Polly Jean Harvey released her eighth album on Valentine's Day - which was partly recorded in a church in her home county of Dorset. Harvey shifted from White Chalk's gaunt piano ballads to a broader sound that is no less feverish and close to the bone. Imagine a minimalist take on her debut album Dry's folk-blues tilt, all urgent and wiry rhythm. It was recorded mostly live with multi-instrumental support from the long-serving John Parrish and (former Bad Seed) Mick Harvey. But there are subtle additions; the signature horse 'n' hounds bugle leading the hunt is woven into a shifty The glorious land, the Bulgarian Women's choral wail on the otherwise skeletal England.
Released: January 2022
Cat: 0725402
Label: Island
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Tracklist
1. Let England Shake
2. The Last Living Rose
3. The Glorious Land
4. The Words That Maketh Murder
5. All And Everyone
6. On Battleship Hill
7. England
8. In The Dark Places
9. Bitter Branches
10. Hanging In The Wire
11. Written On The Forehead
12. The Colour Of The Earth