May 26 street date. Certain musicians are magic. Their voices prick up the ears of those far afield, melt the hearts of those within earshot, and magnetize the attention of those souls fortunate enough to have a clear sightline. Sharon Van Etten is a singer/ songwriter who trades in that caliber of mysticism. What her heart bleeds her songs soak in and offer up to those throats in need of slaking. Sharon’s bane may be to feel too deeply, but her raw nerves, open heart and generous soul offer the rest of us a means to ease our own points of suffering. GREG WEEKS guests on electric guitar, organ and wood blocks.
May 26 street date. Certain musicians are magic. Their voices prick up the ears of those far afield, melt the hearts of those within earshot, and magnetize the attention of those souls fortunate enough to have a clear sightline. Sharon Van Etten is a singer/ songwriter who trades in that caliber of mysticism. What her heart bleeds her songs soak in and offer up to those throats in need of slaking. Sharon’s bane may be to feel too deeply, but her raw nerves, open heart and generous soul offer the rest of us a means to ease our own points of suffering. GREG WEEKS guests on electric guitar, organ and wood blocks.
Sept. 21 street date. 'Epic', Sharon Van Etten's second album, lays a romantic melancholy lining over the gravel and dirt of heartbreak, without one honest thought or feeling spared. She sings of betrayal, obsession, egotism and all the other emotions we hate in others and recognize in ourselves. Van Etten's grounded and clenched vocals convey the sense of hope - the notion that beauty can come out of the worst of circumstances. 'Epic' is indeed that beauty. Van Etten supplements guitar and vocals with drums, piano, lap steel and a trio of backing vocalists - Meg Baird (Espers), Cat Martino and Jessica Larrabee (She Keeps Bees) - for a fully realized album that astounds as it elucidates, disturbs as it soothes. The final track, "Love More", has already been covered live in a collaborative effort by Bon Iver and The National.
Please note new street date: June 18. Sharon Van Etten's career since the release of her second album, 2010's "epic", is well-known; critically lauded albums, films, and television shows have continually displayed her expanding artistry. Upon its release, "epic" laid a romantic melancholy over the gravel and dirt of heartbreak without one honest thought or feeling spared. Her songs covered betrayal, obsession, egotism, and all the other emotions disliked in others and recognize in oneself. Van Etten's grounded and clenched vocals conveyed a sense of hope - the notion that beauty can arise from the worst of circumstances. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this special album's release, and to acknowledge the convergence of Van Etten's present and past work, she asked fellow artists she admired to participate in an expanded reissue, where each artist would cover one different song from "epic" in their own style. Some are musicians Van Etten herself admired in her early days (Fiona Apple, Lucinda Williams, and Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon of Big Red Machine), some are peers (Courtney Barnett, IDLES), and others are part of a younger generation of innovators (Shamir, St. Panther). The resulting "epic Ten" is a double album featuring the original plus the new album of "epic" covers and reimagined artwork.
Please note new street date: June 18. Sharon Van Etten's career since the release of her second album, 2010's "epic", is well-known; critically lauded albums, films, and television shows have continually displayed her expanding artistry. Upon its release, "epic" laid a romantic melancholy over the gravel and dirt of heartbreak without one honest thought or feeling spared. Her songs covered betrayal, obsession, egotism, and all the other emotions disliked in others and recognize in oneself. Van Etten's grounded and clenched vocals conveyed a sense of hope - the notion that beauty can arise from the worst of circumstances. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this special album's release, and to acknowledge the convergence of Van Etten's present and past work, she asked fellow artists she admired to participate in an expanded reissue, where each artist would cover one different song from "epic" in their own style. Some are musicians Van Etten herself admired in her early days (Fiona Apple, Lucinda Williams, and Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon of Big Red Machine), some are peers (Courtney Barnett, IDLES), and others are part of a younger generation of innovators (Shamir, St. Panther). The resulting "epic Ten" is a double album featuring the original plus the new album of "epic" covers and reimagined artwork.
November 19 street date. Two Christmas tracks from Sharon Van Etten, both on (clear blue) vinyl for the first time. "Silent Night" was recorded in 2018 for the holiday short film "The Letter". "Blue Christmas" was originally recorded for the benefit album "Do You EAR What I Ear" in 2009. Limited edition.
May 6 street date. Sharon Van Etten has always been the kind of artist who helps people make sense of the world around them, and her sixth album, "We've Been Going About This All Wrong", concerns itself with how we feel, mourn, and reclaim our agency when we think the world - or at least, our world - might be falling apart. Van Etten creates a stunning meditation on how life's changes can be both terrifying and transformative. "We've Been Going About This All Wrong" articulates the beauty and power that can be rescued from our wreckages. There is darkness here but there is light too, and all of it is held together by Van Etten's uncanny ability to both pierce the hearts of her listeners and make them whole again. Things are not dark, she reminds us, only darkish.
May 6 street date. Sharon Van Etten has always been the kind of artist who helps people make sense of the world around them, and her sixth album, "We've Been Going About This All Wrong", concerns itself with how we feel, mourn, and reclaim our agency when we think the world - or at least, our world - might be falling apart. Van Etten creates a stunning meditation on how life's changes can be both terrifying and transformative. "We've Been Going About This All Wrong" articulates the beauty and power that can be rescued from our wreckages. There is darkness here but there is light too, and all of it is held together by Van Etten's uncanny ability to both pierce the hearts of her listeners and make them whole again. Things are not dark, she reminds us, only darkish.
May 6 street date. Sharon Van Etten has always been the kind of artist who helps people make sense of the world around them, and her sixth album, "We've Been Going About This All Wrong", concerns itself with how we feel, mourn, and reclaim our agency when we think the world - or at least, our world - might be falling apart. Van Etten creates a stunning meditation on how life's changes can be both terrifying and transformative. "We've Been Going About This All Wrong" articulates the beauty and power that can be rescued from our wreckages. There is darkness here but there is light too, and all of it is held together by Van Etten's uncanny ability to both pierce the hearts of her listeners and make them whole again. Things are not dark, she reminds us, only darkish.
May 6 street date. Sharon Van Etten has always been the kind of artist who helps people make sense of the world around them, and her sixth album, "We've Been Going About This All Wrong", concerns itself with how we feel, mourn, and reclaim our agency when we think the world - or at least, our world - might be falling apart. Van Etten creates a stunning meditation on how life's changes can be both terrifying and transformative. "We've Been Going About This All Wrong" articulates the beauty and power that can be rescued from our wreckages. There is darkness here but there is light too, and all of it is held together by Van Etten's uncanny ability to both pierce the hearts of her listeners and make them whole again. Things are not dark, she reminds us, only darkish.