Clarity of intention. Confusion… and emotional honesty. The beauty of allegories, metaphors and idioms. Deeply American song construction, referencing folk, rock, country, and gospel. Hooks, substance, power, maturity of the soul. Are We There, the fourth album by Sharon Van Etten, definitely pulled her out of the underground hipster circuit and placed her in a position of feminine leadership. The 30-year-old didn’t present herself as a visionary or propose any revolution in the form, but demanded attention regardless for her voice, her nimble fingerwork, her detailed arrangements, and her undeniable talent.
