Sylvan Esso – No Rules Sandy

It could simply be a side effect of festival fever at the time of writing but Sylvan Esso's No Rules Sandy feels like a perfect audio microcosm of a summer weekend partying in a field somewhere. From the playful, nervous excitement of the first day (Moving, Look At Me, Didn't Care) to pure midnight joy (Echo Party, Alarm and aptly-title first single Sunburn) to hungover introspection (Your Reality, Coming Back to You) – and back again – this latest collection of synth-pop adventures from duo Nick Sanborn and Amelia Meath capably covers a broad range of emotions spent living in the moment.

Although this specific experience wasn't likely considered directly in its conception, the record appears to be born from a desire to tap into a similar energy. One of liberated joy and self-expression. Or as Meath recently put it: “It just feels like us. We’re not trying to fit into the mould, just happily being our freak selves." This shift of focus onto impulse and instinct suits the pair, and while it might not be pushing too far beyond its own boundaries, No Rules Sandy makes for an enjoyable and affecting listen, whatever the weather.

Listen to: Moving, Sunburn, Coming Back To You