Florence and The Machine’s new album Everybody Scream produces their usual haunting and cathartic sound.
With its loud drums, belting, and deep-cutting lyrics Everybody Scream is a great album but really similar to many of Florence and The Machine’s past albums.
While listening to one of the new album’s songs, one could think it had already been on a previous album. “And Love,” for example, sounds exactly like “Morning Love” from her previous album, Dance Fever.
However, standout songs like “Sympathy Magic” add a fairy tale-like experience. Florence gives an almost theatrical performance and listeners can hear her feelings through her singing. That is one of the best things about her music, that a listener can hear the story she is trying to provide.
Another strong song is “The Old Religion.” It has a wonderful build up to the bridge and it comments on one of the band’s main concepts, religion and faith.
Lyrically, the album also delves into Florence’s contempt and ever-changing feelings toward masculinity. She calls out her male counterparts within the music industry in “One of the Greats” with the line, ”It must be nice to be a man and make boring music just because you can.”
Overall, this album is beautiful and listening gives an experience unlike any other artist. But the individual songs are at risk of sounding the same as previous ones. Preferably an artist would try to constantly be inventive in their music making and lyrics, but sadly this album falls short of that standard.
