The moon priestess returns: the past pandemic years have also taken their toll on Florence Welch. The energy of the 35-year-old Briton was usually unleashed on stage – studio albums were only snapshots. And in lockdown? No concerts. Solitude. Heavy thoughts. Hardly imaginable. Accordingly, the title »Dance Fever« from her fifth album can only be interpreted in single terms: ecstatic anthems of full-body movement for everything and everyone. Exactly what the predecessor »High As Hope« somewhat lacked. And indeed, Welch delivers. »My Love« recalls her early days when an indie-folk influence resonated in her music. The chorus is lifted by a beat: »So tell me where to put my love?« Artist in search of the proper channels. For Welch was plagued by not being able to play gigs. On »Dance Fever,« however, she also grapples with her role as an artist and a woman. What else is there when everything disappears that you always thought defined me? »Cassandra« delivers the oversized anthem on this album and wraps Greek mythology in housework and the urge for freedom. Music with all the »oohs« and the »ahhs« therefore. Accordingly, »Dance Fever« has more ups and downs than Florence + The Machine’s previous albums, and sweeps along, swirling, overturning, staggering and gasping for breath. The whole sound is alive and shaking. In the end, only ecstasy remains, dancing away all feelings, all pain, all questions. Up to this point, it is the best, most exciting and lively album Florence + The Machine have ever recorded.
James Blake
Playing Robots Into Heaven
Polydor