What is the best PJ Harvey album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea" (2000). It's the most representative of what makes PJ Harvey worth hearing.

What are the best PJ Harvey albums?

The essential PJ Harvey albums include "The Peel Sessions 1991–2004", "Dress" (1991), "Dry" (1992), "Sheela-Na-Gig" (1992) and "4-Track Demos" (1993).

How many albums does PJ Harvey have?

PJ Harvey has 41 releases in their discography, including 24 albums and 2 EPs.

Photo: Man Alive! · CC BY 2.0

PJ Harvey

Q: Who is PJ Harvey for?

If you're into alternative rock and folk rock, PJ Harvey is worth your time. PJ Harvey's music moves through layers of tension and release, employing jagged guitar lines and ethereal vocals to create a palpable sense of urgency that resonates long after the final note.

PJ Harvey's music moves through layers of tension and release, employing jagged guitar lines and ethereal vocals to create a palpable sense of urgency that resonates long after the final note.

alternative rock · folk rock

United Kingdom

Read about PJ Harvey on Bookshop

Start here

The album

Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea album by PJ Harvey

Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea (2000)

Represents PJ Harvey's blend of alternative rock and folk, showcasing her emotive songwriting and diverse sound in a cohesive experience.

The song

“Down by the Water” from To Bring You My Love

Features an immediate hook with a haunting melody, encapsulating her style while being accessible for first-time listeners.

See the full guide

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"Rid of Me" — from 4-Track Demos (1993)

establishes the sonic palette early
2

"Oh My Lover" — from The Peel Sessions 1991–2004

establishes the sonic palette early
3

"Angelene" — from Is This Desire? (1998)

accessible entry with immediate hook
4

"To Bring You My Love" — from To Bring You My Love (1995)

establishes the sonic palette early
5

"Black Hearted Love" — from A Woman a Man Walked By (2009)

accessible entry with immediate hook
6

"Rid of Me" — from Rid of Me (1993)

accessible entry with immediate hook

About PJ Harvey

PJ Harvey holds a significant place in the musical landscape as a voice that refuses to conform, consistently challenging societal norms and personal boundaries through her art.

Her fearless exploration of dark themes and raw emotionality has shaped not only alternative rock but also influenced emerging artists who seek authenticity in their expression.

Her fearless exploration of dark themes and raw emotionality has shaped not only alternative rock but also influenced emerging artists who seek authenticity in their expression. By articulating complex experiences with unflinching honesty, she has carved out a space where vulnerability and strength coexist, inviting listeners to confront uncomfortable truths. Her approach to music-making is characterized by a remarkable willingness to experiment with sound and structure. Employing an array of instrumentation and stylistic shifts, Harvey often forgoes traditional song forms, allowing her compositions to evolve organically. This innovative spirit manifests in her live performances as well, where her intense delivery transforms each show into a visceral experience that resonates deeply with the audience. Lyrically, PJ Harvey frequently delves into themes of identity, power dynamics, and the human condition, crafting narratives that oscillate between personal introspection and broader social commentary. Her writing blends poetic storytelling with stark impressions, often straddling irony and sincerity to create multi-dimensional characters and scenarios. This duality offers listeners a mirror reflecting both the complexity of their own emotions and the world around them.

24 studio albums· 41 total releases· 3 decades· United Kingdom