An impressive and honest album
Florence + the Machine recently released their latest album Dance Fever on May 15, 2022. This is the band’s fifth studio album, which was long-awaited by fans. Florence Welch, the band’s lead, writes about her womanhood, love and uncertainty during the pandemic. She covers these topics with intriguing production which keeps the listener captivated by the use of driving drums, distorted guitars and unforgettable vocals. Florence + the Machine’s newest album is an impressive and honest collection of stories and feelings.
The first track of the album, “King,” is an honest and melancholic revelation of Welch’s feelings. She sings about her struggle in finding and filling her identity while living the lifestyle her career imposes on her; being “no mother” and “no bride.” She sets aside the expectations to fulfill as a woman and decides to focus on her art, and she is “King.” This is an honest and intriguing song with poetic lyrics and alternative accompaniment.
“Dream Girl Evil” explores the expectations put on women to be either perfect or evil in a man’s society. She sings about the two contradicting images and what it means to fulfill each of them. A theme of this album is an exploration of the expectations that society has placed upon women in all aspects of life. “Dream Girl Evil” reflects many of those thematic sentiments. Welch is backed by a strong accompaniment that echos the honesty and angst behind the lyrics.
The eighth track, “Cassandra,” is inspired by a Greek Mythology character who could predict the future but was never believed. She uses the story of Cassandra as a metaphor for her prediction of the COVID-19 pandemic in her song “June,” released in 2018. The accompaniment in “Cassandra” gives off an angry sound with anxiety-filled basslines and eerie vocals.
The following track is titled “Heaven Is Here.” This song creatively utilizes chanting, has percussion to dominate the accompaniment and the vocals follow the lead of said accompaniment. Welch chants for most of it and even speaks at the end, creating an eerie, yet very poetic piece. It makes Welch sound especially powerful and in control as she tells her expectations to her partner.
The third single from the album “My Love” is a high-energy and poetic track. Welch sings about the writer’s block she experienced during the pandemic amidst all the uncertainty. She wonders what to do with her thoughts without being able to write or perform during this time. While the lyrics are sad, the accompaniment is powerful and full. The song features a dance beat, but still maintains their alternative rock sound.
Overall, Florence + the Machine’s newest album, Dance Fever, is an impressive work that explores the feelings and struggles Florence Welch has faced as a young woman and her thoughts that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is an excellent addition for any fan of their previous works.
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