The new single is a gorgeous display of compelling restraint.
Florence + The Machine has always excelled in mixing beauty and power. The songs soar on the strength of Florence Welch’s vocals. Although her voice has enough force to level mountains, it’s her control that makes the band’s music excel. She knows when to belt out to the heavens and when to sing quietly in your ear. “Sky Full Of Song” is a perfect example of her discipline.
Over a reflective, rhythmic backing, Welch sublimely sings about the draw of performance and how it’s more than a passion. It’s a need. Her voice ebbs and flows over the light melody, weaving together lyrics like, “Grab me by my ankles, I’ve been flying for too long/I couldn’t hide from the thunder in a sky full of song”
As Welch said herself about the tune, “There is this feeling of being cracked open, rushing endlessly outwards and upwards, and wanting somebody to hold you still, bring you back to yourself. It’s an incredible, celestial, but somehow lonely feeling.”
“Sky Full Of Song” gets across all those emotions, in a stunning release for her highly anticipated fourth album. After this track, that wait can’t end soon enough.