Sharon Van Etten has never been one for predictability. Sixteen years into her celebrated solo career, she’s done everything from recording indie heartbreak anthems to acting in television and earning a degree in psychology. Now, with her seventh album—and first full collaboration with her band, The Attachment Theory—Van Etten leans into post-punk, offering a introspective yet danceable take on love, loss, and life in the ever-changing digital age.
Released under the label Jagjaguwar and earning a solid 7.8 from Pitchfork, the album plays like a fever dream of ‘80s influences. “Idiot Box” borrows a riff from New Order, while “Somethin’ Ain’t Right” features lyrics from the Talking Heads. In the video for “Afterlife,” Van Etten channels full goth grandeur, conjuring Siouxsie Sioux in both aesthetic and attitude. These all offer a topical glimpse into the record’s larger theme of clinging to love amid chaos, reflecting a world teetering on the brink.
Van Etten’s decision to form a band came from a self-proclaimed restlessness—she grew tired of her own voice while rehearsing for her 2022 tour and invited her bandmates to “just jam.” This resulted in a distinct mix of punk guitar riffs, infectious grooves, and some of Van Etten’s most unprecedented vocal choices, from deadpan murmurs to ghostly falsettos.
Now, Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory are bringing their exciting new sound to DC’s legendary 9:30 Club on April 28 at 7 PM. This is a chance to witness them at a unique turning point in their career—don’t miss it!
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