Sharon Van Etten
Tramp
Jagjaguwar
Finding fans and friends in Justin Vernon of Bon Iver (Vernon has performed with Van Etten in the past), Zach Condon of Beirut, and Aaron Dessner of The National, Sharon Van Etten has recruited an all-star cast for her new album, Tramp. A mix of heartfelt Folk and Alt-rock tracks, Tramp is a musical heavyweight and will be sure to help Van Ettenβs rise to fame β Yeah, Iβm calling it.
For those of you who know Van Etten by name only, donβt worry, I used to be one of you. Her debut record, Because I Was In Love (2009), was highly regarded, filled with sparse and passionate acoustic tracks. In a bit of a contrast, her third album, Tramp, keeps the passion alive but weaves the musical stylings in and out between full-band numbers and quiet, simple tracks. Songs like the intricate βSerpentsβ and the more folky βLeonardβ reflect this fuller sound.
Van Ettenβs sultry, quiet, and slurred voice catches you off-guard on first listen, but itβs when you dive deeper into her work that you understand that the lush vocal performance of Van Etten adds so much personality to these already personal and emotional songs.
Tramp is produced by Aaron Dessner (The National), who also lends his voice to the record. One of the albumβs highlights, βWe Are Fine,β features talented musical guest Zach Condon (Beirut). This is the sweetest of Trampβs 12 songs, beginning with the quiet strums of a ukulele and growing into a beautiful and rich Folk song.
With rare missteps throughout the record, Sharon Van Etten shouldnβt have to worry about what Tramp will do to her reputation. Sheβll be just fine.
β Laura Stanley
Album Review: Sharon Van Etten – Tramp
Laura Stanley