Is Are We There a good place to start with Sharon Van Etten?

Yes, Are We There is recommended as a starting point for new Sharon Van Etten listeners. Ethereal melodies intertwine with deeply personal lyrics, creating a hauntingly intimate exploration of love and loss. Released in 2014, Are We There was Sharon Van Etten's third studio album, following her critically acclaimed record, Tramp. At this point in her career, she had solidified her presence in the indie music scene and began to experiment more with production and instrumentation, showcasing her growth as both a songwriter and artist.

Who is Are We There for?

Are We There works well if you're into steady reflective emotional journey, introspective melodies for quiet moments and haunting vocals evoke vulnerability.

How many songs are on Are We There?

Are We There has 11 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

Are We There

Sharon Van Etten · 2014

47 min · 11 tracks · pop music

Ethereal melodies intertwine with deeply personal lyrics, creating a hauntingly intimate exploration of love and loss.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Your Love Is Killing Me — This track stands out for its poignant vulnerability, blending haunting melodies with lyrics that grapple with toxic love and longing.
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Afraid of Nothing Start here — Opening the album, this song sets the tone with its atmospheric soundscape and themes of uncertainty that permeate throughout the record.
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Every Time the Sun Comes Up — Closing the album, this track encapsulates a sense of quiet resilience amid despair, perfectly balancing melancholy with hope.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album combines intimate songwriting with strong production choices, creating a cohesive emotional journey.

What we noticed

The first three tracks build a gradual intensity, with layered instrumentation that peaks in emotional weight by track four.
The last two tracks slow the tempo significantly, allowing for a reflective conclusion that feels distinct from the earlier material.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady reflective emotional journey
introspective melodies for quiet moments
haunting vocals evoke vulnerability
suitable for late-night solitude

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy party tracks
prefer instant gratification music

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Received widespread acclaim and showcased her artistic evolution.
Themes: toxic love· atmospheric uncertainty· quiet resilience
Career context: Released in 2014, Are We There was Sharon Van Etten's third studio album, following her critically acclaimed record, Tramp. At this point in her career, she had solidified her presence in the indie music scene and began to experiment more with production and instrumentation, showcasing her growth as both a songwriter and artist.
Stylistic neighbors: Julien Baker· Phoebe Bridgers· Lucy Dacus