Punta Cana, DR - One Big Holiday
3/9-10/18 - New Orleans, LA - Buku Music & Arts Project
3/17/18 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
3/19/18 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall
3/20/18 - Dallas, TX - Bomb Factory
3/22/18 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
3/23/18 - Tempe, AZ - Innings Festival
3/24-25/18 - Houston, TX - In Bloom Music Festival
3/26/18 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom
3/27/18 - Des Moines, IA - Hoyt Sherman
3/29/18 - Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe
3/30/18 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
3/31/18 - North Adams, MA - MASS MoCA
4/02/18 - Portland, ME - State Theatre
4/03/18 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre
4/04/18 - Providence, RI - The Strand
4/06/18 - Richmond, VA - The National
4/07/18 - Knoxville, TN - Mill + Mine
5/27/18 London, UK - All Points East Festival
5/29/18 - Istanbul, Turkey - Salon IKSV
6/1-3/18 - New York, NY - Governors Ball
6/7-10/18 - Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
7/10/18 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
7/12/18 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre
7/13/18 - Troutdale, OR - Edgefield Amphitheatre
7/14/18 - Redmond, WA - Marymoor Amphitheatre
7/16/18 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory Concert House
7/17/18 - Ogden, UT - Ogden Amphitheater
7/18/18 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheater
7/20/18 - Minneapolis, MN - Surly Brewing Co.
7/21/18 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre
7/22/18 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre
7/23/18 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre
7/26/18 - Washington, DC - Anthem
7/27/18 - Philadelphia, PA - XPN Fest
7/28/18 - Boston, MA - Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
7/30/18 - Clifton Park, NY - Upstate Concert Hall
7/31/18 - Toronto, Canada - Danforth Music Hall
8/01/18 - Toronto, Canada - Danforth Music Hall
8/02/18 - Burlington, VT - The Green at Shelburne Museum

Music | My Morning Jacket | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | August 14 | Review and Photos

August 17, 2015

Red Rocks has always played host to some of the most epic performances we have ever seen. It seems customary that when a band plays here it saves its best effort for the world renowned venue. Most tours either start at Red Rocks or end there. My Morning Jacket has always played some of their most iconic sets here and Friday night was no different. With an almost three hour set the band ripped through some of their best hits that has come from the Kentucky band. With a few notable songs from their new album, Jim James and company captured the crowd from their opening number all the way through their final encore. You can almost sense a cult like following from the band similar to those who follow Phish and The Grateful Dead. With a southern alt-rock appeal to them the band conjures up a classical sound that distinguishes James's voice from any other. The band ripped through almost 30 songs on a perfect end of Summer night including hits such as "I'm Amazed," "Evil Urges," and "Mahgeetah". The concert itself was being streamed live to a world audience. Few bands have the swagger and confidence that MMJ brings to the table. It has been a staple of theirs for quite sometime. The band even brought out Brandi Carlile (who happened to be headlining her own solo show the next night) for "Wonderful(The Way I Fell)". James came out dressed in a colorful cap and customary sunglasses as he ripped through what seemed endless jam sessions that we are only accustomed to hearing as three minute album cuts. You can tell the band always feels at home when they play the majestic venue as James himself said that it is the most amazing place to be, we would have to agree.

Opening the festivities was one of our favorites Sylvan Esso. Although the pairing of them with MMJ was a bit unusual you can tell the duo from North Carolina made a few new fans. With their infectious dance numbers, you can't help yourself to dance and mimic the moves that you perform while in front of a mirror at home as you get ready to go out with your squad.

Setlist:

1. Wordless Chorus
2. Compound Fracture
3. Off the Record
4. Circuital
5. Believe (Nobody Knows)
6. Bermuda Highway
7. I’m Amazed
8. Evil Urges
9. Dondante / Lay Low
10. At Dawn
11. In Its Infancy (The Waterfall)
12. Gideon
13. Tropics (Erase Traces)
14. I think I’m Going to Hell
15. Spring (Among the Living)
16. Anytime
17. Steam Engine / Only Memories Remain / Steam Engine
18. Phone Went West
19. Mahgeetah

Encore:
20. Wonderful (The Way I Feel)
21. Victory Dance
22. Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 1
23. Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2
24. Highly Suspicious
25. Run Thru
26. One Big Holiday

Check out our slideshow: Robert Castro

Ultra5280's Best Albums of 2014

December 24, 2014

With so many great albums that came out this year it is always a task at hand trying to chose our favorites. This year was no different, we are fortunate to get to see as many shows as we do, as well as open our inboxes to early releases and exclusives. The great thing about our staff is that we each have our own unique bands that we love, thus making our lists an eclectic mix of great music. There were a few newcomers to the list as well as some established bands making great albums this year. A couple late additions from J. Cole and D'angelo that barely missed the cut stood out as well. Without further adieu, Ultra5280 presents the Best Albums of 2014. These are in no particular order. What were your favorites this year?