My Beautiful England is the third solo studio album by English singer/songwriter David Westlake, released through Tiny Global Productions on 14 October 2022.
My Beautiful England was produced by Des Lambert.
In his book Whatever Happened to the C86 Kids?, Nige Tassell notes that My Beautiful England is WestlakeâÂÂs first all-new album since Play Dusty for Me twenty years ago, and that former Servants bandmate Luke Haines plays guitar on the recording.
Writing for Uncut, Johnny Sharp rated the album eight-out-of-ten, calling it âÂÂa delightâÂÂ. âÂÂWestlake retains great respect from [the C86] eraâÂÂs cognoscentiâÂÂ, he said, and My Beautiful England is âÂÂa Britpop concept album from a man whoâÂÂd surely wince at either labelâÂÂ.
In an in-depth review for Louder Than War, Neil Davenport gave the album a five-out-of-five rating, calling it âÂÂone of the most idiosyncratic, political and blazingly tuneful guitar pop albums [of 2022]âÂÂ. âÂÂItâÂÂs an extraordinary recordâÂÂ, he says, âÂÂa contemporary update on George OrwellâÂÂs critiques of left intelligentsia found in âÂÂEngland Your EnglandâÂÂ.â âÂÂThis is high level stuffâÂÂ, says Davenport; âÂÂNot since Malcom EdenâÂÂs old band McCarthy (but in a completely different historical context) has there been an attempt to intelligently challenge received wisdom.â Musically, âÂÂMy Beautiful England simply triumphs as a consistently great, 14-song guitar pop album. ItâÂÂs packed with some of WestlakeâÂÂs best songs.âÂÂ
Different shows on BBC Radio 6 Music and other BBC stations gave the album regular airplay for several months around its release.
Side one:
Side two: