PJ Harvey’s fifth album opens with “Big Exit”, a strutting rocker that plants the shape-shifting English singer’s flag amidst early-’00s New York’s grungy downtown clubs. Stories explores Harvey’s softer side, but her approach to rock on this tightly wound, yet open-hearted collection is no less commanding; she melds twisted riffs and pummelling drums with wide-eyed lyrics. “Good Fortune” unspools its love story through city snapshots and singsong verses, while the simmering “This Mess We’re In” commingles Harvey’s moan with Thom Yorke’s yowl.