How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Island
Release date: May 29, 2015
By Shawal Ras
Follow @shawalras
I was obsessed with Florence + the Machine's whole Illuminati-meet-Wiccan-esque aesthetic in their previous LP, Ceremonials. But their new effort is nothing like what we've heard before, and despite my negative tone, this is an enjoyable record for that drive-time under LA sun.
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful was released last Friday (ICYMI: on my birthday - yay!) and I am 60/40 about it.
To be honest, this is way off from their previous records. I mean, Ceremonials was one of the best records released in 2011, and not to forget their debut, Lungs, which got 'em right under my attention with their originality and unique tribal sound.
But. Imma put this new record as a signal of a fresher F+M. This LP is filled with songs about love (which all of us can relate to, actually), and I don't know, but this album is kind of a departure of the group's British sonic, and more of an introduction to their new and oh-so-American sound.
And thanks to that whole 70's rock feel to it, I kinda like this one.
My ultimate fav is the fourth track: 'Queen of Peace'. I can totally imagine Ms. Welch and her flowy red hair running amidst a peace-demanding crowd at night. She might be half high, noting that the 70's was filled with hippies and joints (and orgies!).
Other than that, some of my favs are 'Ship to Wreck', 'Long & Lost', 'Mother', 'Delilah', and 'What Kind of Man'. That last one is an ode of our frustrations with love over thumping brass and atmospheric entrance. I really really really like that one.
In conclusion, ignoring my uncertainty about this, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is indeed a joyful return of Florence + the Machine to the scene. You may purchase the album via iTunes (or be a sweetheart and buy the vinyl version 'cos the album is cool liddat).
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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