Florence and the Machine ‘Ceremonials’ Review: A Little Bit of Everything Awesome

Following the success of their first record, “Lungs,” Florence And Machine readied their sophomore effort, a transcendent dream scape that tackles the concepts of religion, sex, war and the death of ego and relationships. “Ceremonials” has taken the classic formula of great lyrics, strong instrumentation and a killer lead vocal, creating a body of work that starts a new era sonically for the British export band.

The new record embellishes on the theatrical nature of the previous record “Lungs” while carving out a lane all of its own. Drawing inspirations from Disco, Hip Hop, Classic Rock & Roll, Opera, Gospel, Motown, Baroque pop, and a new age celtic ethereal sounds. Florence Welch the bands front woman manages to produce a vocal equally as entrancing as the music arrangements accompanying her.

The lead track “If Only For A Night” begins your journey the sound paints the scenery of distant land were we connect with the powerful people we’ve lost in our lives. The militant and eerie drum, piano, and vocal combination pull together to both frighten and entice you, transporting the listener from their surroundings to battlefield. “Its a song influenced by Joan Of Ark and my dead Grandma,” Welch said in a track-by-track commentary on NME .“It was almost a sense of possession something in a dream guiding me somewhere. I think that was a good way to start the record, lulling people into a sense of dream world than the battle commences.”

The record progresses naturally with this overwhelming tone of what is reality what is fictional and what do you want to be tangible, All while engulfing you with the sense of being prepared for battle. Track seven “No Light , No light encompasses the theme of the record the best.It also happens to be the best song on the record in my opinion , The mixture of chamber music with a
hip hop drum beat and and rock guitar rift gets the blood truly flowing. Welch sings of a relationship that is falling apart one that she no longer fight for but must instead make a hasty retreat from due to its suffocating and toxic nature

Another notable song on the record is “Leave my body” the songs is reminiscent of a warrior excepting the defeat and end before her. The songs strong Gospel and Motown influence truly tantalize’s the ears shaking you from the anger and pain of letting go that “No Light,No Light” invoked. Thrusting you into this concept of nirvana that one obtains once you let go of all of the things, people, and vices weighing you down. Welch once again gives a compelling vocal performance that ties the concept of the musicality together truly allowing you to release inhibitions and leave your body.

Florence And The Machine managed to deliver a cohesive follow up record, one that will go down in the rock & roll history as one of the best records of the 21st century. Some how melding a hodgepodge of influences to create music that is appeasing to fans of any genera all while exposing them to genera’s they never knew could work together.