Where Florence Welch says Everybody Scream is her most personal record to date, it’s hard to imagine an artist saying anything less about their work. That is not a detraction from the latest, quality release from Florence and the Machine, but it feels a bit obvious. Every artist worth the time to listen to has peppered some real, emotional spirit in their work. Welch has done well here, as expected. She may have suggested her wordplay is just finding rhymes from line to line, but there is some truth and beauty in the process of that writing style. Everybody Scream is built on the simplicity of finding a clear route through complex and volatile problems. That straight-to-the-point sound, the call to arms heard in screaming and moving of the title track, is a powerful experience. A magnificent voice, a strong emotional core, and some brilliant instrumentals. It’s a trifecta which rarely offers quality of this level. Everybody Scream has more than a few career-defining moments within it.
Exploring the multitude of reasons for screaming, that is what Everybody Scream does. Elation, grief, it all comes together brilliantly with One of the Greats. It’s a song of accomplishments, of praising those who are creating with the purpose of making a real difference. But it’s also a fantastic knock at the frontmen failing to push the fold, to prop up those who need the helping hand. It’s as much a commentary on the industry which has shuffled the deck of talentless successes as it is a spotlight of those who are writing with purpose, and truth. There are too many examples in whichever genre you want to choose of musicians making this song or that sound for the sake of it, no sincerity behind it. Some may even suggest there is an intimate reason for their voice being heard above others, but with a song like One of the Greats, Florence and the Machine showcase just how rare it is to hear a song of real power. Forget an album full of those moments, a song is a near impossibility for some.
Everybody Scream is filled with great moments though, more than a few inspired occasions from Welch and the band. Songs like Sympathy Magic and Perfume and Milk have that delicate, fragile nature to them, which Welch has perfected over the years. It’s the honesty and openness which gives the tracks that extra layer, so wonderfully placed and filled with reads on the world most would shy away from. Buckle is a powerhouse when it comes to this. A meaningful look into love and success, and how the two are rarely in line with one another. What connects all this together, beyond some inspired instrumental work which captures the rising ambition which rushes through and threatens the very soul on a good day, is that Florence and the Machine has successfully identified a series of moments which would make you scream.
Part of it is honesty, part of it is confidence. Everybody Scream goes a long way in identifying the reasons for the noises we make, the reactions we have. Drink Deep is a monumental piece of work. Beyond the sharp lyrical work, the approach to the instrumentals is tremendous. Assured but open to those thrilling experiences, those pushes for a new sound through reflecting on the old tones, it’s wonderful work. Music by Men gets to the same core concept as One of the Greats but the wistful tone is amplified by those softer, acoustic guitar moments. Much of the focus through Everybody Scream is on the strength of Welch’s voice, and rightly so. A monumental musical force and put to topics and tones worthy of such strength. Everybody Scream is a delight because the points Florence and the Machine muse on are tackled with a sincerity sorely lacking in chart-topping music.
