Van Etten, Sharon / Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory
Album: Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory   Collection:A-File
Artist:Van Etten, Sharon   Added:Feb 2025
Label:Jagjaguwar  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2025-02-22 Pull Date: 2025-05-23
Week Ending: Apr 20 Apr 13 Apr 6 Mar 30 Mar 23 Mar 16 Mar 9 Mar 2
Airplays: 2 4 3 1 1 1 4 2

Recent Airplay
1. Apr 18, 2025: KZSU Time Traveler
Trouble
4. Apr 10, 2025: Almost Famous
I Can't Imagine (Why You Feel This Way)
2. Apr 12, 2025: Music Casserole
Live Forever
5. Apr 04, 2025: Hanging in the Boneyard
I Can't Imagine (Why You Feel This Way)
3. Apr 11, 2025: KZSU Time Traveler
Idiot Box
6. Apr 04, 2025: KZSU Time Traveler
Trouble

Album Review
Francis D
Reviewed 2025-02-18
“Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory” Sharon Van Etten
7th studio album for the New York-based singer-songwriter — her first as part of a full band assembled for this project. While retaining the drama she has always provided in her vocals, Van Etten has added the layers of a full band integrated into her arrangements. The tracks incorporate synths in large measure along with standard rock instrumentation — with Van Etten’s vocals soaring self-assuredly over the top. RIYL: Angel Olsen, Cat Power, Kate Bush, Marissa Nadler.
— Francis

Highly recommended: 2, 4, 8, 10, 3, 6. FCCs on original tracks 8 and 10 have been substituted with clean edits.

1. (5:40) Live Forever — Starts with pulsing synth arpeggios and cracking snare drum. Builds into a soaring anthem. Van Etten’s crystalline vocals ask, “Who wants to live forever?” and ultimately answer, “It doesn’t matter.”
2. (4:08) Afterlife — Cinematic lead single. Dancing, jittery synths resonate over a steady beat, busy bassline, handclaps and big harmonized vocals. ****
3. (4:10) Idiot Box — Very New Wave. Almost sounds like a New Order track with percolating synths and Van Etten’s robust vocals sung and at times shouted. ***
4. (5:00) Trouble — Devra Hoff’s bass delivers a mesmerizing groove for the atmospheric synths and Van Etten’s captivating, airy vocals. ****
5. (2:47) Indio — Energetic dream pop with Van Etten’s vocals reaching into falsettos.
6. (3:07) I Can’t Imagine (Why You Feel This Way) — Confident rock and roll strut. Splashes of shimmering synths, tasty guitar riffs and bouncy bass line almost take the tune into disco territory. ***
7. (4:25) Somethin’ Ain’t Right — Standard rock rhythm with a steady backbeat and sparkling synths. Hypnotic.
8. (3:48) Southern Life (What It Must Be Like) (Clean Edit) — Stadium-sized goth rock. Van Etten’s sludgy vocals drone. Her band takes the driver’s seat in creating this departure from her previous sound. ****
9. (6:14) Fading Beauty — Feathery and light. Fragile vocals float above mournful, chime-y keys amid the steady throb of a low growling bottom.
10. (6:30) I Want You Here (Clean Edit) — Big closer. Starts with soft anticipation before growing into a sprawling anthem with Van Etten’s bold vocals providing a grand finale. ***
11. (3:48) Southern Life (What It Must Be Like) (Unedited) — FCC: fucking (twice) — Unedited version of track 8.
12. (6:30) I Want You Here (Unedited) — FCC: fuck — Unedited version of track 10.

Track Listing
1. Live Forever   7. Somethin' Ain't Right
2. Afterlife   8. Southern Life (What It Must Be Like) (Clean Edit)
3. Idiot Box   9. Fading Beauty
4. Trouble   10. I Want You Here (Clean Edit)
5. Indio   11. Southern Life (What It Must Be Like) (Unedited)
6. I Can't Imagine (Why You Feel This Way)   12. I Want You Here (Unedited)