What makes Sylva by Snarky Puppy notable?

Sylva received critical acclaim and was recognized for its innovative blend of genres, debuting at number one on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. It also featured a unique collaboration with the Metropole Orkest, emphasizing the band's commitment to orchestral arrangements within jazz contexts. Released in 2015, Sylva is Snarky Puppy's first studio album after winning a Grammy for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in 2014. The album features a large ensemble cast, showcasing the band’s growth and evolution as they continued to push the boundaries of jazz fusion.

Sylva works well if you're into dynamic progression with resolution, wave-like pacing for reflection and cinematic soundscapes for immersion.

How many songs are on Sylva?

Sylva has 13 tracks, running approximately 114 minutes.

Sylva

Snarky Puppy · 2015

114 min · 13 tracks · jazz

A vibrant tapestry of jazz fusion intertwining complex rhythms, rich melodies, and expansive improvisations that evoke a cinematic journey.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Curtain — This track stands out with its sweeping orchestral arrangement that builds into an explosive climax, encapsulating the album's ambitious vision.
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Atchafalaya — With its infectious groove and intricate interplay between instruments, this track highlights the band's ability to fuse traditional jazz elements with modern influences.
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Flight — The ethereal quality and dynamic shifts throughout this piece exemplify Snarky Puppy’s knack for storytelling through music, making it a memorable experience.
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Sintra — Opening the album with a delicate yet complex melody, this track sets the thematic tone and exhibits the band's technical prowess right from the start.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album showcases complex arrangements and strong performances, making it a notable entry in contemporary jazz.

What we noticed

The album features a large ensemble with multiple sections, often layering brass and strings over intricate rhythms.
Several tracks incorporate extended improvisational segments that shift dynamics and tempo throughout their duration.
The first half of the album maintains a more upbeat tempo, while the latter half introduces slower, more contemplative pieces.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic progression with resolution
wave-like pacing for reflection
cinematic soundscapes for immersion
patient builds and releases
ideal for focused listening

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer standalone tracks only

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2015, Sylva is Snarky Puppy's first studio album after winning a Grammy for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in 2014. The album features a large ensemble cast, showcasing the band’s growth and evolution as they continued to push the boundaries of jazz fusion.
Stylistic neighbors: GoGo Penguin· Hiatus Kaiyote· The Bad Plus