Uh Huh Her is the sixth full-length album from PJ Harvey and is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Stories from the City, and Stories from the Sea.

While Stories was an attempt at the mainstream, just to see if she could do it, Uh Huh Her breaks into a different direction.  Harvey played all the instruments and handled the production and mixing of the album.

The results are a stripped down, lo-fi exercise in catharsis and bared emotions.  Uh Huh Her begins with the primal thump of “The Life and Death of Mr. Badmouth”, the heartbreak of “Shame” and the scratched guitar frustration of “Who the F*ck?”

In “The Letter”, Harvey asks “Who is left / that writes these days / but you and me/ we’ll be different.”  In that lyric lies the quality of how powerful her music can be.  Uh Huh Her is about the struggles and feelings of a person who can demonstrate them effectively.

Harvey is a compelling lyricist and the songs on this album serve to push the lyrics to the forefront.  She has the ability to be vulnerable, but finds strength in that vulnerability.

Unfortunately there are a few low points in the album that tend to drag.  The final few tracks lose the steam that builds in the beginning.  The one constant is the vocals that remain consistent throughout.

“The Darker Days of Me and Him” ends the album, following one minute and eleven seconds of crying seagulls, with a calmness that is the complete opposite of how the album begins.  Emotions and tempos range very little in between, mostly leaning towards the mellower piano-driven songs.

The bottom line is PJ Harvey has and will do better, but Uh Huh Her feels like an essential part of progression.  It is a good album that serves to build anticipation for what is next and what could be.
 

• Visit the Official website.
• Listen to samples and Purchase this CD online

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