Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory

Jagjaguwar

Feb 06, 2025 Web Exclusive By Kyle Mullin

Sharon Van Etten’s first album written with her backing band, The Attachment Theory, is a triumph on many fronts. For one, many of this eponymous LP’s early tracks are immersively atmospheric, which is all the more impressive because of their masterful minimalism. Openers “Live Forever” and “Afterlife” both begin with straightforward key notes and similarly direct lyricism from Van Etten. Those beginnings are so spare, they’re haunting. When the band kicks in partway through the runtime the pace thrillingly picks up. That especially suits “Afterlife,” because it has more of a lyrical narrative arc, where Van Etten fantasizes beyond “til death do us part” cliches to wonder if she’ll meet her muse again after they pass on, and what they’ll have to say about it all. Not since Kate Bush has an artist penned such eerily atmospheric songs that will wrap you up in their inviting, rhythmically misty wisps.

Effective as those stripped down opening songs are, the band’s range is revealed to be all the more impressively vast on Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory’s later tracks. This is not only true of “Idiot Box,” on which the rhythm section swiftly tumbles out as Van Etten bellows an equally vigorous chorus about switching off our screens and venturing out in the real world. “Indio” has an even more propulsive rhythm that Van Etten thrillingly keeps pace with, sounding almost like a post-punk singer. Best of all: “I Can’t Imagine (Why You Feel This Way).” Its rhythm is irresistibly funky, and over the groove Van Etten speak-sings like the indie rock lovechild of Debbie Harry and David Byrne.

Indeed, from the enveloping and moody opening tracks to the eclectic midsection, Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory stands out for both its depth and breadth. (www.sharonvanetten.com)

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