Critiques CD: Sharon Van Etten | Tramp

Sharon Van Etten’s first record for the unparalleled Jagjaguwar is a logical and natural progression of the spare sounds and songs heard on her first two albums, a gradual building of confidence, instrumentation and songsmith skills. Taking cues from her musical past – a gorgeous mash of acoustic folk and pop confessionals, cemented by an angel’s vocal hymns – Van Etten opens her heart and soul, giving us a glimpse of an artist completely dedicated to her craft, warts and all. What we further hear is a greater reliance on an increasingly complex and louder urgency, particularly exemplified by lead single “Serpents”, a guest-filled rocker that makes you think twice. February 22^nd at Il Motore.