If you’re a PJ Harvey fan, you might have seen the teaser campaign she’s been running on her website for new release ‘Let England Shake’. Visually the campaign is beautiful, and with a name like that, it peaked my interest from the moment I saw the banner ad on Hype.
She’s been dropping cute photos into the countdown in the form of news nibs (including info about her appearance on Zane Lowe tomorrow night between 7pm – 9pm when he’ll be exclusively playing a new track from the album).
There’s also a sneak preview of the suitably poetic tracklisting, and a shot of some chord changes for one of the songs.
Finally on the 23rd it was confirmed that Let England Shake – her eighth studio album – is set to be released on the 14.02.2011 through Island Records.
Recorded in a 19th Century church in Dorset with long time collaborator Flood (who co-produced the album with PJ Harvey, John Parish and Mick Harvey), the album will be supported by shows in Brussels, Berlin, Paris, and London’s Troxy on February 27th and 28th. She’s also set to return to the festival scene. I’ve got my money on Glastonbury or The Big Chill, but we’ll see.
PJ is a bit of a musical chameleon, and is well-known for her dislike of repetition. I’ve been a huge fan of her previous electro/rock efforts and have high hopes for the next round. Like a British version of Karen O, she’s got a fire in her belly and the talent instrumentally to produce rich sounds that might have to work a little hard to connect with, but end up falling in love with.
Until tomorrow, here’s a clip of PJ performing the lead track on the Andrew Marr show way back in April.