Sharon Van Etten is going all-in with her band, the Attachment Theory. During recent tour rehearsals, the musician found herself initiating jam sessions with her longtime band — Jorge Balbi, Devra Hoff, and Teeny Lieberson — for the first time. What emerged from their collaborative flow is Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory, their debut album as a band, out Feb. 7.
The 10-track album began with two songs from those sessions, “I Can’t Imagine (Why You Feel This Way)” and “Southern Life (What It Must Be Like).” But the band has released the lead single “Afterlife” as the first preview of the record. “Will you see me in the afterlife?/Will you tell me what you think it’s like?” Van Etten asks on the synth-led song. “Come and tell me it’ll be all right?/Will I see you in the afterlife?”
“Afterlife” arrives with a black-and-white video directed by Susu Laroche. The clip is built around footage from Van Etten and the Attachment Theory’s recent live performances in London at the 100 Club.
Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory was made in collaboration with producer Marta Salogni, who impressed Van Etten with an adventurous approach and through “embracing the darkness and the unique sounds we had honed in the writing process,” the singer-songwriter shared in a statement.
Of the writing process, she added: “Sometimes it’s exciting, sometimes it’s scary, sometimes you feel stuck. It’s like every day feels a little different — just being at peace with whatever you’re feeling and whoever you are and how you relate to people in that moment. If I can just keep a sense of openness while knowing that my feelings change every day, that is all I can do right now. That and try to be the best person I can be while letting other people be who they are and not taking it personally and just being. I’m not there, but I’m trying to be there every day.”
After Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory arrives in February, the band will embark on a brief tour of Europe. Kicking off Feb. 28, the 10-date tour includes stops in Oslo, Stockhold, Copenhagen, Berlin, Paris, Antwerp, Amsterdam, London, Manchester, and Glasgow. Nabihah Iqbal will join as special guest.
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Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory Track List:
1. “Live Forever”
2. “Afterlife”
3. “Idiot Box”
4. “Trouble”
5. “Indio”
6. “I Can’t Imagine (Why You Feel This Way)”
7. “Somethin’ Ain’t Right”
8. “Southern Life (What It Must Be Like)”
9. “Fading Beauty”
10. “I Want You Here”
