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I Inside the Old Year Dying
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I Inside the Old Year Dying Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

  • Summary: The 10th full-length studio release from British singer-songwriter PJ Harvey was produced with Flood and John Parish.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Record Collector
    Jul 19, 2023
    100
    With expressive restraint, key collaborators John Parish and Flood utilise instruments and field recordings to tactile effect, while leaving room for Harvey’s voice to resonate. The results hold their folk-horror secrets close and harbour dark suggestions on investigation.
  2. Uncut
    Jun 29, 2023
    90
    Hark! I Inside the Old Year Dying is a singular thing. [Aug 2023, p.18]
  3. Consequence
    Jul 10, 2023
    83
    This record transports listeners through an intensely vivid journey, presenting a different side to PJ Harvey’s creative genius, one that proves profound art cannot be forced.
  4. Mojo
    Jun 29, 2023
    80
    I Inside the Old Year Dying holds itself at the biting point between old and new, re-evaluation and revelation. What lies on the other side, only Polly Harvey knows, but this is a record she was born to make. [Aug 2023, p.76]
  5. The Observer (UK)
    Jul 10, 2023
    80
    This might not be Harvey’s most immediate collection, but it’s as fascinating and rewarding as ever.
  6. The Independent (UK)
    Jul 6, 2023
    80
    I suspect that those who’ve always found Harvey a chore will find much to mock. But her fans will be all in for this mucky pagan whirl.
  7. The Wire
    Jun 29, 2023
    70
    There’s a consistent low level sense of discomfort, or of familiar sounds or words taking on bizarro parallel forms. Lyrically, the album is enigmatic, full of personal mythologies, and swings between the divine (Jesus, Elvis) and the domestic (schools, peanut butter sandwiches). The song titles are a puzzle of repeated words and variations of phrases, like a secret language in plain sight. All over the album are sounds that can’t easily be identified, or that sit in between recognisable timbres. [Jul 2023, p.52]
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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. AnythingGood
    Jul 8, 2023
    10
    It is one of the most unique albums I have heard it a long time. The standouts Lwonesome Tonight, Seem an I. The Nether-edge, A Child'sIt is one of the most unique albums I have heard it a long time. The standouts Lwonesome Tonight, Seem an I. The Nether-edge, A Child's question August, I Inside the Old Dying. And finally A Child's Question July. It is the female version of Radiohead, It is stunning. It will haunt you. I guess that is what PJ is up too these days. Bravo.… Expand
  2. Warehamtyler5
    Jul 9, 2023
    9
    Really interesting stuff. Took a few listens but it sits nicely with the rest of her discography.
  4. Lajaleaa
    Aug 22, 2023
    8
    First time listening to PJ Harvey and I find her incredibly interesting and very appalling. Her music has a complete awareness of itself, andFirst time listening to PJ Harvey and I find her incredibly interesting and very appalling. Her music has a complete awareness of itself, and it exists in a very organic place. Even though the risks are small, you can actually sense how this album is the first step on the stairs PJ Harvey is building up for herself. Returning to her music after 7 years, this is a strong statement on how she is actually unique on the way she makes and achieves her anbientation, concept and textures. Hopefully this is the prologue to amazing things to come.… Expand
  5. SergeiWalankov
    Jul 19, 2023
    5
    It's as if Harvey set about this uninspired slog of an album as an exercise to address the question, "what do I have to do to get a badIt's as if Harvey set about this uninspired slog of an album as an exercise to address the question, "what do I have to do to get a bad review?" To which the answer for her would seem to be that it simply cannot be done. That its Metacritic rating is six points higher than The Hope Six Demolition Project is testament to how soft music criticism has become in the seven years since it was released. Everyone who follows these things can tell you that any current album with a rating of less than 80 has been, in real terms, a critical failure.… Expand
  6. AmericanSkins
    Jul 15, 2023
    1
    Failed to incite any interest whatsoever. Pretentious but lacking in any kind of memorable lyric or melody.

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Best Album of 2023
65
#65 Most Discussed Album of 2023

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