It could be easy to label Sharon Van Etten a moody singer-songwriter — she concisely conveys the way a lover can affect your entire life’s outcome in standout "Give Out" with the line “You’re the reason why I’ll move to the city, or why I’ll need to leave.” But she also proves herself a songwriter capable of conveying many moods across Tramp, which shifts from the dreamy "Kevin’s" to rocking "Serpents" or swaying, uplifting "Leonard" without missing a beat. Aided by tasteful production that layers warm reverb onto her throaty voice and guitar playing without caking it on too thickly, not to mention choice cameos, especially by Beirut in "We Are Fine," Tramp is the best summation yet of her talents, pulling her out of her shell for beautifully yearning and high-register vocals in songs like "In Line" while keeping the coolness of her husky voice and elusive persona intact.

Also available on LP.


Free download of "Serpents" by Sharon Van Etten.