In a vein thematically similar to her past work, though leaning into synth-driven, anthemic, indie rock, Sharon Van Etten’s two currently released songs from her upcoming sixth album, Remind Me Tomorrow, indicate a new energy.
“Jupiter 4,” obviously named after the synth it finds inspiration in, despite its packaging, compliments Van Etten’s vocal gloom. The melancholic essence in her acoustic guitar work loses no purpose in what resembles a 1980s shoegaze remake.
“Comeback Kid” is underlain with droning synths, but plays out with a relatively upbeat rhythm and optimistic lyricism; something out of character for Van Etten.
Though coming to prominence as a singer-songwriter, Van Etten’s experimentation with musicality now lends to a greater emphasis on itself, but not so much a shift toward it, leaving something behind, as it is an inclusion of everything Van Etten has worked on.
And with this, the rest of the the album’s overall mood remains to be seen.
