As we wait for Florence + the Machine to release their upcoming album “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful” on June 2nd, the band’s newest single entitled “What Kind of Man” can paint a very clear picture of the sound that will come from their new record.
“What Kind of Man” is a tune that is a slow build, taking a full minute before the audience hears the powerful guitar rift that carries through the rest of the tune. However, the real pull of the song comes from the emotional build up that takes place before the instruments kick in. The lyrics bring a question to a type of love that is characterized by frightening attraction, “And with one kiss,You inspired a fire of devotion, That lasted 20 years, What kind of man loves like this”. The question of how this type of love can exist resonate as she continually asks herself “what kind of man loves like this”.
Florence + the Machine have changed the way they approached this third album by taking time off in between the release of their previous critical hit, “Ceremonials”. The first two records that the band recorded were done back-to-back, while they took an entire year off before entering the studio to begin work on “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful”.
Florence Welch, the lead singer of Florence + the Machine, spoke in an interview with Zane Lowe and stated, ““It was a really vulnerable time for me when we first started making the record and because of that it’s the most personal record I’ve ever made.” This comment brings to light the passion that fuels this single and is sure to power the emotion behind their latest studio effort.
Florence + the Machine has had a major influence on the state of female rock artists by allowing Florence to channel her emotions and intimately connect with audiences. This influence can be seen in the work of artists like Lana Del Ray and Lorde. Though Del Ray and Lorde take different approaches from a musical stand point, with Lorde utilizing electronic beats, they bring an authenticity to their music by focusing on true aspects. Instead of shying away from the grittiness of their upbringing, Lorde and Del Ray allow that to influence their sound and truly own the airwaves.
Florence Welch, along with Lana Del Ray and Lorde, are ushering in a renaissance in the way of female lead rock stars. This is the closest thing we have got to the likes of Stevie Nicks and Joan Jett in years, with most female artists (though experiencing success) lending their music to more pop music trends. Though Lorde does utilize heavy electronics in her music, the subject matter of her songs tend to lean on genuine emotions that are somewhat glazed over in many straight pop-songs.
Much like the slow build of Florence + the Machine’s “What Kind of Man”, the track that her career arch and the influential effect it has had on other acts has taken may be marking the return to strong female rock leads as well.
Watch Florence + the Machine’s newest song “What Kind of Man”-
href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgeKHTcufLY
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