Harridan (song)

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"Harridan"
Single by Porcupine Tree
from the album Closure/Continuation
Released1 November 2021
Recorded2011–September 2021
StudioHome Studios of each band member
GenreProgressive rock
Length8:07
LabelMusic for Nations
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Porcupine Tree singles chronology
"Bonnie the Cat"
(2010) 		"Harridan"
(2021) 		"Of the New Day"
(2022)

"Harridan" is a song by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, first released on 1 November 2021 as the lead single for the bands eleventh studio album Closure/Continuation. Upon release, it became the first new music by the band in nearly 12 years, with the last album being released in 2009.[1][2][3] Several critics called the track a fitting comeback for the band after their long hiatus.[4][5]

Background[edit]

Harridan, along with a few other tracks on the record have been in the works since shortly following the bands tenth studio album The Incident, released in 2009. According to the band, the track were initially on a computer file called "PT2012", though it went through different name changes. The band has stated that they would sometimes forget about the tracks existence all together, as well as times whenever they would be inclined to finish the tracks and see "where they would take us".[1][6][7][8] About the track and overall record, Steven Wilson stated:

"Listening to the finished pieces, it was clear that this wasn't like any of our work outside of the band – the combined DNA of the people behind the music meant these tracks were forming what was undeniably, unmistakably, obviously a Porcupine Tree record. You'll hear all of that DNA flowing right through 'Harridan.'"[6]

Videos[edit]

A lyric video for the track would also be released alongside the track.[9][10][11] It was directed by Rob and Miles Skarin.[12] According to them, about working on the video:

"It was an incredible experience to work on a lyric video for Harridan, Porcupine Tree's first new material in over 12 years. We wanted to create an immersive, propulsive video to match the song and we feel as though we accomplished just that. The video is made up of distorted/twisted versions of the Closure / Continuation artwork presented on a TV in a dimly lit room. There’s also a mysterious hillside walk to an ominous white square in the distance. What's behind the square? Watch and find out..."[12]

On 16 July 2022 the band also released a video of the song being performed at Air Studios.[13][14] On 6 November 2023, a new video for the live version of Harridan would be released.[15][16]

Composition[edit]

The song has been described as being a "journey that kicks off with funky bass" with "irresistible bass grooves", "jutting and pulsing rhythms", and "crashing drums" and "melodic percussion patterns" before transitioning into a more melodic middle section which "allows the outfit to reset and finish out the song in a more crushing heavy style" being described as almost extreme metal, continuing with swinging guitars & tribal-esque beats.[1][17] The end of the track is led with acoustic guitar and piano, being called melancholic.[17][7] Overall, instrumentally the track is considered very up tempo, pounding, and in general loud.[5] The track has been noted for being a stylistic departure from Steven Wilson most recent solo album at the time, The Future Bites also released in 2021, which saw less of a focus on guitars and a larger focus on synths and keyboards.[7] It has also been compared to B-sides by the band on records such as Deadwing and In Absentia.[5] Lyrically, the track has been described as meaning nothing, simply just being "free association poetry".[5]

Reception[edit]

Writing for Music Talkers, Nicholas Gaudet praised the track. Stating that every second of the track is filled with bliss and talent, also stating that the instrumentation is very tight without sounding constricted, also stating that the music is wide enough to give space despite all of the many complex rhythms and patterns.[17] They described bassist, guitarist, and front man Steven Wilson's vocals as being full of harmony and grace, highlighting his vocals in the first chorus. Overall they called the track a three-part story that works masterfully as the first music by the band in over a decade.[17]

Live version[edit]

"Harridan"
Single by Porcupine Tree
from the album Closure/Continuation.Live
Released6 November 2023
Recorded7 November 2022
VenueZiggo Dome (Amsterdam)
GenreProgressive rock
Length8:07
LabelMusic for Nations
Songwriter(s)Wilson

In promotion of Porcupine Tree's live album Closure/Continuation.Live, the band released a live version of the track along with a video on 6 November 2023".[15][16] The track was recorded during the Closure/Continuation tour, which Steven Wilson stated would likely be the final tour by the band.[18]

The live version of the track was recorded and filmed at the 17,000-capacity Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, Netherlands on 7 November 2022.[19][20] The track was released alongside a music video, the video features the band's performance of the track during the show.[21] The full live album is currently slated to be released on 8 December 2023.[19]

Personnel[edit]

Porcupine Tree

Production

  • Ian Anderson of The Designers Republic – art direction, image editor, photography, graphic design, creative director
  • Paul Stacey – additional guitar recording
  • Ed Scull – additional guitar recording engineering

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Childers, Chad (1 November 2021). "Porcupine Tree Drop 'Harridan,' First Song in Nearly 12 Years". Loudwire. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  2. ^ Kennelty, Greg (1 November 2021). "Porcupine Tree Reunites, Streams New Song "Harridan"". Metal Injection. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Porcupine Tree Suddenly Returns With First New Music in 12 Years, Full Album Announced". ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  4. ^ Sacher, Andrew (1 November 2021). "Porcupine Tree announce first album in 13 years, share new song "Harridan"". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d Ditsek, Theodoræ (6 November 2021). "An In-the-Moment Review of the New Porcupine Tree Song That May or May Not Age Poorly Depending on..." Medium. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b Krol, Charlotte (1 November 2021). "Porcupine Tree return with new single 'Harridan' and Closure/Continuation album announcement". NME. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Owen, Matt (1 November 2021). "Porcupine Tree return with first new single in 12 years, Harridan". guitarworld. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Porcupine Tree Return With First New Song In Over A Decade". www.antimusic.com. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  9. ^ Ewing, Jerry (1 November 2021). "Porcupine Tree return with video for brand new song Harridan". Louder. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  10. ^ Porcupine Tree - Harridan (Official Lyric Video), retrieved 1 October 2023
  11. ^ "Porcupine Tree Announces New Album Closure / Continuation, Shares New Song 'Harridan,' First New Music in Almost 12 Years". Sonic Perspectives. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Porcupine Tree – Harridan | Crystal Spotlight". crystalspotlight.com. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  13. ^ BraveWords. "Porcupine Tree Share Air Studios Performance Of "Harridan" (Video)". bravewords.com. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  14. ^ Porcupine Tree - Harridan (In Session, Air Studios), retrieved 1 October 2023
  15. ^ a b Ewingpublished, Jerry (6 November 2023). "Porcupine Tree release new live video for Harridan". louder. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  16. ^ a b Macmillan, Paul (7 November 2023). "Porcupine Tree Share New Live Video for "Harridan" and Announce Live Album". Ghost Cult Magazine. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  17. ^ a b c d Gaudet, Nicholas (17 November 2021). "Review: Harridan – Porcupine Tree". Music Talkers. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  18. ^ DiVita, Joe (3 January 2023). "It Looks Like Reunited Porcupine Tree Will Play Their Last Shows in 2023". Loudwire. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  19. ^ a b "Closure/Continuation.Live out 8th December 2023, now available to pre-order!". Porcupine Tree. 5 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  20. ^ "Porcupine Tree Announce Live Album". 7 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  21. ^ Porcupine Tree - Harridan (CLOSURE/CONTINUATION.LIVE - Official Video), retrieved 16 November 2023
  22. ^ "Porcupine Tree - Harridan (In Session, Air Studios)". Retrieved 6 September 2022 – via YouTube.

External links[edit]

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