Florence + the Machine: A possibly biased review
As Spotify users will know, the yearly Spotify Wrapped was published earlier this month. I was unsurprised to find that my most listened to artist was once again the British band Florence + the Machine — something that hasn’t changed since I first discovered their music. But what is it exactly that makes their music so special, so captivating? Spotify, in its oddly specific yet wonderfully vague fashion, informed me that I love “witchy fantasy baroque pop”. Sidenote: does anybody else think Spotify has absolutely lost the plot when it comes to genre descriptions? It also claimed that I listened to a lot of “pink pilates princess rollerskating pop”, a description which just rolls off the tongue…
Anyway, I started to seriously consider how this description fits Florence + the Machine’s music. Turns out that baroque pop is indeed a real genre, and I was simply too unsophisticated to know that. It’s a kind of fusion music that combines the rock sound with more classical elements. Certainly Florence and the Machine incorporates the artistic flare associated with baroque into their music. They also utilize string instruments and layered vocals to create an orchestral feel.
Associating the word “fantasy” with their music isn’t far-fetched either. Firstly, fantasy is a theme they play around with a lot. Think of songs like “Mermaids” and “Howl” which, even though metaphorical, create atmospheric stories about mermaids who like to party and werewolves with broken hearts. Secondly, if you’re like me and love to daydream, Florence + the Machine creates a perfect soundtrack to imagining epic sword fights, or perhaps castle masquerades.
What I found most interesting was the word “Witchy”. I find the word very Halloween-y. And I love Halloween, but Florence and the Machine doesn’t really conjure up images of wide-brimmed hats, black cats, or flying on brooms. Instead I presume witches here are a broader, more mystical concept, particularly associated with femininity. There is definitely power emanating from the music, largely thanks to lead singer Florence Welch. And if you see her dance on stage or on video, with her autumnally red hair, maybe you really can imagine her as a witch or some other magical entity. Feminist themes also crop up in the band’s music. This maybe isn’t something directly relevant to witchcraft, yet it also is. It is true that men were also prosecuted during the witch trials, but the word witch remains one with primarily feminine associations. And as we move further away from the time of witch hunts, some seek to reclaim the word witch — whether it’s a genuine identification with paganism, a philosophy of the “feminine divine”, or simply reblogging tumblr quotes such as “We are the daughters of the witches you couldn’t burn”, it makes sense to incorporate a band like Florence + the Machine into this aesthetic as Florence Welch sings about ghosts, witches, and not wanting to give up one’s career for the role of a wife and mother. Yet after considering all this, I found that Spotify had not actually defined what I like most about Florence + the Machine. The quality isn’t anything genre specific. It is the vocals. Florence Welch sings with emotion. Her voice is able to project a sort of raw and powerful quality, even in the band’s softer songs. There are many amazingly talented singers out there, and I feel few of them could breathe life into a song quite the way Welch does it. I also appreciate how unafraid she is when it comes to the not-really-singing parts. Her heavy gasping in “Big God” and trilling vocalizations in “Heaven is here” undeniably give them a special touch.
Now, maybe I should finish this off by finding something negative to say about the music, so that this sounds more like a review and less like an excuse to gush about my favorite artist. Sure, Florence + the Machine might not be everybody’s cup of tea. It’s kind of like ginger tea. I love it, I think it’s flavorful, but I totally get why it doesn’t appeal to everyone. You also might not enjoy it in every situation. Is it the kind of music to play at a party? Probably not, unless you’re also attempting to conduct magical rituals. Is it the best soundtrack for standing in the middle of a storm? Up there with Bohemian Rhapsody. And if you’re me, it’s the perfect thing to listen to alone in your room, letting it fuel your emotions and inspiration.
