the album, which is the culmination of 14 months of scattered recording sessions with the national's aaron dessner, contains as much striking rock as pious, minimal beauty; it can be as emotionally combative as it can sultry. contributions from matt barrick (the walkmen), thomas bartlett (aka doveman), zach condon (beirut), jenn wasner (wye oak), julianna barwick, and dessner himself add a glowing sheen to the already substantial offering. the resulting album is an assured and strident one, and 'tramp' showcases an artist in control of her powers, incorporating vivid arrangements and instrumentation into the songwriting. it is a startling collection, filled with as much defiant rock (the precise venom of 'serpents'), as pious, minimal beauty (the breathtaking 'kevin's and 'joke or a lie'). there are declarative hymns (in the earnest solemnity of 'all i can'), and remarkably sultry numbers (as in 'magic chords').rough trade east in-store - sharon van etten - wednesday 29th february, 7pm