The Virtues – Original Series Soundtrack

Record Details

Release
2019

Invada Records is proud to announce the digital release of “The Virtues – Original Series Soundtrack”.  The album features five original pieces of music provided by PJ Harvey to the lauded Channel 4 drama, as well as a new song, “The Crowded Cell”, from the closing credits.  The digital release also includes tracks from Aphex Twin, Lisa Hannigan, Set Fire to Flames and Toydrum, among others.

Starring BAFTA-nominated Stephen Graham (This is England, ’86, ’88, ’90, Boardwalk Empire, Line of Duty) as Joseph, alongside Irish actors Helen Behan and Niamh Algar, the four-part drama tackles themes of repressed memory, apocalyptic revenge and the hope of redemption. It has received great acclaim by UK critics, particularly for the superb acting performances, and the exceptionally powerful writing and directing.

“Giving The Virtues a rating out of five feels like trying to pin a rosette on a tornado…the final 20 minutes of The Virtues will stand as one of the most intense passages in TV fiction” ***** The Guardian (UK)

“Deeply impressive” **** The Independent (UK)

“The credits rolled to the sound of the PJ Harvey song written for the series, where she sang, “You will remember this.” That’s for certain.” ***** The Daily Telegraph (UK)

PJ Harvey said: “I am so happy to have provided the original music for this extraordinary and powerful new drama by a director I have admired and followed all my life. Shane has a unique directness and sensibility to his work which I am drawn to and aspire to in my own work, so our collaboration was open and trusting.  I sent Shane ideas as demos for him to try out as he edited and let him choose what he used and where to greatest effect. In the end we both loved how the demos worked so left them as they were, again adding to the raw beauty of the piece.”

The Virtues has already won the Grand Prix and Best Actor Awards at 2019’s SERIES MANIA, one of Europe’s biggest TV events.

“Masterfully directed, written and acted, the show is a prime example of the power of series television to illuminate and create empathy,” the International Competition jury, led by screenwriter-producer Marti Noxon, said in a statement, adding that Graham’s performance “is simply stunning. His powerfully raw portrayal of a man coming to grips with his past and himself is truly heart-breaking.”

Written by Shane Meadows and Jack Thorne (This is England, ’86, ’88, ’90, National Treasure), The Virtues is directed by Meadows and produced by Mark Herbert (This Is England, ’86, ’88, ’90) and Nickie Sault. The four-part series was commissioned for Channel 4 and was overseen by Channel 4’s Head of Drama Caroline Hollick. It is a Warp Films and Big Arty production.

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Record Tracklist

  1. Prayer
  2. When Sorrow Shoots Her Darts
  3. Jesus Song (Rival Consoles Rework)
  4. Beneath The Rose
  5. Submerge
  6. Death
  7. Flowers
  8. The Flames Beyond The Cold Mountain
  9. Gwely Mernans
  10. If The Truth Hurts
  11. The Lonely Wolf
  12. Cutting Into Flesh
  13. Subterranean
  14. The Crowded Cell
    The Crowded Cell

    I’m in a crowded cell.
    The super calls my name.
    He shoves me in a room.
    He calls two soldiers in.
    They clamp my head with irons.
    Their hands becoming fists.
    You will see us again.
    You will remember this.
    They tie me up with ropes.
    They beat my legs with sticks.
    I cannot use my legs.
    They drag me to a desk.
    Behind it sits a man.
    Fingernails are on the floor.
    He laughs and asks, What kind
    of freedom do you want?
    They push me down the stairs.
    I’m lying on the ground.
    Behind a cellar door,
    I hear two women howl.
    I see three men on racks.
    Their hands tied to their feet.
    Their faces pinched with clamps.
    Guards pulling at their teeth.
    They drag me to the gate.
    They dump me on the ground.
    The super laughs and says,
    Walk to your freedom now!

    This image on repeat;
    A mouth that cannot speak.
    A huge force pressing in.
    A giant, looming fist.
    You will see us again.
    You will remember this.