EVERYBODY IS SCREAMING ABOUT THIS NEW ALBUM

Everybody Scream has a familiar witchy feel to it. Photo: Spotify

Florence and The Machine have released their new album Everybody Scream ahead of their tour starting next year. 

Produced by the likes of Mark Bowen from IDLES, their sixth studio album features 12 tracks and 4 bonus songs in the Chamber version. The release on October 31st this year marks three years since their last album release of “Dance Fever” in 2022. 

The halloween release is fitting for the hypnotic, chilling sound that lead singer Florence Welch has embraced for this new album. The lead single, “Everybody Scream”, explores Florence’s relationship with being on stage - she constantly returns to performing, despite the physical and emotional toll it takes on her. This type of vulnerability, although portrayed through metaphors, is a running theme throughout all of her music, and it is great to see her still be so open and honest to her audience even after decades of being in the business. 

Florence and The Machine have always treated their songs like spells. This album is no different. Their familiar witchy feel is paired with new existential thoughts and feelings. The song “Drink Deep” sounds as if Welch is casting a curse, with wind chimes and the beat of an ancient drum backing her powerful vocals. Other songs, such as “Music by Men”, discuss femininity and what it means to be a woman in the music industry. The line, “Breaking my bones, getting four out of five” alludes to when Welch injured herself on stage, and received a bad rating despite powering on through. As a woman in the music industry, even her best isn’t enough. 

Florence has stated that this album is inspired by the emotional journey she lived through - she underwent life-saving surgery during the creation of the album and the end of her 2023 “Dance Fever” tour. There is no optimistic ending to this album. Instead, the tracks play out as an expression of the human experience. It doesn’t shy away from the worst parts, instead channelling the negative emotions produced by it into a piece of art, one that isn’t molded to perfection but instead channels the rage and sadness she felt making the album. 

In a recent interview, The “Dog Days Are Over” singer stated: “The gift of going through something awful is that you can embrace someone who’s been through it too.” This is what the album does. It helps you welcome the anger you may feel, but instead of encouraging you to let it blind you and let it fester, Florence creates an outlet through her music, a release that helps her be at peace with her frustration. 

The album might not have an optimistic send off, but the final song, “And Love” has a fleeting feeling of hope and restoration. This is evident in the line “Peace is coming.” She may not have gotten over her hurt just yet, but leaves her audience with a more positive note, that the best is yet to come.