Florence + The Machine- Everybody Scream

     Throughout listening to Florence and the Machine’s new album, I was surprised by a few things. When I think of their music, I usually imagine upbeat, powerful songs that feel full of life especially their hit Dog Days Are Over, which became one of their most recognizable and beloved tracks. However, the first song on this album, which also shares its title Everybody Scream, was not at all what I expected. The opening track has a much darker and edgier tone than what fans might be used to. It feels like the band was intentionally experimenting with a new direction, blending haunting melodies with heavy instrumentals and eerie background vocals. While the song does fit the spooky, Halloween like vibe of the season, I’m not sure it’s something that will hold up throughout the year. It’s an interesting creative risk, but one that might not appeal to everyone especially fans who fell in love with the more vibrant, uplifting sound the band is known for. 

      Two songs I really liked from this album were You Can Have It All and Sympathy Magic. These two tracks stood out to me because they had that classic Florence and the Machine sound, emotional, dramatic, and beautifully layered. You Can Have It All feels both powerful and heartfelt, featuring a chorus that builds up into something truly moving. It has that cinematic quality that Florence Welch often brings to her performances, making the song feel larger than life. Sympathy Magic, on the other hand, has a softer and dreamier tone. The lyrics feel deeply personal and poetic, almost like a return to the band’s earlier work where emotion and storytelling were at the center. Both of these songs remind listeners why Florence and the Machine have such a loyal following: their music speaks to the heart with honesty and intensity. 

     However, as a whole, Everybody Scream didn’t completely live up to my expectations. While I appreciate the band’s attempt to explore new sounds, I felt that several songs started to blend together after a while. The pacing of the album is uneven some songs are rich and full of emotion, while others feel somewhat repetitive or overly experimental. It seemed like the band was trying to strike a balance between their classic ethereal style and a grittier, rock-inspired sound, but the result sometimes felt caught in between. The energy that usually pulls listeners in and keeps them engaged just wasn’t as consistent here. 

    Overall, Everybody Scream is an interesting but uneven album. It shows that Florence and the Machine are still willing to take risks and evolve, which is admirable for any artist several albums into their career. I wouldn’t say it’s a bad album, but it’s not one of their strongest either. It’s worth a listen for longtime fans, especially for the standout tracks, but as a full album experience, it falls somewhere in the middle: creative and ambitious, but not quite unforgettable.