Album Review: Sharon Van Etten - Are We There

With Are We There, Sharon Van Etten takes ingredients that could have easily become bland and indulgent, and makes sure they're never anything short of mesmerising. It washes over you in a way that soothes while still grabbing attention. The music is beautiful, but always well and truly in the background, letting the focus fall completely on Van Etten's voice. Even when the volume is turned up just a little with the addition of drums, bass and electric guitar, Are We There still sounds like a hazy dream, and that's what makes it so interesting.