Coming out of the gloom like a 6am train, Sharon Van Etten’s
Tramp is an often bleak, cold shining star. Although many of the songs exude a sadness
that is both pure and stark, hope and happiness emerge like sunlight after a
storm.
The third record by the New York singer, Tramp lives up to
the title as its opening salvo projects a lone figure in a stark landscape. Van
Etten’s vocals are fragile and beautiful, a hollow cry which is dwarfed by the dark,
suffocating production accompanied by raw guitars. Serpents in particular is a
scratchy, barren number that summons the nightmarish features of serpents amid
Foo Fighters-style strumming.
Leonard is a straight-up love song carried by delicate,
heartfelt vocals, while In Line shuffles to a waltzing beat amid a drenched
vocal harmony. We Are Fine has a pretty eukelele melody, accompanied by a
walking piano line and strolling percussion. Many emotions are conjured in the
album’s duration: anguish, sorrow, hope, relaxation, serenity. Everything is
covered here, but these feelings are covered chronologically. Negativity pervades
the first few tracks but by the closer Joke or a Lie things are brighter. The final
track is an ethereal gem, a kaleidoscope of colour with a rich string
accompaniment.
Although this stark outing will not be to everyone’s taste,
it is an accomplished work with rich vocals and deep songwriting. Good for
peaceful early morning listening over a cup of coffee.
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