Sharon Van Etten’s music has always exuded both feelings of escape and imprisonment. Over three full-lengths and a mini-album, she’s split her time covering her horrid past and looking ahead at what the future might bring. And she’s done it all with an ounce hope and a lot of raw detail.
Yet there are few better things in life than a Sharon Van Etten song. Two of them happen to be multiple Sharon Van Etten songs and free shows, and luckily for us her performance Thursday night at the Memorial Union Terrace fits both of those criteria. If you’re not already familiar with Sharon’s tunes, here are five tracks that’ll get you prepped for what’s sure to be a compelling set.
“A Crime”
“A Crime” was the track that got me on the Van Etten Express. It shows the singer-songwriter in her most bare state, with just an acoustic to accompany her cutting vocals. Like the rest of epic., it’s simple—but all the more powerful for it.
“One Day”
“One Day” is a stroll through the park compared to most of Sharon’s work. From its guitar rhythm to its drum pattern, it’s breezy and laidback. Yes, there’s some unavoidable sadness in her lyrics, but one day she knows that things could be pretty damn great.
“Give Out”
“Give Out” is technically the second track on 2012’s Tramp but if the album had a mission statement, “Give Out” would surely be it. With just her guitar and some sparse percussion, Sharon mourns her inability to escape: whether she leaves the city or she stays, the reason is beyond her reach. Shout out to Strand of Oaks for name-dropping this one on the title track of his superb 2014 release, Heal.
“We Are Fine”
When Beirut’s Zach Condon’s vocals come in on “We Are Fine” they sound out of place; Sharon’s songs ring as personal confessions, as singularly hers. But after a moment’s adjustment it becomes clear that Condon’s vocal style complements Van Etten’s quite nicely—and does just the trick to turn this simple song into something both heartbreaking and joyous.
“Taking Chances”
“Taking Chances” shows Sharon making another step forward as she adds elements of synthesizers and electronic drums to her instrumental pallet. As the opener on her self-produced Are We There, “Taking Chances” functions as a great peak into where her musical ventures may (or may not) be headed.