Artist Spotlight: Florence and The Machine
- Hadley Homan
- Sep 20
- 4 min read
One of my favorite bands, Florence and the Machine, is a talented, powerful, and impressive group of musicians who produce music I can only describe as ethereal. They are labeled as an "Indie" rock band, but what makes them such an amazing group of musicians is their ability to stretch the bounds of musical genres to create powerful, beautiful, moving songs. Each album has a unique overall sound, with each song taking on its own sense of storytelling.
The lead singer of this band is Florence Welch, with keyboardist Isabella Summers, guitarist Rob Ackroyd, drummer Christopher Lloyd Hayden and harpist Tom Monger. They create a sound that us incomparable to any other music I've ever listened to before, with the lyricism combining perfectly with dramatic, powerful sounds of both modern and classical instrumentals.
Florence Welch is the primary songwriter of the band, and her lyrical genius is what connects me to their music so strongly. Florence is a poet as well as a songwriter, which shows through her use of occasional spoken word as well as the sweeping, poignant nature of the writing. She often writes about deeply personal, powerful experiences and struggles, including her struggles with alcoholism, the intricacies of love, and the concept of femininity in the modern world.
Florence and the Machine moves audiences not only with their music but with their presences in their performances. They are so truly talented at evoking deep emotional depth and creating stories within their songs. Listeners experience the music as much as listen to it. Their performances are ethereal, evoking watching the beauty of the elements themselves, powerful and lovely at the same time.
Where to Start?
If you are willing to give this band a shot, I recommend listening to their album Dance Fever first. This album is deeply emotional, with a passionate, melancholy, yet free-spirited tone. The emotions she explores are laid out to be experienced by the listener, not just heard or even understood. Her vocals can only be described as exceptional and singular. No one can replicate the sweeping transitions from low, serious verses to theatrical, sweeping prolonged harmonies and high notes that make it impossible not to become engrossed in the world she creates with every lyric. This album is an experience I highly recommend to any music enjoyer.
It begins with "King." This song is the perfect opening of the album. It begins softly introducing a relatable yet infinitely complex struggle with identity. There is a dark undertone to the music, with harsh drums, intense use of guitar, and Florence's vocals giving the softest notes to the song even a she sings about being lost, angry, and fighting an inner battle with darkness. The song progresses, building tension and increasing pace with faster percussion that blends effortlessly with the outstanding vocals and the guitar that binds the two so well together. Some of the most powerful lyrics in the song to me are:
"But a woman is a changeling, always shifting shape
Just when you think you have it figured out
Something new begins to take
What strange claws are these scratching at my skin?
I never knew my killer would be coming from within
I am no mother, I am no bride, I am king"
She reclaims power over her sense of self, her very identity, through an exploration of the darkness and emotional struggles within herself. This powerful journey creates a song both beautiful and moving.
This is immediately followed by "Free," one of my favorite songs from their whole discography. This song takes on a much more upbeat tone while still evoking the overcoming of inner turmoil, with a sound new to the band.
It uses their usual base of percussion, mostly drums, to set the pace and tone, with guitar, keyboard, and harp creating a more melodic air to the song. Florence's vocals shine more than I've ever heard them shine before, truly binding all of the sounds together into an experience of true joy. This song exudes euphoria. It describes letting go of your troubles, moving past your pain, and living life with joy, freely. The repetition of the verse "I am Free" combined with the composition of this fast paced, positive, ameliorative sound made me emotional the first time I heard it, and it still holds a special place in my heart. It still makes me feel lighter, as if I can overcome anything.
While all of the songs on this album are exceptional, my next favorite is "Cassandra." This song feels like a folk story. The lyrics detail a first person account of a woman whose power is taken away for fear of her greatness, her artistry, her success. It begins with keys and guitar setting a slow, soft, melancholy tone, with haunting vocals backing the story, full of vivid images. The song then quickly picks up with the addition of drums, the lyrics and vocals becoming more passionate. The emotional weight of the lyrics is palpable, the sound intoxicating.
The last of my favorite songs from this album is "The Bomb." This song takes on a different tone than the rest of the album. It is soft, melancholy, and regretful throughout. The vocals remain beautiful, reaching to long harmonious high notes and descending into soft, thoughtful tones. It details a failure, a moment in life that didn't result in the outcome desired. It is deeply relatable, exploring love and regret with a song that exudes a calming, therapeutic vibe.
This whole album evokes deep emotional connection between the musicians and the listeners. Their writing, sound, and presence is truly singular among musicians. No one else can compare to the weaving of storytelling, emotional authenticity, and creative vision sow through the theatrical, dramatic, ethereal music of Florence and the Machine.
If you think you've never heard of them, you have likely at least heard of their song "The Dog Days Are Over," which was repopularized after being featured in the 3rd Guardians of The Galaxy movie. This song is just one example of the talent of this amazing band. To me, the songs I described above are far more powerful and beautiful, and chances are that you might feel the same way and fall in love with them the way I did if you give them a chance. There are so may amazing songs for you to enjoy by this band.
I hope you are inspired to expand your musical horizons and experience Florence and the Machine!
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