Sharon Van Etten's gaze as she looks out from her album cover is quietly fierce. Not in a Tyra Banks kind of way, but in a "no one is going to shake me any more" kind of way. And it's a sentiment echoed by the 12 tracks on the New Yorker's third album Tramp. Her debut Because I Was in Love (2009) and the follow up Epic (2010), both reflect the effect of an abusive ex who would break her instruments and demean her efforts. Heartbreakingly beautiful and wounded, but surprisingly confident, both albums mark a progression, and Tramp continues in this vein, though still dealing with trials of the heart.
Public attention was captured when Bon Iver's Justin Vernon and The National's Aaron Dessner covered Love More from Epic at a festival, and Dessner has produced Tramp. That might sound like indie name-dropping, but Van Etten is in their league with her bluesy rock tinged with folk and a certain torch singer sensibility, her voice embedded in the swaying strum of her guitar. A few tracks feel a touch overloaded with instrumentation, but she has a Cat Power-like soulful strength in her delivery that burns with determination.
Give Out, which is just her voice supported by guitars, and subtle drums is a highlight, while In Line has a lovely Mazzy Star-esque sway, and there's much to remind of local star Tiny Ruins on several tracks - especially on the gentle Ask.
Stars: 4/5
Verdict: Melancholic and triumphant blues rock torch songs
