Sharon Van Etten has just dished out the first state of her February-due third album, Tramp. And, lord, does she sound rockin'.
Backed by an all-star indie-rock band including Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner, Doveman's Thomas Bartlett, The Walkmen's Matt Barrick, and the Dessner brothers of The National (the latter whom rolled tape and lovingly tended to Tramp), "Serpents" finds Van Etten hissing and spitting over layers of coiling guitar-work and bethumped drums.
There's undoubted anger in etched into Van Etten's vocal; edge palpable as she carols —in her glorious warble— of the "serpents in [her] mind." After two LPs whose lyrics reveled solely in the feelings of being trapped in a destructive, abusive relationship, here the songsmith has found emancipation ("everything changes!"), increased distance, and pissed-off-perspective; her venom being spat back at the human with whom she was once in love.
"You enjoy sucking on dreams," Van Etten snarls, "I had a thought you would take me seriously/listen up!" Listen up, indeed; be you ex-boyfriends or new listeners. Hopefully, it's not merely the addition of rock guitars and members of The National that will make people take Sharon seriously. She's been this good for years, now.
Sharon Van Etten, "Serpents"
Photo © Dusdin Condren
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