Florence + the Machine - Lungs
20 Oct 09
Island Records
Review by Rachel Coppenhaver
Florence + the Machine is fronted by Florence Welch and produced by James Ford (Arctic Monkeys), Paul Epworth (Bloc Party), and Stephen Mackey. The album has become the UK's best selling album this year and with the recent US release, Florence proves that it is a spot well earned. The album is full of drama and raw emotion, as well as faerie tale like fantasy.
The album has a wide range of themes ranging from fear (Rabbit Heart) and the raw emotions that come with love and heartbreak (Kiss With a Fist, Hurricane Drunk) as well as some lighter fare touching on freedom (Dog Days are Over) and the joy that occasionally comes with love (You've Got the Love). “Kiss With a Fist” is a strangely upbeat song considering that it's about the violence of some relationships - emotional, not physical as Florence has assured that it does not condone domestic violence – with lyrics that speak of punching, breaking dishes, and setting the bed on fire. And yet it makes you want to sing and dance around. The darkly sinister “Girl With One Eye” was actually written by, but never recorded by The Ludes, but Florence owns the song in this standout track with her visceral vocals. Although the album brings plenty of darkness, Florence also proves that she can be sweet and lovely with songs like “Between Two Lungs” which is inspired by the breath shared in a kiss.
Overall, the album gives a wonderful array of style and theme and proves that Florence Welch is the UK songstress to be watching out for in the future. Pouring out her heart into each lyric, Lung takes the listener on a whirlwind journey through all sorts of emotions. Haven't we all felt like going out and drinking ourselves to death over a love thats moved on? (Hurricane Drunk). Florence has, and isn't afraid to expose her feelings about it.
