Angelene
PJ Harvey · Is This Desire? [1998]
Prettiest mess you've ever seen
Love for money is my sin
Any man calls, I'll let him in
Rose is my colour, and white
Pretty mouth and green my eyes
I see men come and go
But there'll be one who will collect my soul and come to me
chorus
Two-thousand miles away
He walks upon the coast
Two-thousand miles away
It lays open like a road
Dear God, life ain't kind
People getting born and dying
But I've heard there's joy untold
Lays on that open road in front of me
chorus
it seems so far away
i see men come and go
two-thousand miles until
i reach that open road
My first name is Angelene
Angelene
PJ Harvey's 'Angelene' stands as a haunting centerpiece on the 1998 album *Is This Desire?*, embodying the raw, atmospheric intensity that defines her work during this period. The track utilizes a sparse, minimalist arrangement to amplify Harvey's distinctive vocal delivery, which oscillates between ethereal vulnerability and aggressive distortion. Released in the mid-1990s, the song reflects the era's post-punk revival, blending gothic rock sensibilities with electronic textures. It serves as a powerful exploration of emotional turbulence, characteristic of Harvey's ability to transform personal anguish into universal sonic landscapes. The recording remains a testament to her mastery of mood and texture, influencing countless artists who followed in her wake.