"White Chalk" is the seventh studio album by English musician PJ Harvey. Released on 24 September 2007, the album marked a departure from Harvey's previous work, adopting a more piano-led style of music instead of her usual guitar-focused rock. This piano-driven sound aligned her with notable composers of art music and minimalism. The recording period of White Chalk was notably longer than that of her past album releases, lasting approximately two years due to Harvey's experimentation and exploration of different recording techniques.
Lyrically, "White Chalk" is often described as Harvey's most haunting and personal work. Themes prevalent in the album include sorrow, death, and loss, drawing from elements of folk and blues music. The album is also noted for Harvey's vocal performance, in which she sang in a higher register than in previous works, further contributing to the album's distinct, eerie atmosphere.
"White Chalk" received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising its emotional depth and Harvey's innovative exploration of a new musical style. Despite its limited commercial success, the album has been cited as one of her most powerful works, continuing her reputation as a boundary-pushing artist.
Recording took place in West London's Mayfair Studios and it was co-produced by Harvey, Flood, and John Parish. The cover art, shot by Maria Mochnacz, shows a blurred Harvey in a chalk-white dress, which helped reinforce the themes presented in the album itself.
