Florence + The Machine
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
(Island)
Florence Welch has admitted that in the time she took off between the multi-platinum success of 2011's Ceremonials and the recording of this, her third album, she had "a bit of a nervous breakdown". The lyrical proof is there on opening track Ship To Wreck: "Did I drink too much?/Am I losing touch?/Did I build a ship to wreck?"
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is not, however, a stripped-back confessional about the perils of success. It's another artillery attack of an album, with huge orchestral swathes of strings and brass, and a vocal performance that's set a couple of volume notches higher than everything that surrounds it.
Most of the gothic melodrama and tribal drums of the past have been set aside, and instead the album looks towards American pop-rock as guitars get heavier and backing vocals grow chorally thick. This is not a subtle experience - nor would anyone expect that with Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire, Mumford And Sons, Coldplay) bringing his customary bombast as producer.
Thankfully the tunes mostly match the album's pretensions. And when Welch does soften the mood, as on St Jude, the warmer tones of her voice, free of multi-tracking and histrionic force, are given room to breathe. It may be the best vocal performance she's ever given, simply because she doesn't try to bring the house down.
Alan Morrison
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