What makes The Wheel by PJ Harvey notable?

The Wheel received critical acclaim upon release, with praise for its lyrical content and innovative sound. The song was featured on various end-of-year lists, solidifying Harvey's stature as a significant figure in contemporary music and affirming her influence on the alternative rock genre. Released in 2016, The Wheel marks PJ Harvey's follow-up to her acclaimed album, Let England Shake. At this point in her career, she was recognized as an influential voice in alternative rock, continuing to evolve her sound and lyrical depth. This single showcases her ongoing commitment to thematic exploration and musical experimentation.

How many songs are on The Wheel?

The Wheel has 1 track, running approximately 5 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

The Wheel

PJ Harvey · 2016

5 min · 1 track · alternative rock

A haunting exploration of cyclical themes, merging raw folk sensibilities with alternative rock textures.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
The Wheel — As the sole track on the album, The Wheel encapsulates PJ Harvey's intricate storytelling and evocative imagery, reflecting on themes of life cycles and transformation. Its haunting melody intertwines with powerful lyrics that invite deep contemplation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The Wheel showcases strong composition and craft, with a distinctive sound that reflects PJ Harvey's evolving artistry.

What we noticed

The song features a repetitive, circular structure that emphasizes its cyclical themes, with the instrumentation gradually building in intensity.
The vocal delivery is raw and emotive, contrasting with the layered instrumentation that includes both acoustic and electric elements.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Follows a critically acclaimed album, showcasing continued artistic vitality.
Career context: Released in 2016, The Wheel marks PJ Harvey's follow-up to her acclaimed album, Let England Shake. At this point in her career, she was recognized as an influential voice in alternative rock, continuing to evolve her sound and lyrical depth. This single showcases her ongoing commitment to thematic exploration and musical experimentation.
Stylistic neighbors: Anna Calvi· Bat for Lashes· St. Vincent