THE LATEST UPDATES
Take a look below for all the latest news, features, interviews, photos and more
New single ‘Free’ released
Check out the new single Free, along with the music video, taken from Dance Fever and directed by Autumn De Wilde
Following the epic return of Florence and the Machine to the live scene over the last week, the band have released their fourth single from ‘Dance Fever’, ‘Free’.
It was initially debuted at the live shows, and now the studio version is accompanied by a music video starring Bill Nighy. Filmed in Ukraine by Autumn De Wilde, it aligns with the track by following Florence running and embracing her anxiety (played by Bill). Watch the video below:
Dance Fever's full tracklist announced
The full tracklist to Florence + the Machine’s 5th album Dance Fever has been revealed through a set of beautiful tarot cards.
In a equally gripping and aesthetically pleasing week, we now have the full tracklisting to Dance Fever.
The tracklist was revealed in triplets over the course of the last week, with the last set of tracks released exactly one month before Florence and the Machine's hotly anticipated 5th album is released. Each song was revealed through the turning of a tarot card. You can check out the tracklisting below in the image, or by following the link below.
1. KING
2. FREE
3. CHOREOMANIA
4. BACK IN TOWN
5. GIRLS AGAINST GOD
6. DREAM GIRL EVIL
7. PRAYER FACTORY
8. CASSANDRA
9. HEAVEN IS HERE
10. DAFFODIL
11. MY LOVE
12. RESTRAINT
13. THE BOMB
14. MORNING ELVIS
Florence + the Machine announce new album 'Dance Fever' and lead single 'My Love'
Florence and the Machine announce new single My Love, and reveal album name and artwork 'Dance Fever’.
Today has been an exciting and busy day for Florence + the Machine Fans!
It has only been 2 days since the buzz-track ‘Heaven Is Here’ was released along with its music video, and today marked the announcement of the album name, artwork, as well as the lead single.
The 5th album is titled ‘Dance Fever’, likely named in ode to the dancing plague of 1518, where citizens danced uncontrollably in a state of mania, apparently infected with the urge, for 2 months. It is also likely a reference to the album being written during the COVID-19 pandemic, where a similar plague swept the world. It is co-produced by Jack Antonoff who also produced albums for Lorde and Taylor Swift.
The lead single, ‘My Love’, has also been announced for release at 8am GMT on 10th March 2022.
Take a look at the premiere and video here (shot by Autumn De Wilde, as have all previous videos from this era):
KING - Music video analysis
Our take on the meaning behind Florence + the Machine’s music video to King, directed by Autumn De Wilde.
As with most Florence + the Machine music videos, the hidden meanings can be dark, covert and cleverly peppered with meaning. In extension of our music video analysis from previous eras, here’s our take on the new ‘King’ music video from the band’s yet-titled fifth album.
To set the scene, Florence released a statement that the song itself is about the torn identities she feels between being a female wanting to start a family, and being a performer. She stated that gender was not something she had previously considered, until reaching her 30s and suddenly coming to the realisation that male performers didn’t have to consider this aspect of their lives as readily as female counterparts.
The video begins with her partner appearing frustrated, mirroring the opening line of having an argument about whether to have children. Florence looks on eerily, observing the situation. Her partner appears fearful of her retaliation against his thoughts, and even more so when her own power in the situation haunts him. At first, Florence appears almost angelic, bathed in light, as she confronts her partner on these tricky topics. However, in an attempt to prioritise her artistic life from her private one, Florence lures him and then kills the bond between the two, symbolised by breaking the neck of her partner. Note that the light changes from bright and optimistic, to dark. This has several points of significance. Firstly, associations between kings and beheadings is rife throughout history. Secondly, this moment shocks the viewer intentionally, as it may have shocked Florence during her realisation that her two identities were not compatible. Thirdly, in killing the male, Florence attempts to fully embrace her feminine identity (note, in contrast to the How Big era where Florence openly modelled her image on male performers). The change in setting may represent reality versus imagination, as well as perceived good versus destruction.
However, despite the killing of this male dominance/identity, Florence continues to drag it around. Her back is turned, but it weighs her down. Florence summons femininity from within, and surrounds herself with this (the female dancers). She levitates throughout, asserting her position as transcending her identity. Notice that when not tied to her male identity or her personal life, and embracing her female identity, Florence is grounded - free - bounding amongst them from outside the confines of the walls she was previously trapped within at the start of the video, into the vast outside world. The contrast of the stereotypically feminine colours and outfits is stark compared with the brutalist decaying concrete structures that they are set against, further highlighting the division between her two identities.
The video concludes by showing performers levitating along with her. Note the performers are all male, whilst her female support remains grounded. This may symbolise the physical division between her male and female identities, with Florence deciding when to ground with the female or rise to the male. However, it might also show that her performance identity is literally put on hold (suspended) because of the tensions she faces between embodying the normalised female role in society, and being a performer in a male-centric career. If she is active at the feminine level, the male (performer) level must freeze and vice versa.
In the end, Florence realises that she cannot artificially separate these identities from each other. Instead, she embraces her personal life and masculine identity and becomes one with this. However, this may also represent how her personal life helps feed her artistic one, as she literally appears to eat her partner.
As ever, we want to hear your thoughts! Please leave them in the comments and let’s get a discussion going!
Florence + the Machine release new single 'King'
Florence + the Machine tease the release of their new single ‘King’, as well as some more hints about the upcoming 5th studio album.
After a 4 year hiatus, a new era is upon us.
On 20th February 2022, Florence + the Machine’s photographer Lillie Eiger shared an image of a card sent to her with ‘Chapter 1’ - ‘King’ written on the tarot.
The following day, Florence + the Machine’s official website updated to a new theme.
Fans close to the band’s management, and also those who have purchased from the official Florence + the Machine store recently, are receiving tarrot cards with ‘King’ as below.
Florence + the Machine’s taster single, ‘King’, is was released on 23rd Feburary 2022. It is taken from their 5th studio album featuring 15 tracks, yet untitled, due for release in late Spring. Take a look at the promo materials and video below.
Florence + the Machine release new song- Call Me Cruella
Hold on to your hats, because Florence + the Machine have written a song for the new Disney film ‘Creulla'.
The song titled ‘Call Me Cruella' is a short but powerful number, released on the 21st May 2020.
You can listen to the track below:
Florence Welch cover's 'Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas'
Florence Welch performed an angelic rendition of the classic ‘Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas’ for Nordoff Robbins’ annual charity event.
Florence Welch performed an angelic rendition of the classic ‘Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas’ for Nordoff Robbins’ annual charity event.
Take a listen below:
To donate to the charity, follow this link.
Light of Love - Florence + the Machine's new track to support intensive care units
Florence + the Machine have announced the release of a new track, ‘Light of Love’, where all earnings will be donated to the Intensive Care Society.
Florence + the Machine have announced the release of a new track, ‘Light of Love’, where all earnings will be donated to the Intensive Care Society.
The song originally began as a demo written for Florence + the Machine’s 4th album ‘High As Hope’, but didn’t make the final cut. It originally appeared in written form in Florence Welch’s book of poems and songs ‘Useless Magic’ in 2019.
The beautiful track features the band’s iconic orchestral sounds, a child choir, and a grand musical swell. It is out on all popular platforms at midnight on 17th April 2020.
Lungs celebrates its 10-year anniversary
As Lungs, the incredible debut album by Florence + the Machine, turns 10 years old today, the band release some special surprises…
(C) Tom Beard
Lungs, the ground-breaking debut album by Florence + the Machine, turned 10 years old today (3rd July 2019). To celebrate, Florence + the Machine have released lots of little goodies for all the fans to enjoy, showing that the album continues to influence and shape modern music, even to this day.
Released on the 3rd July 2009, Lungs was a “scrapbook” of songs written by Florence Welch during her teenage years up until its release when she was 22. Kiss With A Fist was the first single released from the album way back in 2008, but it was Dog Days Are Over and subsequently Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) and You’ve Got The Love which sent Florence + the Machine high into the dizzying heights of success. Its critical acclaim won the album a BRIT Award in 2010, as well as a Mercury Prize nomination and 3x platinum status in the United Kingdom.
To celebrate, Florence + the Machine are releasing an anniversary edition of the LP - a red colour LP, cassette, and an exclusive double vinyl box set.
As well as the new LP release, Florence + the Machine uploaded the much-loved but rare demo versions of two pre-Lungs songs: Donkey Kosh and My Best Dress, which are now available to listen to on all streaming sites and YouTube.
Lastly, let’s not forget the tributes you’ve all paid to the album to mark its monumental decade. Check out this wonderful podcast which goes through Lungs and its memories track-by-track.
“This album is so incredibly poetic; I must’ve listened to it a hundred times from start to finish in just the first month after it’s release. My favourites have changed throughout the years, each song’s meaning hits me differently as I’ve grown, but Between Two Lungs is the definition of music as art. Thank you, Florence + The Machine, for continuing to share your gift with us for the last decade.”
“One of the best pop/rock album EVER!!!! So fresh, creative and powerful!! And the vids, the remixes... She entered the ball with a bang and never lost it! She’s mesmerising on stage!! Happy birthday to a funking great album!!!”
If you have any tributes or words you’d like to add, feel free to comment and we’ll add them in!
Florence Welch to feature on new Adam Green album
Florence Welch is set to feature on the new album by Adam Green, titled Engine of Paradise, out in September
Florence Welch is set to feature on the new album by Adam Green, titled Engine of Paradise. The album was also recorded by Florence and the Machine's very own Loren, who is the band's bassist.
This is the first song Florence will feature in since the release of her cover of Elton John's 'Tiny Dancer' last year, for the Elton John Revamped tribute album.
Adam's album will be released some time in September, and we'll continue to update this post as we receive more news.