This Is Hardcore

Released in March 1998, This Is Hardcore stands as the sixth studio album from the legendary English band Pulp, following their monumental breakthrough with Different Class. The anticipation was palpable, but as with any major success, it came with its own set of challenges.

In the years post-Different Class, tension brewed within the band, culminating in the departure of guitarist and violinist Russell Senior. Lead singer Jarvis Cocker found himself retreating to New York for solitude and inspiration, a move that would ultimately shape the album’s introspective themes. Despite these trials, This Is Hardcore debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, although its first-week sales of just over 50,000 were significantly lower than its predecessor’s.

Critically, the album was well received, earning Pulp a third consecutive nomination for the Mercury Prize in 1998. The album’s cover art, a collaboration between Peter Saville and American painter John Currin, stirred controversy with its provocative imagery, inciting graffiti reactions on London Underground posters that boldly declared, “This Offends Women” and “This is Sexist.”

The title track’s music video, directed by Doug Nichol, was hailed as one of the best of all time by NME, and the album was later expanded with a bonus live CD titled This Is Glastonbury. In 2006, a deluxe edition was released, featuring B-sides, demos, and rarities, ensuring the album’s legacy continued to resonate.

Musically, This Is Hardcore offers a darker, more complex sound than its bright and bouncy predecessor. Critics hailed it as a daring exploration of life’s less glamorous moments, with Rolling Stone noting it played “like a movie, a series of scenes from a life.” Jarvis Cocker’s poetic observations on midlife disillusionment shine through, showcasing a profound maturity in both songwriting and sound. Nick Hornby, in Spin, celebrated Cocker as “England’s unofficial poet laureate,” while The Chicago Tribune praised the album’s sumptuous arrangements, blending lounge-lizard rock with unexpected elements.

In retrospect, This Is Hardcore captures a poignant moment in time, marked by feelings of surrender and regret. Matthew Horton from NME aptly described it as a rejection of the Britpop phenomenon, an epitaph to a band’s fleeting fame. The haunting beauty of tracks like “A Little Soul” showcases Cocker’s lyrical genius, drawing comparisons to Smokey Robinson’s emotive classics.

Recognised as an essential listen, This Is Hardcore is included in 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die and has been ranked among the greatest albums in various retrospectives. Its blend of introspection and wit solidifies Pulp’s place in music history, marking a profound evolution from the exuberance of Britpop to a more contemplative, artistic phase.