'Amplified Heart' by Everything But The Girl

A sometimes forgotten masterpiece from 1994 will never go out of style.

Everything But The Girl first recorded music in 1982. Hailing from Hull in Yorkshire, which has a large history of folk music and culture—one of the biggest in the United Kingdom. The 1960s UK folk revival included popular acts from Yorkshire Tykes like The Watersons, Julie Matthews, Kate Rusby, and many more. Could this be part of singer/songwriter Tracey Thorn’s influence from her time studying at the University of Hull, where she also met bandmate Ben Watt? By the way—I think Thorn and Sandy Denny, a voice that came out of the aforementioned 60s folk revival, have some of the best voices in the history of UK music. 

‘Amplified Heart,’ the 1994 release by Everything But The Girl, is a masterful blend of soul-searching, subtle, sophisticated pop that remains just as moving today. It was sort of a hidden gem in the British duo's catalog and gained popularity through a remix of “Missing” by Todd Terry just a year later. The 10-track album captures the vulnerability of love, loss, and healing, wrapped in rich melodies with Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn’s beautiful harmonies. The production is stripped down, and Thorn’s voice, especially on tracks like “Get Me” and Missing," is hauntingly restrained but deeply passionate. That’s what makes this album’s emotional weight and sincerity memorable. Instead of aiming for swanky hooks or loud arrangements, Everything But The Girl created an intimate and personal sound, drawing listeners further in. Their minimalistic approach highlights their songwriting and Thorn’s powerful, hushed vocal style.

For fans old and those just joining us, the 25th-anniversary (now 30th) re-release on vinyl and CD reminds us why ‘Amplified Heart’ has endured throughout the years. The vinyl reissue also does justice to the album’s overall sound, letting each layer come through vibrantly. The re-release isn’t just a throwback; it's a revival of a timeless work that still resonates. This album will never go out of style.

By the way, the duo’s name comes from a sign at a local furniture shop in Hull.

Until next time…

JB