Harvey’s big humanist statement is scatter shot with non specific socio-political proclamations constructed of character narratives which focus on external rather than internal conflicts. These are tales of post imperialism, war, disgust, shame, and filth. Evocative invectives are delivered in layered vocals, mercurially mirroring the pastoral yet harsh central themes contained within.
This is a record of ages, historical in both lyric and arrangement. Displaying the most vigorously strident songwriting of her career, its lush poetic folk is concurrently bold, barbed and muscular. Authoritatively potent, bitterly bleak and beautiful, this record is an unexpected but essential punch in the face.
8/10
Words by Anna Wilson
