PJ Harvey’s Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea, a landmark album in her career, recently received a reissue accompanied by a collection of demos. This release offers a fascinating look into the creative process behind the Mercury Prize-winning record, often considered her most accessible work. “Is This Love Pj Harvey?” fans might ask, considering the album’s themes of romance and connection, a departure from her earlier, more abrasive sound. Let’s delve into these demos and uncover the raw beginnings of this critically acclaimed album.
Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea marked a shift in PJ Harvey’s sound, embracing a more melodic and lush aesthetic compared to the darker, experimental tones of her previous albums like Is This Desire?. While the album retains her signature inventiveness, it incorporates cleaner vocals, chiming guitars, and layered harmonies, resulting in a brighter and more open sonic landscape. However, tracks like “Kamikaze” still resonate with the raw energy of her earlier work, proving that accessibility doesn’t necessitate a sacrifice of artistic integrity.
The demos reveal the skeletal frameworks of these songs, often stripped down to Harvey’s voice and guitar. The starkness highlights the strength of her songwriting, demonstrating how the core melodies and arrangements were present from the outset. Unlike the demos for Is This Desire?, which served as the foundation for the final recordings, the Stories demos offer alternate versions, showcasing a rawness and intimacy that contrasts with the polished production of the album.
For instance, “Good Fortune,” a shimmering pop gem on the album, appears in a more rustic form in the demos, highlighting the evolution of the song from its initial conception. “A Place Called Home” also showcases this raw energy with its drum machine pattern and simpler arrangement. These demos allow listeners to appreciate the meticulous crafting that went into shaping the final versions.
“This Is Love,” a standout track in the demo collection, exemplifies the raw power of Harvey’s songwriting. The interplay between her echo-laden vocals and the driving power chords creates a palpable tension, showcasing the emotional depth present even in these early recordings. Tracks like “Big Exit” and “The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore” further emphasize this raw energy, pulsating with a rhythmic intensity that foreshadows the album’s more polished tracks. The absence of drums in many of the demos allows Harvey’s guitar work and vocals to take center stage, revealing the inherent rhythmic drive of her songwriting.
The lyrical content of Stories also explores new territory for Harvey, delving into themes of love and connection. While the album’s title suggests a duality between urban and rural life, reflecting Harvey’s time spent in New York City and her Dorset home, the lyrics often focus on the complexities of relationships. Lines like “I can’t believe life’s so complex, when I just want to sit here and watch you undress” express a raw sensuality rarely seen in her earlier work. This lyrical shift, combined with the more melodic soundscapes, contributes to the album’s overall feeling of openness and vulnerability.
The Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea demos provide invaluable insight into PJ Harvey’s creative process. They showcase the evolution of her songwriting, the strength of her initial ideas, and the deliberate choices made in shaping the final album. While the album itself is a polished and sophisticated work, the demos offer a glimpse into the raw emotions and artistic vision that underpin its creation. This collection serves as a compelling companion piece, revealing the heart of PJ Harvey’s artistry and enriching the listening experience of an already iconic album. The Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea vinyl reissue and demos are available for purchase. You can find PJ Harvey on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
