If Florence Welch has her way, screaming should once again become a communal and physical event: EVERYBODY SCREAM! The reference to Swans’ music in the run-up to the release fits in with this: Michael Gira and his band stage hellish noise as a heavenly ritual. Florence + The Machine is only a quarter as loud, but the references to ritual are recognizable, in the song “Sympathy Magic,” for example, with its drums and chants. Since her debut LUNGS (2009), she has presented herself as the master of ceremonies, singing about girls with only one eye and boys who make coffins. WitchTok will be a huge thing on TikTok by 2020 at the latest. Welch had to ask himself: continue to serve the matter – or get out of there? She chose the former.
Editorial recommendations
The album is released on Halloween, there is a “Witch Dance”, a piece about “The Old Religion”. However, very important: This is not a magic trick. “Music By Men” is about masculine dominance and leads to the powerful self-empowerment “You Can Have It All”. With “One Of The Greats” Welch’s idea of crossing Adele with Swans comes to life.
Soulmate Ethel Cain sings in the background, Mark Bowen (Idles) and Aaron Dessner (The National) act as co-producers, the intensity of the song is impressive. A favorite on the record uses less vermilion: “Buckle” is comparatively reduced – and promotes the feeling that a Florence record without Machine would be a nice thing.
This review first appeared in Musikexpress 12/2025.