By Danielle Smith
Staff Writer
Florence + The Machine released their third studio album, “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful”, on Monday, June 2. Overall the album is an outstanding collection of eleven emotion evoking songs that highlight the incredible vocal talent of Florence Welch while accompanied by a variety of instruments throughout the album.
The distinct sound created by Florence + The Machine’s integration of background singers and instrumental solos flows smoothly throughout the entire album. Each song blends into the next with steady transitions and a consistent storyline about the hardships of love, making the album more than successful.
Florence + The Machine stuck to their indie rock and soul roots by incorporating primarily a blend of guitars, percussion, and keyboard. This up-and-coming English band has created a brilliant dynamic album due to steady beats and empowering lyrics.
Although some of the songs are repetitive, the listener’s attention is instantly grabbed by the outstanding voice and vocal range of lead singer, Florence Welch. Symbolic lyrics spanning throughout the entire album weave together the story of a broken heart and overcoming a difficult breakup.
Excitement in the opening song, “Ship to Wreck”, fades within the first half of the album, hitting a low point in “Various Storms & Saints”. The building excitement in intruiging and it catches and holds onto the attention of the listener and the album closes with a spectacular guitar solo at the end of “Mother”.
The beat created by the use of percussion instruments creates a mood that builds intensity. Many songs feature layered background voices blended with instruments to develop a feeling of empowerment and hopefulness that makes this collection of songs a perfect post break up album, targeted to attract female listeners.
Each of the eleven songs fade flawlessly into the next. The sounds created in one song carry over to the next and as a result, the song arrangement of “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful” is enhanced and creates a pleasurable experience for the listener.
Florence + The Machine cleverly evokes emotion in listeners with the use of symbolic lyrics. These insights into the hardships of love are portrayed through repetitive lyrics that highlight important words and phrases. The name of each song is connected to a deeper meaning when it is mentioned within the lyrics giving each song a unique reason to listen.
Keyboard player, Isabella Summers, plays in all eleven songs of “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful”. Her talent is made apparent through a variety of sound effects she creates. Accompanied by Mark Saunders, the bass guitarist, they create a smooth flow in each song, significantly enhancing the sound.
Critics and listeners alike have high expectations for this album due to Florence + The Machine’s previous successful albums, “Lungs” and “Ceremonials”. The album brilliantly highlights Florence + The Machine’s amazing vocals and encompasses their musical talent as a whole. Its unique sound brings variety to the indie rock and soul genres.
“How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful” is now available for purchase on iTunes for $9.99 for the original eleven tracks or $12.99 for an additional five bonus tracks.
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