What makes Valve Bone Woe by Chrissie Hynde notable?

This album received critical acclaim, with particular praise for its lush arrangements and Hynde's vocal delivery, demonstrating her versatility as an artist. It reached number 36 on the UK Albums Chart and was noted for influencing a resurgence of interest in jazz standards among contemporary artists. Released in 2019, Valve Bone Woe is Chrissie Hynde's first album of jazz and standards, marking a notable shift from her rock roots established in The Pretenders. Following her previous studio album, Alone (2016), this project showcases her musical evolution and willingness to explore new genres at a later stage in her career.

How many songs are on Valve Bone Woe?

Valve Bone Woe has 14 tracks, running approximately 66 minutes.

Valve Bone Woe

Chrissie Hynde

66 min · 14 tracks · new wave

A lush, introspective collection of jazz standards reinterpreted through Chrissie Hynde's smoky vocals and rich instrumentation.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
How Glad I Am — This opening track captures the album's essence with its warm instrumentation and Hynde’s emotive interpretation, setting a reflective tone for the collection.
→
I’m a Fool to Want You — Hynde's rendition of this classic showcases her ability to convey deep emotion, transforming the original into a poignant exploration of desire and regret.
→
Wild Is the Wind — The haunting arrangement paired with Hynde’s powerful delivery elevates this cover into a profound meditation on love's turbulence, making it a standout moment on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

Hynde's jazz interpretations showcase her vocal strength and arrangement choices, though the material is less.

What we noticed

The album features lush orchestral arrangements that complement Hynde's smoky vocal style, creating a rich soundscape throughout.
Each track is a reinterpretation of jazz standards, with Hynde's phrasing and emotional delivery bringing a fresh perspective to familiar melodies.
The sequencing includes several slower ballads followed by more upbeat tracks, allowing for dynamic shifts in mood across the album.

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: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 How Glad I Am 4:39
2 Caroline, No 4:54
3 I’m a Fool to Want You 5:58
4 I Get Along Without You Very Well (Except Sometimes) 2:59
5 Meditation on a Pair of Wire Cutters 3:21
6 Once I Loved 4:19
7 Wild Is the Wind 5:46
8 You Don’t Know What Love Is 4:49
9 River Man 4:37
10 Absent Minded Me 5:51
11 Naima 5:21
12 Hello, Young Lovers 4:29
13 No Return 4:18
14 Que reste‐t‐il de nos amours 4:43

What to play next

Listen next

Stockholm

2014

Full Chrissie Hynde discography Artists like Chrissie Hynde

new wave

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata