Ceremonials by Florence and the Machine

Welcome to yet another review! Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at Ceremonials by Florence and the Machine!

Only if For a Night: This album begins with a vivid dream about seeing a lost loved one again. The piano and drums help create a lasting impact that makes this opener a worthy listen.

Shake it Out: This song is about shaking off all your problems and leaving them in the past. The lyrics also dabble in themes of spirituality. It is strengthened by a choral-inspired sound and powerful vocals, as well as a strong instrumental.

What the Water Gave Me: A sad tale about someone jumping into water and drowning themselves. The song has a nice buildup, with blends of piano and guitars that conclude with a striking payoff that makes it an exceptional track.

Never Let Me Go: Another song that involves drowning as a theme. Despite the morbid subject matter, the song itself sounds gorgeous. Its tempo is slow, and it uses a multitude of instruments to create a somber sound that leaves a lasting impact on the listener.

Breaking Down: A desolate look into how depressive thoughts can consume someone until they break down. Ironically, the song’s instrumental does not sound as melancholic as other songs despite its serious subject matter. 

Lover to Lover: A soul-influenced song about accepting fate, no matter how bleak it may be. The track displays a stark contrast between its lyrics and instrumental, as while the lyrics speak of a descent to the underworld, the music sounds relatively upbeat.

No Light, No Light: A gripping song about the end of a relationship and its impact on Florence. The instrumental is intense, with the same hard-hitting drum rhythms from previous songs, and even the use of a harp.

Seven Devils: The most unsettling song on the album. Its nightmarish nature is invoked by a chilling piano riff that persists throughout the entirety of the song, echoed vocals, and lyrics about devils haunting someone.

Heartlines: A track with darker lyrical content, but layered among this darker imagery is a message encouraging the listener to persevere no matter what hardships they face. The powerful instrumental makes the song even more empowering to hear.

Spectrum: The pattern of uplifting themes is continued with a song that compares a positive relationship to an iridescent spectrum of colors. The instrumental is once again a highlight, with an elegant use of harp.

All This and Heaven Too: A beautiful sounding song about how emotions have a language of their own. The way the song’s key changes as it progresses from a verse to the chorus is what makes it grand.

Leave My Body: Capping off the album is an emotional song about needing to leave your body in order to escape the turmoil of a past relationship. Florence’s soaring vocals end the album on a high note.

This beautiful album earns a score of 9/10!