What is the best Sharon Van Etten album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Tramp" (2012). It's the most representative of what makes Sharon Van Etten worth hearing.

What are the best Sharon Van Etten albums?

The essential Sharon Van Etten albums include "Because I Was in Love" (2009), "Epic" (2010), "Tramp" (2012), "Are We There" (2014) and "Remind Me Tomorrow" (2019).

How many albums does Sharon Van Etten have?

Sharon Van Etten has 14 releases in their discography, including 9 albums and 5 EPs.

Photo: Erin Mc · CC BY 2.0

Sharon Van Etten

Q: Who is Sharon Van Etten for?

If you're into indie folk, Sharon Van Etten is worth your time. Her music pulses with a rhythmic tension that balances haunting melodies against a backdrop of layered instrumentation, creating an atmosphere both intimate and expansive.

Her music pulses with a rhythmic tension that balances haunting melodies against a backdrop of layered instrumentation, creating an atmosphere both intimate and expansive.

indie folk

United States

Read about Sharon Van Etten on Bookshop

Start here

The album

Tramp (2012)

Captures her signature sound with a blend of haunting melodies and layered instrumentation, making it an accessible introduction to her style.

The song

“Seventeen” from Remind Me Tomorrow

Immediate hook that introduces her rhythmic tension and emotional depth, showcasing her unique blend of indie folk and pop.

See the full guide

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"Warsaw" — from Tramp (2012)

establishes the sonic palette early
2

"I Told You Everything" — from Remind Me Tomorrow (2019)

establishes the sonic palette early
3

"A Crime" — from Epic (2010)

establishes the sonic palette early
4

"I Wish I Knew" — from Because I Was in Love (2009)

establishes the sonic palette early
5

"Afraid of Nothing" — from Are We There (2014)

establishes the sonic palette early
6

"Darkness Fades" — from We've Been Going About This All Wrong (2022)

establishes the sonic palette early

About Sharon Van Etten

Sharon Van Etten has carved out a vital space in contemporary music, where raw emotion and introspective narratives resonate deeply with listeners.

Her ability to articulate the complexities of love, loss, and personal growth has not only shaped her own artistic identity but has also influenced a generation of songwriters who seek to capture authenticity in their storytelling. In a landscape often cluttered with polished production, her unfiltered sound offers solace and understanding, bridging the gap between personal experience and universal themes. Van Etten's approach to songwriting is marked by an intimate yet expansive quality, as she draws from her own life while inviting listeners into her world. She often collaborates with other artists, drawing on diverse influences that enhance her sonic palette without overshadowing her core voice. This collaborative spirit allows her to explore new textures and dynamics within her music while maintaining a sense of coherence that feels distinctly hers. Her lyrics frequently delve into the intricacies of relationships and self-discovery, blending vivid imagery with a candid tone that oscillates between vulnerability and strength. Through impressionistic storytelling, she captures fleeting moments of clarity amidst emotional turbulence, often employing a blend of irony and sincerity that invites reflection rather than mere observation.

9 studio albums· 14 total releases· 1 decade· United States