I first posted about Florence because of my love for all things Springsteen (except, unfortunately, for his release this year the title of which resembled Monty Burns’s autobiography—zing!). That was almost two years ago. Then the singles from Lungs started coming out. At first, it sounded like Florence was going for a garage-Brit-chick sound, but the final product turned out to be much more special.
It’s a real album. One meant to be played front to back (and from which a number of great songs were omitted). It’s a headphone record. Talented producers like James Ford and Paul Epworth flesh out the sound, adding embellishments that enhance rather than obscure what are structurally very good songs. And it’s a record for which one needs to consciously suspend disbelief. If you over analyze it, the magical motifs become a little cheesy, the powerful vocals a little overwrought. But sometimes I think it’s okay to like things because they are beautiful. I don't think it's a mask.
The XX used their remix of a Florence single (“You’ve Got the Love”) to build momentum for their beautiful 2009 release xx. Florence’s skill lies in making opulence seem soulful, while the XX use sparseness to communicate depth. Some drum machines, a pretty female/male vocal duo. It’s basic stuff and almost recalls Everything But the Girl in the way they transpose their own songs to a sound that is niche but now. EBTG used drum and bass, the XX have hipsterdom's DIY aesthetic.
I saw them a few weeks ago opening for Friendly Fires. I'll be really intrigued if they ever decide to go for a "big" sound. As it stands, I’m not sure what makes something so skeletal feel so whole, but it really does.
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