Florence + The Machine
How Big How Blue How Beautiful
June 1 2015 (Island)
8/10
Words: Alison Mack
Striding back into the main frame after 2011’s 'Ceremonials', Florence Welch partners up with Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire, Björk) on production for this, her third album that transpires to be a diverse 11-track work, from blues rock to pop to ballad, and more.
'HBHBHB' retains the same bold and impressive Welch vocal, though here they not only get to grips with the powerful deliverance on the full on banger that is 'What Kind Of Man', but also touch on the driving likes of 'Ship To Wreck' with its xylophone and drums, illustrious energy in 'Third Eye' - where Welch ministers that, “you deserve to be loved" - as well as a blast of blues-pop on closer, 'Mother'.
Elsewhere, there are periods of calm such as 'Various Storms & Saints' - all ethereal guitar - and 'St Jude' which sees the Florence vocal command over soft keyboards in a song about loss.
A confident work, that shines with lyrical intensity that is sometimes big, sometimes blue, and makes for a welcome return for the songstress in a beautiful way.
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