Sharon Van Etten and the Attachment Theory’s self-titled album, released via Jagjaguwar, signals a striking shift in her musical journey. Known for a decade of emotionally resonant folk and indie rock, Van Etten takes a bolder, more experimental turn with this record. This evolution was sparked by an impromptu jam session during rehearsals for her 2022 tour, leading her to embrace a rawer sound alongside her band. “I truly wanted to let my guard down and allow them to enter my process,” Van Etten explains, highlighting the collaborative spirit that fuelled the album’s creation. The result is a collection of songs that are expansive, atmospheric, and more intense than anything she’s created before.
The album opens with the distinctive, electronic pulse of ‘Live Forever’, where Van Etten sings the repeated mantra, “Who wants to live forever,” over hypnotic synths by keyboardist Teeny Lieberson. The track builds slowly into a swirling soundscape, setting the tone for an album that’s as much about mood and texture as it is about lyrical depth.
In ‘Afterlife’, the lead single, Van Etten’s vocals shine as they float over rhythmic synth and build into a compelling chorus. The song is a dark, brooding piece that stems from her friendship with a fan who tragically passed away. “Will you tell me it’ll be alright?” she asks, a question that echoes throughout the album’s theme of searching for solace unknown.
‘Idiot Box’ introduces a New Order-inspired riff, weaving in an 80s influence that is present throughout the record. But ‘I Can’t Imagine (Why You Feel This Way)’ stands out for its darkly pulsating synths, punky vocals, and a jaunty Devra Hoff bassline. Written in the first jam session with the band it ignites the album’s deeper, more collaborative spirit, propelling Van Etten into uncharted sonic territory.
Yet, the album isn’t all about the dense, moody atmosphere; there are moments of floaty, ethereal beauty too. ‘Indio’ has a breezy guitar vibe reminiscent of Albert Hammond Jr., which complements Van Etten’s delicate vocals.
‘Fading Beauty’, the penultimate track, is softer and more tender, with lyrics that hang in the air like a fading memory: “The inherent beauty of light, the fading beauty of life.” It builds with subtlety, hinting at something greater, yet ultimately fades away, leaving you wishing it had ventured further.
The final track, ‘I Want You Here’, delivers an epic conclusion that stretches over six minutes. It showcases Van Etten’s signature, wailing vocals, which fans have come to love. A poignant love song, it repeats the title “I Want You Here,” followed by raw, evocative lines like “even when it hurts” and “What the fuck is it worth?”. It crescendos into an expansive instrumental finish, which is a fitting way to reinforce the introduction of ‘The Attachment Theory’.
Sharon Van Etten and the Attachment Theory represents a brave new step in Van Etten’s artistic evolution. The addition of The Attachment Theory is a refreshing shift, Sharon “wanted to honour the band and our connection by calling it something other than me, because it is no longer just me”. The album will surely shape the next stage of her career, offering a fresh, intriguing sonic palette to explore on stage, especially with her upcoming UK shows. It’s a compelling beginning to a new era—bold, exploratory, and at times, hauntingly beautiful.