Last year, Sharon Van Etten and Angel Olsen released the powerful one-off "Like I Used To," which became our favorite track from 2021. Then Van Etten shared the news that we'd be able to witness that track's power in person, announcing a co-headlining tour with Olsen and Julien Baker. And it seems there's no shortage of good news from the powerhouse rock singer: Today, Van Etten shared a new-wavey single called "Porta."
"Porta" follows the expansive, cosmic sound that Van Etten solidified on 2019's Remind Me Tomorrow. It was co-produced with Daniel Knowles, who worked with her on her cover of The Velvet Underground & Nico's "I'll Be Your Mirror" that was part of last year's tribute comp of the same name.
The track centers on a sense of persistence. "I wanna be myself," Van Etten sings as icy synths reverberate in the background. "Gotta think straight to get by," she later insists. Van Etten revealed "Porta" is about being "at one of my lowest lows. For most of my adult life I have struggled with bouts of depression and anxiety and coping mechanisms, and I sometimes let those dark moments get the best of me. During this time I felt very dissociated. Not connected to my body and I felt out of control."
She detailed how outside help from her pilates instructor, Stella Cook, got her through: "I was seeking a friend, someone to talk to who understands what finding the core means but also knows what my weaknesses are and can help me work around them and find my other strengths. I knew I was entering a no judgment zone and I needed to be held accountable for my actions and Stella helped me step up."
The accompanying video captures Van Etten and Cook finding their core and centering themselves. Watch it below.
