7/10

In 2019, Sharon Van Etten released her dazzling studio LP 'Remind Me Tomorrow', a record that saw her ditch the largely folk-inspired aesthetic she had built over the years for something that focused more on the electronic side to her sound. Despite its sharp veer, it was received as one of her most accomplished releases to date, and many thought we were seeing the start of something new from the artist. But it has been a tough few years for many and so she now comes back with 'We've Been Going About This All Wrong', an album that sees her rediscover her true self.

Written, produced and recorded at her home studio in Los Angeles, 'We've Been Going About This All Wrong' is, like so many, the product of the pandemic. Opting for a sombre and sometimes isolated feel to her music, she has returned to the raw and spiritual aesthetic of her infancy, but done in an almost reflective guise. Rather than looking to return to the safe and secure sound of her origins for her own comfort, she does so through a more matured eye, as she builds a broad and adventurous array of atmospheric offerings that look to continue her distinct direction with passion and flair.

While 'Remind Me Tomorrow' certainly brought a new edge to what she had explored before, 'We've Been Going About This All Wrong' is the Sharon Van Etten that we all know and admire. Not looking to break down any barriers here, but still makes for a wildly enjoyable and ambitious ride throughout.