Florence + the Machine premiered the evocative new video for “Big God,” the third track to be released from Florence + the Machine’s hugely anticipated fourth studio album High As Hope, out June 29. The video is choreographed by Akram Khan and Florence and directed by Autumn de Wilde.
When the videos opens, Florence is standing on a reflective floor surrounded by darkness, surrounded by women draped in a rainbow of colors. They start moving, ghostly and ethereal in interpretive dance while a resonant piano plays a stripped down melody in the background.
At some point the dancers start to scatter and it is evident what is causing the reflection— water. that pools and splashes at their feet.
There is some Christ imagery, not the least the explicit mention of Jesus Christ in the song. The the presence of water and dancing in it heavily evokes baptism. In one moment Florence raises her arms and the dancers lift into the air with only their legs visible on camera before they descend to the floor.
What is also very evident as well as impressive, is Florence’s dance skills Her input in the choreography shows in how the movements clearly hew to Florence’s style and ability.The movements are smooth and powerful; at moments, Florence and the dancers move in perfect synchronicity.
Florence discussed how the dance came into her mind, fully formed. “It’s always been a very physical song. I saw a dance piece in my head as I was writing it, so to co-choreograph something with Akram Khan was a huge honor,” she said. “Autumn de Wilde fully understood what I was trying to do. The power of the desire within the void, left with yourself to rage and wonder and really it is yourself you are raging against. Not the ghost.”
Check out the video for “Big God” below.
Photo credit: Sharon Alagana
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