Wolf Alice: Five Essential PJ Harvey Songs
Wolf Alice (photo by Jono White, PR)
When Wolf Alice's brilliant second album (and FUV New Dig), Visions of a Life, was shortlisted for the UK's prestigious 2018 Mercury Prize over the summer, it was the second time that the north London group had been so honored: their 2015 debut, My Love is Cool, had landed them a nomination three years ago too, losing to Benjamin Clementine. (Wolf Alice was nominated for a Grammy for best Rock Performance back in 2016 too, for "Moaning Lisa Smile.")
But 2018 is Wolf Alice's year — and the quartet won the Mercury Prize on September 20 for Visions of a Life at the awards ceremony at London's Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, jubilantly (and maybe a tad nervously) performing their single "Don't Delete the Kisses" twice. It was the perfect culmination of a remarkable handful of years for singer and guitarist Ellie Rowsell, guitarist Joff Oddie, bassist Theo Ellis, and drummer Joel Amey. The four friends are not only adventurous in the studio, but also churn out electrifying live sets at festivals like Glastonbury and Reading. They've come to the Bronx for two riveting FUV Live sessions too, in 2017 and 2015.
Rowsell's agile guitarwork and her wondrous, expressive voice coolly elevates her sharp lyrics, leaping from scathing indictment to tender entreaty to chill rap (sometimes all in the same song, like on 2015's "Giant Peach"). And while she might shy from comparisons, Rowsell's powerful command of a song does recall PJ Harvey, in strength and steely self-assurance.
Harvey, who will be scoring Ivo van Hove's theatrical adaptation of All About Eve on the West End this winter, is the only artist to have ever won the Mercury Prize twice (for 2001's Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea and 2011's Let England Shake) — a record that could be equaled one day by recent winners Rowsell and her Wolf Alice bandmates.
For Polly Jean's birthday on October 9, FUV asked Rowsell if she might have some favorite Harvey tunes. So from a brand new Mercury Prize winner to a two-time recipient, this is Rowsell's "Five Essential PJ Harvey Songs" for FUV Essentials.
Wolf Alice's Ellie Rowsell: Five Essential PJ Harvey Songs:
"White Chalk," White Chalk (2007)
This is my favourite PJ Harvey song. The lyrics are almost like a nursery rhyme and yet I feel the personal depth of this song, especially knowing that PJ comes from Broadchurch where the cliffs are — and also the dark turn this song takes in the last verse. I mainly love it for its instrumentation, though, and the beautiful vocal effect that I have all too often tried to emulate.
"The Last Living Rose," Let England Shake (2011)
This was the first song I fell in love with of PJ's. She manages perfectly conjure a nostalgia for England which is appropriate, considering the subject matter of the whole album. I love the melody and especially the way she sings the last line: 'The last living rose, quivers.'
"Silence," White Chalk (2007)
This song is desperately sad. When it all comes in at the end after the pause, and she starts singing the refrain, "silence," I often feel moved to tears.
Nick Cave and PJ Harvey, "Henry Lee," traditional, from Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds' Murder Ballads (1996)
I know this is a Nick Cave song, but it's a brilliant duet and is my favourite music video ever.
"We Float," Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea (2000)
I'm a much bigger fan of PJ Harvey's later work to be honest, but I thought I should add in an older song. So I have chosen "We Float," 'cause it's a great chorus juxtaposed against the verses.
- Wolf Alice's Ellie Rowsell
October 2018
