Sylvan Esso have returned with a track that embraces chaos rather than attempting to tame it. Released via the duo’s own Psychic Hotline label, new single ‘Hot Slob’ marks Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn’s first new music of 2026 and signals the beginning of an expansive new chapter for the North Carolina outfit.
Built around a spirit of liberation and playful irreverence, ‘Hot Slob’ finds Sylvan Esso pushing their sound into more unruly territory. Equal parts dancefloor release and existential reckoning, the track balances biting humour with a self-awareness that has long sat at the heart of the pair’s songwriting.
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Recorded at the band’s Betty’s studio in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, ‘Hot Slob’ expands Sylvan Esso’s collaborative universe. Alongside Meath’s vocals and Sanborn’s multi-instrumental work, the track features contributions from drummer TJ Maiani, whose credits include Weyes Blood and Neneh Cherry, as well as Jenn Wasner of Flock of Dimes and Bon Iver, who adds bass, guitar and vocals.
The release follows the duo’s decision to bring their music fully under their own control through Psychic Hotline, a move that has afforded them greater independence and creative freedom. That philosophy runs throughout ‘Hot Slob’, a song that revels in imperfection and refuses to smooth over life’s contradictions.
More new music is expected throughout the northern summer, while Sylvan Esso are also preparing to unveil the most ambitious incarnation of their live show to date. Upcoming plans include a residency in Los Angeles, a run of North American performances and the return of their Good Moon festival, which will take over four venues across their hometown of Durham, North Carolina in October.
