The amazing Polly Jean Harvey returns with a new album on September 25. It's called White Chalk. Some songs have been making their way onto the net. Then there's this video that was recorded during an interview and performance on Norwegian Radio. I've been a huge fan of PJ since the release of her first CD, Dry back in 1992, and she became something of a musical Goddess to me in 1995 with To Bring You My Love, a disc influenced heavily by the blues and Captain Beefheart, and my Album of the Decade for the 90s.

Like all great artists, Polly defies predictability and keeps challenging herself and shaking things up every few years. Now she's apparently shifting to a starker, more minimal, piano based sound and trying to experiment vocally. She's anything but mainstream, easy listening, and this might not be for everyone, but White Chalk is shaping up to be the year's most anticipated musical event for me.