ALBUM REVIEW: Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory – Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory
Photo Credit: Devin Oktar Yalkin
When New Jersey singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten released her debut album Because I Was In Love way back in 2009 she was in complete charge, but step forward to 2025 and her eighth album release is a collaborative effort with three other bands members: drummer Jorge Balbi; bassist Devra Hoff; and guitarist/synth player Teeny Lieberson all playing a big part. Van Etten describes the scene when rehearing for a tour in the desert: “For the first time in my life I asked the band if we could just jam. Words that have never come out of my mouth – ever!” Within an hour they had come up with two songs and, as they say, the rest is history.
Opening track Live Forever asks the question “Who wants to live forever?” It’s a synth-based song and the haunting vocals from Van Etten are a standout, reminding us at times of Florence Welsh. Afterlife is one of the early releases from the record and is sung at a slower pace. The chorus of this one is one of the highlights on the album, while Idiot Box brings the music back to life with a bass-led opening from Hoff, raising the bpm helping to awaken the listener after the first two songs of dreamy synth-pop. This track is much more alive and there’s a lot happening – the guitar riff running throughout the song is still playing in our head, we can’t recommend it enough.
Another synth-led track and one to chill out to is Trouble, with Van Etten’s dreamy vocals very enjoyable – this is quickly turning into an album that would sit well with a daily yoga and meditation routine! The wheel turns a little quicker for Indio, the thumping basslines will pound through your headphones. These new tracks are going to sound great in a live setting. I Can’t Imagine (Why You Feel This Way) leans more towards dance, we are also hearing Depeche Mode influences throughout the song, while Somethin’ Ain’t Right works really well collectively. The opening synth is right from the OMD style, mixing well alongside the vocals, guitar and bass. Southern Life (What It Must Be Like) is another of the early releases. It sounds a little too overproduced in comparison to the other songs on the album and just doesn’t provoke the same feelings as the other tracks do. Have a listen yourself though, you may perceive it differently.
As we move towards the end of the record the last two tracks are Fading Beauty and I Want You Here, as Lieberson moves onto the piano for a very slow number with, you guessed it, a constant synth rhythm in the backdrop. It’s not very upbeat though in comparison to the early ones on the album. The drum work from Balbi are the standout on I Want You Here, working well alongside Van Etten’s vocals.
Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory are currently on tour in the USA, before heading to UK and European shores over the summer.
8/10
Standout Tracks: Afterlife, Idiot Box, Somethin’ Ain’t Right
For Fans Of: Waxahatchee, Laura Marling, Courtney Barnett
Written by: Alan Brown
