PJ Harvey - I Inside the Old Year Dying ALBUM REVIEW

Listen: pjharvey.bandc...
At times I Inside's generally mesmerizing music comes off as an afterthought to Harvey's poetry.
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FAV TRACKS: PRAYER AT THE GATE, LWONESOME TONIGHT, I INSIDE THE OLD YEAR DYING, A CHILD'S QUESTION AUGUST, I INSIDE THE OLD I DYING, A NOISELESS NOISE
LEAST FAV TRACK: AUTUMN TERM
PJ HARVEY - I INSIDE THE OLD YEAR DYING / 2023 / PARTISAN / ART ROCK, AVANT-FOLK
7/10
Y'all know this is just my opinion, right?

[@TwigsxIvan]

you should a PJ album for classics week next year

[@robf1557]

Rid of Me or Stories should suffice

[@HarveyJackson1967]

PJ album...classic..........lol

[@TwigsxIvan]

@@HarveyJackson1967 Rid Of Me, To Bring you My Love, Stories are all classics tho

[@robf1557]

​@@HarveyJackson1967her entire 90s run could be considered for classics week, fym "classic....lol"

[@HarveyJackson1967]

Sure folks, stay delusional 🙄 you won't catch me putting PJ on a pedestal any time soon

[@miccopassaro]

I'm frankly baffled by some reviews of this album, including this one. Enigmatic, odd, unorthodox, obscure, hard and similar adjectives make me wonder what people are used to listen to: (with all the due respect) Ed Sheeran? Wet Leg? This album is as "difficult" as a Radiohead or a Nick Cave album can be. What are they talking about? Musically, this album is not trivial as too many nowadays and she does not repeat herself. Lirically, it is intriguing and profound; yes, sometimes "hard", but, for God's sake, were lines as "Little fish big fish swimming in the water come back here man gimme my daughter" less "odd"? If this yardstick were used, Bob Dylan would have never won a Nobel Prize. Just to say that "oddity" should not be used as a critical remark. Vocally, PJ is at her best: she uses her voice in different ways and she is almost flawless, even in the highest register. Again, she challenges herself, at the same time offering new perspectives to her listeners. In short, you can put this record on and enjoy it a lot. To me, one of her best albums and one of the best of the year so far, together with Lana Del Rey, Lonnie Holley, Kara Jackson, Julie Byrne. Prayer at the Gate, Lwonesome Tonight, The Nether-edge, just to say a few titles, offer great music.

[@Missjunebugfreak]

You make a great point about how if this album were made by Nick Cave or Radiohead it would be receiving universal praise from the critics but I guess people keep expecting PJ to give us a more straightforward immediate album which she frankly doesn't seem interested in doing. I love that this album is more challenging and somewhat enigmatic because it rewards intent listening. Also nice to see Lonnie Holley's great album from this year being shout out since it truly is one of the more underrated gems of the year for me.

[@Marrei]

Agree with this comment so much more than any review I've read lol.

[@thenavajoknow]

It‘s beautiful, interesting, considered. Music as art, not as pop.

[@Henry-Paget]

@@Missjunebugfreak Yeah but this album has received acclaim from critics and nobody who has been paying attention to Harvey's career since White Chalk would be expecting her to deliver something straightforward anyway.

[@PabloAfroSamurai]

Was looking for a comment like this 🙌🏾

[@sanfordcurtis8242]

PJ Harvey has never made a bad album.

[@vasvas8914]

Yep

[@Lau..]

Pj Hagvey Was ended by Björk

[@vasvas8914]

@@Lau.. lol PJ shits all over Bjork's pretentiousness. She actually can write tunes

[@vasvas8914]

@chaz_gaming yeah, but I chose not to

[@jnicolson865]

@@vasvas8914 Bjork is also a legend: 'Human Behaviour', 'Army of Me'.... She's great!

[@thepepperpig42069]

Big fish little fish swimming in the water Come back Melon gimme my daughter

[@dertodesking.]

She has so much amazing stuff, that I'll happily take an album that's 'only' very good. Absolute legend.

[@philatio1744]

i will forever simp for pj harvey no matter what.

[@augusts1]

Agreed.

[@KopakaBased12]

100%

[@MaquiladoraIII]

Couldn't agree more, and she's still absolutely awesome live.

[@Asaddsed]

I think it’s very experimental, she’s basically reviving an ancient dialect, and the contrast between this and the more modern day references (Pepsi/Elvis/school bus) makes the writing very liminal and unique U also seem weirded out by the weird sounds, and they do seem random (u compare to an alarm), but I think feeling alarmed is the intention All in all I think it’s an 8-9

[@Trainy2]

Everything PJ does is intentional. He acts like she doesn't know what she's doing.

[@milespantos]

​@@Trainy2yeah this review is kinda childish lmao.

[@womanoftheworld5745]

Totally agree with this. I am a major fan of hers and was really excited for this album. I liked a lot of it upon first listen but so much has grown since then after several listens. These songs have a hypnotic quality to them esp with the Dorset dialect which I think is fascinating to listen to. She is such an artist and I am so glad she finally felt inspired and able to write music again.

[@marciocassu4990]

This album is art: 10/10

[@supplechap5429]

My friend recommended this too me, it’s the first PJ Harvey album I’ve listened to, and I absolutely love it personally.

[@michaelmoraga2926]

Right on. If you loved this album, you are probably going to love so many of her other albums. I recommend working your way back (yes, back) through her discography to the beginning. It has been an amazing sonic journey. Buckle up! 😉

[@theotheoth]

You are forgiven, being that you're only 12.

[@Trainy2]

PJ is more an artist who makes music than a musician. Like David Lynch is to movies.

[@simonblub]

hey i genuinly dont know what u mean with this could you explaun ? :)

[@cheesybirdmess7349]

I found my people I see

[@ZaphiroAnejo]

I guess Wes is a better example

[@orkanner2183]

Music and film are both art forms, and musicians and filmakers are artists so this is kind of an odd statement.

[@garciansmith1460]

Lol, David Lynch also has made his own album or two of bizarre music, so its also Like David Lynch is to music!

[@eggyumyum]

I’d say this album should get no less then an 8/10.

[@trique9776]

PJ Harvey has never made a bad album yet. A lot of artists when they get older in age start to try to please their audience and create something, or rehash old ideas over and over again. PJ Harvey never seems to do that; her ideas are always fresh, and she seems to go inside herself and create albums that she wants to make in a personal way.

[@LoolKids]

i think what makes her releases still exciting is that she's pretty much an artist who use music as the canvas... she doesn't repeat herself, she's talented, she's creative, she takes her time. it's really refreashing to see an artist of her age not get stuck or get lost in their own artistry.

[@fives.]

It's pretty darn good. I don't know if she ever smashes past the high-water mark of Let England Shake, but she doesn’t really have to, this is a good album.

[@MaxMax-zo9vq]

It’s crazy that she had a renaissance with Let England Shake over 20 years into her career. Might be her second best after Rid of Me.

[@sarumanofsooomanycolours]

​@@MaxMax-zo9vq I feel like what makes PJ so remarkable as an artist is that she never stops experimenting and learning. White Chalk felt like a turn. And then we got Let England Shake and The Hope Six Demolition Project (which I love - I feel like because LES was so mind-blowingly brilliant, THSDP which feels somewhat similar is very underrated because it is compared to LES). Then she took a break. And here we are with something completely new!

[@teamkockroach4080]

0:12 Background information 1:10 PJ Harvey's poetry book "Orlam", and instrumentation behind this project 4:50 Praise for how the lyrics connect from song to song, and how they're "otherworldly and folkloric" n/a Prayer at the Gate 1:41 Autumn Term 4:37 Lwonesome Tonight 2:40 Seem an I n/a The Nether-edge 3:26 I Inside the Old Year Dying n/a All Souls 2:02 A Child's Question, August 4:06 I Inside the Old I Dying 3:03 August 3:38 A Child's Question, July 4:03 A Noiseless Noise 5:32 Overall thoughts and conclusion. LIGHT (to decent) 7

[@untamedbanana3794]

thank you for this

[@guillaume5313]

weird comment

[@ammo7204]

it's just 6 minutes. no need for timestamps

[@ohtosweg]

@@ammo7204 you overestimate the limits of my patience

[@dominicsay8090]

Most pointless comment of the year. Thanks.

[@RandomPerson-nx3rm]

I wouldn't say there were too many moments that simply blew me away but I think it's a pretty consistent record overall.

[@TheMikenanners]

Full album is a 10/10 for ‘Prayer at the Gate’ alone.

[@queertype]

i'll be over here jammin to autumn term on my own damn

[@p0rnsynth]

That makes two of us, buddy

[@TwigsxIvan]

I BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE

[@martinquiroga5489]

TURN IT UP!!!

[@camusunder]

Me too

[@metallicakixtotalass]

Experimental dark rock music with fictional stories involving Elvis? Maybe PJ Harvey was listening to Scott Walker.

[@simontucker79]

Her best album since Let England Shake

[@wakingthewitch7855]

LOL

[@munsulight721]

For me it is high 7 to low 8. I dont mind the instrumental being as subtle or weird at time. It is more my jam with folk-ish music. Lyrics themselves can't hold my attention enough in general while listening to folk-ish album Maybe it will change with further listen (I'm at listen number 4)

[@MaquiladoraIII]

I've only just listened to this album but saw her in Manchester last night, and can say that the LP takes on a new dimension live. One of my first takes is that this album is eeri gly reminiscent of the slower tracks from Hail to the Thief. Independent of the music, the album art and the record sleeve are absolutely beautiful.

[@stephenglasse2743]

she was fantastic in manchester! I was there for when johnny Marr joined her on stage

[@spacecadetrik21]

I saw her at Edinburgh book festival last year reading and discussing Orlam. I bought it at the event and have read it a couple of times since. It is a beautiful book of poetry, a delightful tale and it for sure influenced the way I listened to this album. I do get why some may struggle with it, but I think it's a joy.

[@TheLindenbeat]

8 to light 9 for me honestly. I liked it quite a bit, it's pretty haunting and for my tastes it works well. You know you could review my alb-

[@haimon34]

Please do a Tom Waits tier list

[@tylerwareham940]

I didn’t quite know what to make of it at first but I have grown to like it. It’s a solid release. I don’t have much critique of the album however there are 2-3 tracks I’m not too crazy about and I find the order of the songs a bit odd. To combat this I just organise the songs I do like in a playlist and honestly listening to it that way makes this album so much more enjoyable for me.

[@underhear_1544]

This album is beyond brilliant... like all of PJ's work it takes time to reveal itself

[@Cronelife_]

its really growing on me and the recent tour for this album is reminding me of 2 of her best tours 95 & her tour with parish for a man a woman

[@underhear_1544]

I can see that... I'm praying for US shows... she seems to be enjoying this album cycle and appears much more open with her performances @@Cronelife_

[@dominicsay8090]

I love this album and i think its an amazing companion piece to Orlam. I do agree that a few of the songs could do with being fleshed out a bit, but that doesn't really detract from my enjoyement of it. Its so atmospheric and creepy, just like her book!

[@tanaka1477]

PJ Harvey said once that she tries not to put out an album if she feels like it's an album she's already made before.

[@tokillahummingbird7616]

I like how he called 2023 mid then this year became much better midway through lol

[@JalenZachhM]

This is good! I’ve been bumping this a lot since it came out.

[@royboy7256]

She’s the best ❤

[@superigg_]

glaive album?

[@shipcrashgames8112]

Bro please review I care so much that I don’t care at all by glaive 🙏

[@SharkeySpice]

Surprised it got a 7 based on the actual review! I also find it funny how you always talk so negatively about Hope Six. Like I agree it’s not as good as Let England Shake but it’s still a good album!! (Imo a VERY good album)

[@t.c.bramblett617]

It's a great album that really wasn't planned well as a record. I think it's not well represented in sound alone. I love it anyway, you can sense her vision.

[@alexbaxter8291]

I agree that it wasn't as well planned as some of her previous albums in the sense that she'd not gone into the studio with demos for every song, but sonically I think It's her most adventurous yet. Have you figured out which track uses a field recording she made of cows mooing, manipulated the sound and used it as the bass track of the song? Sometimes, less is more and IMO it's the most spacious recording she's made. I much prefer the music from her earlier career, but I really admire the fact she's never stood still and 6 months later I'm still finding hidden gems within the soundscape of this LP.

[@NikoFrederiko.]

I'll bet melon dry-cleans cause his shirts be lasting.

[@OkaySoShit]

Another great album from PJ

[@Highlander1911]

I wish more people talked about her collab with Sparklehorse.

[@bristolvanausdal6422]

review More Kissing! by Kid Presentable

[@Henry-Paget]

I think this album is more like an 8, it is incredibly unique and beautiful, reminds me of Kristin Hayters new record Saved in its deliberate approach to an unfinished sound and haunted folk setting. The songs feel sparse for a reason, because that is exactly what an ancient folk album would sound like. I am glad to see that it has received the critical acclaim it deserves.

[@ytm23ak]

Pajama Harvey really put something together here.

[@neroltecneops59]

You wear pajamas with sneakers in public

[@Ca11mero]

Going to get this one, I always loved PJ but was quite disappointed with "Demolition Project", it's the only album I've got a hard time with. "Let England Shake" is arguably the best record she has made, it was really top notch from beginning to end.

[@stephenglasse2743]

i agree. DP was a let down after LES and White Chalk

[@Henry-Paget]

Demolition Project was not bad by any means, there are some very good tracks. This most recent album is much stronger though and it sees her back to being ultra experimental.

[@jens2049]

The singles on this album I love so much

[@lornai7171]

Agree wholeheartedly. Have you covered Candy Claws' reissue, Ceres and Calypso? Think you would appreciate it

[@rampageraptor3589]

theneedledrop Thoughts on (any of) the following albums melon? Albums Tainy - DATA (ft. Bad Bunny, Skrillex, etc.) tobi lou - 'Decent (ft. Polo G, Chief Keef, Saba, etc.) Rylo Rodriguez - Been One (ft. Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Lil Yachty, etc.) Terrace Martin - Fine Tune (ft. Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, etc.) Conway The Machine - Conway The Machine Presents: Drumwork The Album

[@sophiaisabelle01]

Your album reviews are often the best. We will support you no matter what.

[@chrislemoh2019]

It always takes a few listens and some reflection time to get to grips with a new PJ Harvey album. It is beautiful and spooky, very closely tied to her book 'Orlam', which is a dark, rustic fantasy/horror story in poetic form.

[@Alianger]

Cloudtano had some high falootin' takes

[@d4ni_8oi]

Dissapointed we didn’t get the flannel pajamas for this one

[@ismyyss]

That one was a grower with me. I would give it a 5 when i first heard, but now I would give it an 8

[@p0rnsynth]

I love Autumn Term, specially the vocals (the ghoulish aspect of it really adds to the atmosphere imo) and the children at the end (which, if you listen closely, you can hear them say "Ira")

[@glitchunicorn]

It's an interesting album. Sounds like they are you using a Arp in the 1st part of the album. It's sounds stripped down and a lil less energy vs her other albums. But, I do go back to it to listen to it again.

[@TheRareVideosXL]

Great album review.

[@jorgepacheco9845]

Fantano you should review the album Pj did with Marianne Faithfull "Before The Poison" !!!🚬🎸

[@underhear_1544]

incredible album

[@Milklatte]

Have to say a lot of the melodies reminded me a lot to Pyramid song by Radiohead and other similar Yorke tunes

[@vicmantiri6782]

Hey fantano! It's weird for you to put a video saying "trump is my daddy" in your pop reviews playlist, but other than that this is a really good review of a solid record.

[@blondeorangefo848]

Pj harvey tier list next

[@mattmichaels5195]

yes

[@thepleb729]

Anthony it’s 1:12am please go to bed

[@user-wq7rw8dd7q]

Antonio el Fantas

[@wubstep7304]

Glaive

[@rossrobbins7707]

I'd give it an 8, but I respect your take 😊

[@samuelcroissant87712]

All this but no Death’s Dynamic Shroud review is criminal

[@jessemelancholy]

Review new glaive fr

[@israelwirihana55]

You gonna do stories from the city, stories from the sea? Or uh huh her?

[@MajoraWaffle]

REVIEW THE NEW JULIE BYRNE ALBUM SMH

[@rbuh7400]

We’re never getting a feed the beast review I fear

[@birdytiger]

I did like this, my brother loves it, but as I have listened to white chalk a bunch, itll stay my touchstone if I want to listen to this vibe

[@piggytrombone]

read this as bart harley jarvis and was instantly filled with rage

[@Babagula89]

when shall we excpect your "Vinyl Update"?

[@paulinebureau6528]

Her album is witchcraft

[@tyler3876]

PJ was the name of my first cat

[@Dagger7701]

Review moments of clarity by narrow head!!

[@MisterPonIAm]

Did you see new baroness single beneath the rose?

[@kiddiejazzclub3365]

save me a slice.

[@lucioandriulo9011]

I think the record’s brilliant and, language aside, find it pretty accessible as well

[@DunnyMaayte]

Please review "The New World" by Swindle. It has a full album-length music video on YT with a handful of views - THIS ALBUM IS CRIMINALLY UNDER-RATED. Quality, jazzy, UK hip-hop/R&B (the music videos are top-notch also). The producer (Swindle) has worked with tons of British rappers over the years and this is his magnum opus. Think of it like Mark Ronson's Version performed by Sons of Kemet, except everything is original. Features include Kojey Radical, Loyle Carner, Ghetts, Maverick Sabre, Joel Culpepper and Akala. I absolutely love it and I think Melon would too. Peace ✌✌

[@Radi0Wires]

BlackBraid II

[@stefanotiezzi6843]

when will you review the new anhoni album?

[@dubbbzmaster4480]

Review the new Colter Wall album!

[@pres4515]

you should check new blackbraid record

[@audio_addict]

strong 8 for me.

[@mygic183]

Fair enough, I think “Flood” got in the way of it being a really great LP, I agree with 62.03% of your review…

[@Henry-Paget]

You people act like PJ does not know exactly what she was doing. The album was deliberately sparse and not built out because that is exactly what ancient folk music is meant to sound like. Also, this is a great LP, the acclaim it has received is well deserved.

[@NoSleepDaChimney]

Please do a DUCKBOY-tragic love songs to study to vol. 5

[@OkaySoShit]

Please Avalon Emerson and Anohni review!!

[@TheLunarnotes]

I haven’t listened to it yet but I’m very glad she’s seems to have dropped the faux American affectations in her accent, too many Uk female singers do this and it feels very inauthentic, I can’t take it seriously.

[@tom7979]

Deserves no less than an 8

[@sergiocastro1518]

Si esto fuera pimpear una mariposa le darias un 10

[@avgmaker]

Day 506 of commenting until Callthony Backtano reviews an album by Woodward and Parker

[@spooglemoon8]

I’m in a Dorset state of mind ….8/10

[@user-wf1gc9op3x]

CAN YOU PLEASE REVIEW ALTERNATIVE TRAP

[@aR0ttenBANANA]

Still at it? Not too shabby

[@michaelgreene4816]

Every veteran artist should get a 7 RIGHT FATNAY??

[@jayleaff]

i beg you to revisit deftones; any album, maybe relisten to them all. its been a minute and im curious if your opinion has changed

[@harleywoodstudios802]

REVIEW THE COLOR GREY BY JEV please

[@Skrewdriver1981]

6.8 tops I like it a bit

[@GraceGrace14253]

Hi Anthony! please review the album from Natural Wonder Beauty Concept (Ana Roxanne x DJ Python)

[@jecoy2]

“Call Anthony back” was this for your wife?

[@user-gm1cf1if5d]

Bro we need a 10

[@TwigsxIvan]

Spellling is dropping soon so i guess it’s coming

[@user-gm1cf1if5d]

@@TwigsxIvan it's not a new album all the songs are remake of old songs from her old albums

[@mikaitee]

Sir could you please review Never Enough by Daniel Caesar