It already seems as if 2012 will be Sharon Van Etten’s year. Earlier this month, the singer released her third studio album, “Tramp,” which was produced by the National’s Aaron Dressner (Dressner also makes an appearance on the album). “Tramp” has been receiving impressive reviews and has been called her best album yet. Also in February, Van Etten embarked on a tour, which included two consecutive shows at Lincoln Hall. While she already has a number of accomplishments under her belt, Van Etten still appears to have an up-coming-artist status, which is why two shows in Chicago is surprising.

However, two shows were needed for Van Etten, on Thursday night, Lincoln Hall was packed. Van Etten performed songs mostly from “Tramp,” opening with the beautiful “Warsaw.” She followed with the album’s first single, “Serpents,” a spiteful breakup song. While Van Etten could easily do show by only singing, her backing band added a rich, full sound. The guitars and drum amplified her voice, making her performance more powerful and haunting.

Most of Van Etten’s songs are about heartbreak and love and are, at times, not easy to listen to. Yet, Van Etten wooed the crowd with her humor and charm. She knows how to make people laugh and have a good time. She’s the type of person that you hear talking and you immediately think, “We’d be best friends.” Her sense of humor is needed to contrast the melancholic atmosphere that her songs radiate.

Throughout her entire show, a large screen hung above the stage. For each song, different artistic videos played. One featured a snowy landscape viewed from a train ride, another a warm, sunny day. The best, however, was the footage shown while Van Etten sang “Give Out,” easily one of the best numbers she performed that night. A gray city sky framed by the walls of skyscrapers flashed by on the screen as Van Etten cried, “You’re the reason why I’ll move to the city / You’re the reason why I’ll need to leave.” Her voice pierced through the venue like a tragic plea.

There were a few technical mishaps, but Van Etten played them off with her lure. At times, the songs started to sound the same and the show dragged a little, but overall, Van Etten’s voice and lyrics were so gut-wrenching that the slowness didn’t matter at all.