‘Ceremonials’ is one of the most anticipated albums of the year from the one and only Florence and the Machine and it certainly lives up to the high expectations. Produced by Paul Epworth and recorded in his studios and Abbey Road, ‘Ceremonials’ is officially released on 31st October. The wait of three years (‘Lungs’ was released in 2008) has paid off for Miss Welch and her sound has grown to make that career making or breaking second album.
‘Only If For A Night’ kicks off the album, packing a punch as it goes. The dramatic tone which resounds throughout the record is set by the building crescendo of church bells before plunging into a powerful entrance. The orchestral masterpiece combines everything that makes Florence and the Machine brilliant – harps, a full backing choir and magnificent vocals. The song also has a subtle hip hop beat, underpinning the track which nods towards Florence’s ability to develop as an artist.
It is no surprise that ‘Shake It Out’ and ‘What The Water Gave Me’ were the two tracks chosen to be released prior to the album as they are definitely stand out tracks which are lyrically beautiful, typical of ‘Lungs’, with more bellowing organs and sublime vocals.
Influence of gospel music and blues are omnipresent throughout ‘Ceremonials’ and shown off best in ‘Never Let Me Go’ and ‘Lover To Lover’, the former which is the epitome of a proper power ballad and the latter which is just finger-shakin’, toe tappin’ infectiousness and both demonstrate Florence’s immense vocal ability. The sense taken from the whole of the record is of how Florence has taken control of her voice, which ran away from her at times on ‘Lungs’.
Another growth from ‘Lungs’ is reflected in Florence and the Machine’s flirtation with several genres on the new record. With a hypnotizing beat drenched in black kohl and ritualistic lyrics like “Seven devils all around you / Seven devils in your house…I’ll be dead before the day is done / Before the day is done”, ‘Seven Devils’ channels tribal goth. On the other hand, ‘Spectrum’ is fast paced with more of a dance vibe and screams of remix gold dust. It is not, however, without the Florence stamp of a harp interlude and climatic gospel-esque vocals. This is one of the tracks on the album which nods towards the influence of Drake who was rumoured to feature on the album, although this collaboration never materializes.
The album is only let down by ‘All This And Heaven Too’ and ‘Breaking Down’ which stray from the big tracks and dabble more with melt-in-your-mouth pop which, whilst having their own charm, seem somewhat out of place on this album full of powerful songs which each pack a punch in their own right. However, you still can’t seem to blame the wonderful Welch who is practically perfect in every way.
A second album for any artist is hard and for Florence and the Machine, the pressure must be even more intense. ‘Ceremonials’ is a polished record which has smoothed the rough edges of ‘Lungs’ and shows that Florence and the Machine are back, bigger and better than ever.
