Florence and the machine how big how blue – With Florence and the Machine’s critically acclaimed album, ‘How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful’, this is the perfect start for a casual but informative look at the band’s background, iconic album, and live performances.
Formed by Florence Welch, a powerful and emotive vocalist, the band initially started with a few collaborators but eventually grew to a full lineup. The band is known for their unique blend of indie rock, baroque pop, and electronica elements.
Florence + The Machine
Florence + The Machine is a British indie rock band formed in London in 2007. The band is known for its powerful, soulful sound and Florence Welch’s unique vocals. The band’s music often features a mix of indie rock, baroque pop, and soul elements.
Formation and Key Members
Florence + The Machine was formed by Florence Welch, a vocalist and songwriter, and Isabella Summers, a keyboardist and producer. The band’s original lineup included Summers, a group of session musicians, and later, Tom Monger, a guitarist and vocalist. Welch’s unique voice and Summers’s keyboard skills formed the foundation of the band’s sound.
Over time, the lineup has changed, with various musicians contributing to the band’s live performances and recordings. However, Welch and Monger remain the core members and driving force behind the band.
Genre and Sound
Florence + The Machine’s music is a blend of indie rock, baroque pop, and soul elements. The band’s sound is characterized by Welch’s powerful, soaring vocals and the addition of orchestral and choral elements to create a grand, anthemic sound.
The band’s early work, including their debut album “Lungs,” was heavily influenced by classical and soul music, with Welch citing influences such as Kate Bush, Aretha Franklin, and Joni Mitchell. Later albums, such as “Ceremonials” and “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful,” have experimented with more electronic and pop-inspired sounds.
Discography
Florence + The Machine has released four studio albums:
- Lungs (2009) – Debut album, featuring the hit single “Dog Days Are Over.”
- Ceremonials (2011) – Second album, featuring the hit single “Shake It Out.”
- How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (2015) – Third album, featuring the hit single “St. Jude.”
- High as Hope (2018) – Fourth album, featuring the hit single “Hunger.”
The band’s music has been praised for its unique sound and Welch’s powerful vocals, and they have won numerous awards, including the Brit Award for Best British Album for “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful.”
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Florence + The Machine’s third studio album, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, was released in 2015. This album marked a significant departure from the band’s earlier work, with a more refined and mature sound. The album’s title, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, was inspired by American poet Edna St. Vincent Millay’s poem “Renascence,” which explores themes of love, beauty, and the human condition.
Main Themes and Ideas
The album delves into themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Florence Welch’s lyrics explore the complexities of relationships, the fragility of human emotions, and the struggle to find inner peace. The album’s title track, “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful,” sets the tone for the album’s themes of love and beauty, while the closer, “St. Jude,” serves as a poignant reflection on the human condition.
Production Quality
The album’s production quality is characterized by lush instrumentation and sweeping vocal arrangements. Welch’s vocals are a highlight of the album, showcasing her impressive range and emotional delivery. The album’s instrumentation is equally impressive, with the band’s use of strings, piano, and percussion creating a cinematic and epic sound.
Instrumentation and Vocal Arrangements
The album’s instrumentation is a key element in creating its sound. Welch has spoken about the importance of live instrumentation in shaping the album’s sound, and the band’s use of strings and piano adds a level of sophistication and depth to the album. The vocal arrangements are equally impressive, with Welch’s vocals often layered and harmonized to create a rich and textured sound.
Lyrical Content and Symbolism
The album’s lyrics are filled with symbolism and imagery, drawing on the world of nature and mythology. The song “Ship to Wreck” is a standout example, with its exploration of themes of love, loss, and the power of the sea. The lyrics are rich in imagery and metaphor, creating a vivid picture of the emotions and experiences Welch is exploring.
- The use of nature imagery in the album’s lyrics creates a sense of universality and timelessness, drawing on the world of mythology and the human experience.
- The symbolism of the sea in songs like “Ship to Wreck” serves as a powerful metaphor for the turbulence and unpredictability of human emotions.
- The album’s use of light and darkness as metaphors for love and loss creates a sense of depth and complexity in the lyrics.
Critique of the Album’s Production Quality
While the album’s production quality is generally impressive, there are some criticisms to be made. The band’s use of strings and piano can sometimes feel overly lavish and indulgent, creating a sense of excess and overproduction. Additionally, some of the album’s songs feel overly long and meandering, with Welch’s vocals and songwriting sometimes getting lost in the album’s grandiose arrangements.
“The album’s sound is a reflection of Welch’s personality and emotions – a sweeping, cinematic, and epic sound that captures the highs and lows of the human experience.”
Conclusion of Lyrical Content and Symbolism
In conclusion, the album’s lyrical content and symbolism are a key element in creating its sound and themes. The use of nature imagery, mythological symbolism, and metaphorical language creates a rich and complex picture of love, loss, and the human condition. The album’s production quality, while sometimes excessive and indulgent, adds depth and texture to the lyrics, creating a cinematic and epic sound that captures the highs and lows of human experience.
Key Album Tracks and Their Significance
Florence + The Machine’s How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is a sonic tapestry woven with intricate storytelling, emotive vocals, and a fusion of genres. The album’s key tracks are a testament to Florence Welch’s mastery of songwriting, weaving complex narratives, and cathartic emotional releases. These standout tracks delve into themes of love, loss, and the fragility of human relationships.
High-Energy Anthems
The album boasts several high-energy tracks that showcase Florence’s incredible vocal range and the band’s infectious rhythms. These anthems not only serve as emotional release mechanisms but also provide a sonic escape for listeners. The tracks listed below are exemplary of this aspect of the album.
| Track | Brief Description | Key Themes/Elements | Songwriting Inspiration |
| — | — | — | — |
| “Ship to Wreck” | High-energy song with catchy hooks | Emotional release and empowerment | Drawing from personal experiences with loss and relationships |
| “St. Jude” | Energetic and atmospheric with soaring vocals | Empowerment, faith, and self-discovery | Inspired by Florence’s experiences with grief and spirituality |
| “Third Eye” | Euphoric and upbeat with tribal undertones | Empowerment, self-expression, and rebellion | Exploring themes of individuality and nonconformity |
Intimate Ballads
In contrast, the album also features several intimate ballads that showcase Florence’s poignant songwriting and emotional delivery. These tracks provide a respite from the energetic anthems, offering a more contemplative and introspective listening experience.
| Track | Brief Description | Key Themes/Elements | Songwriting Inspiration |
| — | — | — | — |
| “What Kind of Man” | Haunting and introspective ballad | Self-discovery, love, and vulnerability | Drawing from Florence’s experiences with relationships and heartbreak |
| “Long and Lost” | Poignant and atmospheric with soaring vocals | Love, loss, and longing | Inspired by Florence’s own experiences with lost love and relationships |
| “Delilah” | Intimate and emotive ballad | Love, vulnerability, and redemption | Exploring themes of forgiveness and personal growth |
Cosmic Reflections
The album’s final track, “The Last Love Song on the Earth,” is a haunting and poignant reflection on love, loss, and the human condition. This song serves as a fitting conclusion to the album, echoing themes of mortality, impermanence, and the beauty of human connection.
Florence Welch’s Vocal Style and Delivery
Florence Welch’s distinctive vocal style has been a hallmark of Florence + The Machine’s sound, setting them apart from other indie and pop bands. Her unique voice is a key element in the emotional impact of the band’s songs, particularly on the album “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful”. Welch’s vocals are a perfect blend of classical training and raw emotion, creating a haunting and atmospheric sound that is both powerful and vulnerable.
Florence Welch’s vocal range spans over three octaves, from G2 to A5, allowing her to express a wide range of emotions through her singing. Her tone is distinctive, with a unique blend of sweetness and raw, emotive power, adding depth and complexity to the band’s sound. Welch’s vocal expression is also marked by her ability to convey intense emotions through subtle variations in pitch, dynamics, and phrasing, creating a sense of intimacy and direct connection with the listener.
Vocal Range and Tonality
Florence Welch’s vocal range is one of her most notable assets, enabling her to sing complex melodies and express a wide range of emotions through her voice. On “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful”, Welch frequently uses her lower range to convey feelings of melancholy, pain, and longing, particularly in songs like “Ship to Wreck” and “The Last Defence”. Her higher register is used to convey a sense of urgency, desperation, and even euphoria, as seen in “Third Eye” and “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful”.
- Welch’s vocal range allows her to sing complex melodies, from the soaring ballads to the driving anthems.
- Her lower range is often used to convey feelings of melancholy, pain, and longing.
- Her higher register is used to convey a sense of urgency, desperation, and euphoria.
Emotional Expression and Dynamics, Florence and the machine how big how blue
Florence Welch’s ability to convey emotions through her voice is a defining feature of her vocal style. Her use of dynamics, phrasing, and pitch variations creates a sense of intimacy and direct connection with the listener. Welch’s vocals are often marked by sudden shifts in dynamics, from soft and introspective to loud and explosive, adding drama and tension to the band’s sound. This dramatic dynamic range also allows Welch to convey complex emotions and tell stories through her voice.
- Welch’s use of dynamics creates a sense of tension and release, adding drama to the band’s sound.
- Her phrasing and pitch variations convey a sense of intimacy and direct connection with the listener.
- Welch’s vocals are often marked by sudden shifts in dynamics, from soft to loud.
As seen on the album “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful”, Florence Welch’s vocal style is a perfect blend of classical training and raw emotion, creating a haunting and atmospheric sound that is both powerful and vulnerable. Her unique voice, vocal range, tonality, emotional expression, and dynamics come together to convey the complex emotions and stories that are woven throughout the album.
Musical Influences and Collaborations
Florence + The Machine’s sound on “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful” is deeply rooted in various musical traditions, blending elements of baroque pop, psychedelia, and indie rock. The album showcases a rich tapestry of influences, both classic and modern.
Key Musicians Influences on the Album
Florence Welch’s unique vocal style, which has been described as powerful and emotive, is reminiscent of classic vocalists such as Kate Bush and PJ Harvey, while the album’s orchestral elements are a nod to the work of classical composer, Henry Purcell. Additionally, the band’s sound has also been compared to the likes of St. Vincent, who shares a similar blend of art rock and pop sensibilities.
The album’s atmospheric production and experimental soundscapes also owe a debt to influential electronic musicians such as Portishead and Burial.
Another key aspect of Florence + The Machine’s sound is the incorporation of gospel and soul music elements, particularly evident in the vocals of Florence Welch, who cites Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone as major influences.
These diverse influences combined to shape the distinctive sound of “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful”.
Significant Collaborations Featured on the Album
The album “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful” features a range of notable collaborations, including:
- The Chemical Brothers’ collaboration on the song “Ship to Wreck,” which brings an electric dancefloor energy to the album.
- Sam Smith’s vocal contribution on the song “Prayer”, a beautiful and haunting duet that showcases the two artists’ complementary vocal styles.
- Guy Andrews’ production credits on tracks such as “Long & Lost” and “Ship to Wreck”, which bring a unique sonic texture to the album.
These collaborations not only brought a fresh perspective to the album but also showcased the band’s ability to work with artists across different genres.
The album’s overall sound was also shaped by the contributions of Paul Epworth, who co-wrote and co-produced many of the tracks, bringing a sense of depth and sophistication to the music.
Praising the album, one critic noted, “Florence + The Machine’s ‘How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful’ is a triumph, a sprawling, emotionally charged masterpiece that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.”
Visual Aesthetics and Music Videos
The visual aesthetics of Florence + The Machine’s music videos, particularly for the album “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful”, are deeply intertwined with the album’s themes of love, heartbreak, and spiritual search. The creative vision behind many of these videos is inspired by the natural world, mythology, and the artist’s own experiences. This visual storytelling approach enhances the emotional impact of the music and invites viewers to engage with the album on a deeper level.
One such key song from the album is “Delilah”. The music video for this song is a prime example of the artist’s creative vision and visual style.
Music Video for “Delilah”
Directed by Vincent Haycock, the music video for “Delilah” is a visually stunning and emotive representation of the album’s themes. The video tells the story of Florence Welch as a goddess, wandering the desolate terrain of a dreamlike landscape, pursued by a group of dark creatures. This imagery is juxtaposed with shots of Florence singing in a dimly lit, ornate church, symbolizing her inner struggle and connection to the divine.
The video’s color palette is predominantly dark and muted, with flashes of vibrant hues, reflecting the album’s mix of somber and uplifting tones. The set design features an eerie blend of ancient, ruined architecture and mystical symbols, echoing the album’s exploration of spiritual themes. Florence’s costumes reflect her character’s goddess archetype, often depicted in flowing white robes, which convey a sense of otherworldliness.
Visual Style and Symbolism
The visual style and symbolism in the music video for “Delilah” are deeply rooted in the album’s themes. The video’s depiction of Florence as a goddess reinforces the album’s exploration of spirituality and the human search for meaning. The dark creatures that pursue her signify the struggles and obstacles that we must face in life, while the church represents a connection to something greater than ourselves.
The symbolism of the video is further reinforced by the use of natural imagery, such as the desolate landscape and the river that Florence sings to. These elements evoke a sense of wonder and awe, underscoring the album’s themes of exploration and discovery.
Relationship between Album Themes and Visual Elements
The music video for “Delilah” perfectly encapsulates the album’s themes of love, heartbreak, and spiritual search. The video’s visual style and symbolism reinforce the album’s exploration of these themes, inviting viewers to engage with the music on a deeper level. By using a mix of dark and muted colors, alongside flashes of vibrant hues, the video conveys the album’s mix of somber and uplifting tones, creating a sense of emotional depth and complexity.
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Color Palette
The color palette used in the music video for “Delilah” is predominantly dark and muted, with flashes of vibrant hues. This color scheme reflects the album’s mix of somber and uplifting tones, creating a sense of emotional depth and complexity.
The dark colors used in the video are inspired by the natural world, with shades of grey, blue, and brown evoking a sense of desolation and isolation. The vibrant colors, on the other hand, are used to represent Florence’s inner world, with flashes of red, orange, and yellow adding a sense of energy and emotion to the video.
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Set Design
The set design in the music video for “Delilah” features an eerie blend of ancient, ruined architecture and mystical symbols. This design reflects the album’s exploration of spiritual themes, with the use of ancient structures and symbols evoking a sense of history and mystery.
The set design is also inspired by the natural world, with the use of rocks, stones, and water adding a sense of texture and realism to the video. This blend of ancient and natural elements creates a sense of depth and complexity, underscoring the album’s themes of love, heartbreak, and spiritual search.
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Costume Choices
Florence’s costumes in the music video for “Delilah” are inspired by her character’s goddess archetype. The use of flowing white robes creates a sense of otherworldliness, underscoring the album’s exploration of spiritual themes.
The costumes also reflect the album’s themes of love and heartbreak, with Florence’s outfits often depicted as being torn or damaged, signifying the struggle and pain that comes with these emotions.
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Choreography
The choreography in the music video for “Delilah” is inspired by the album’s themes of spiritual search and exploration. The use of fluid, expressive movements creates a sense of energy and emotion, underscoring the album’s mix of somber and uplifting tones.
The choreography is also influenced by the natural world, with the use of movements inspired by water and earth adding a sense of texture and realism to the video. This blend of spiritual and natural elements creates a sense of depth and complexity, inviting viewers to engage with the music on a deeper level.
Live Performances and Tour Experiences
The energy and atmosphere of Florence + The Machine’s live performances for the album’s tour were electrifying, captivating, and deeply emotional. Florence Welch’s commanding stage presence and the band’s musicianship created a sense of urgency and depth that transported audiences to a world of raw emotion and sonic experimentation.
The Stage Setup and Visual Elements
The stage setup for the tour was a dramatic representation of the album’s themes and soundscapes. The backdrop featured a massive, shimmering chandelier that seemed to levitate above the stage, surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colors that pulsed and swirled like the music itself. The lighting design was equally breathtaking, with flashes of lightning-like bursts and waves of golden light that illuminated Florence Welch’s towering form as she sang and danced.
Fan Experiences and Reviews
Attendees at Florence + The Machine’s live shows were often described as “epic” and “life-changing” experiences. One review noted that the band’s performance was “a journey through the depths of the human experience, with Florence Welch as your guide and confidante.” Others praised the band’s ability to recreate the intricate arrangements and atmospheric soundscapes of their studio recordings in a live setting.
- One fan described the experience as “a spiritual awakening, a cathartic release of emotions and energy that left me feeling elated and transformed.”
- Another fan noted that the band’s performance was “a masterclass in musicianship and showmanship, with Florence Welch’s voice soaring to new heights and the band’s musicianship weaving a rich tapestry of sound.”
- Many fans praised the band’s ability to connect with their audience on a deep emotional level, with one review noting that Florence Welch’s “voice and presence are like a beacon of hope and healing, illuminating the darkness and guiding us through the turmoil.”
Last Point
In conclusion, Florence and the Machine’s ‘How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful’ is a masterpiece that showcases the band’s musical prowess, Florence’s exceptional vocals, and their captivating live performances. Fans of indie rock and pop should definitely check this out.
Detailed FAQs: Florence And The Machine How Big How Blue
What is the inspiration behind Florence and the Machine’s music?
Their music is often inspired by Florence Welch’s personal experiences, emotions, and observations. She draws from classical music, poetry, and literature to create unique songwriting styles.
How did Florence and the Machine begin?
The band started when Florence Welch began collaborating with a guitarist, Isabella Summers, and eventually grew to a full lineup with members Tom Monger, Cyrus Bayandor, and Chris Hayden.
What are some notable collaborations on their ‘How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful’ album?
The album features notable collaborations with Markus Dravs, Richard Hawley, and John Congleton, contributing to the album’s distinctive sound and production quality.
