Spectrum has the overall sound that you may have come to expect
from Florence and the Machine: surreal charm and very distinct
vocals with impeccable tone and clarity. This particular single really
demonstrates Florence Welch’s vocal range. From the lower, huskier tones in her
very individual voice to the purer high notes that really shine through, there
is a variety of different sounds to be heard; a true highlight of this song.
The surreal charm I mentioned
earlier is characterised in Spectrum
by a number of things. The song begins in a very eerie manner, drawing attention
through quiet suspense. A gradual build up to the chorus keeps this focus from
the listener by not quite revealing what they are about to hear. Pay some
attention to the vocals here as it is definitely worth remembering: it exhibits
the lower end of Florence’s range, which could later be overlooked by the louder
and more memorable chorus. The melody at this point is building continually,
creeping up in the background, until the whole song seems to explode.
The chorus is loud and catchy,
making a dramatic change from the opening, though it maintains the eeriness
that, in this case, is part of the song’s charm. Through the chorus, the
excellent orchestration becomes clear: each layer of the song works around the
others while very much keeping its own little melody going. If one layer were
to be played separately from the others it would no doubt hold its own, yet
when played with the others, the sound is brilliant. Add to this the pure tones
from Florence’s voice that have me so enraptured, and there is this kind of
perfect weirdness that is really enjoyable.
Ending with one of those song
layers holding its own, Spectrum sounds
almost like a musical box when it comes to a close: it is sweet, it is charming
and it is a little spooky. It must be difficult to convey these things in such
harmony, but I think Florence and the Machine embrace weirdness in a way that
makes it truly possible. Spectrum is
strange and surreal, and very, very special.
Spectrum by Florence and the Machine is out on the 8th of July on Island Records.
EW
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