During his acceptance speech for Best Actor at this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, Timothée Chalamet expressed a desire to be remembered as “one of the greats.” This notion resonates with the themes explored in Florence + the Machine’s latest album, “Everybody Scream,” which grapples with similar aspirations and the limitations imposed on female artists in the music industry.
In her sixth album, Florence Welch not only reflects on her own quest for greatness but also addresses the deeply rooted sexism and male entitlement present in the music world. One standout track, the lead single “One of the Greats,” offers an incisive critique wrapped in haunting melodies, as Welch sings, “It must be nice to be a man and make boring music just because you can.” This biting commentary serves as both a reflection of her experiences and a nod toward the double standards that persist in the creative field.
Collaborating with notable artists such as Mark Bowen of IDLES, Mitski, and Aaron Dessner from The National, Welch infuses the album with her signature orchestral pop style. The twelve tracks are rich with strings, synths, guitars, and percussion, offering both familiar sounds and fresh lyrical content. Lyrically, “Everybody Scream” explores deeper themes of mysticism and witchcraft, partly influenced by Welch’s personal struggles, including a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy in 2023. She candidly shares her experiences with lines like, “I sit in salt water/Call in a vision of my daughter/Light a candle/Place my grief upon the altar,” from the poignant track “You Can Have It All.”
Much like Halsey’s 2021 album “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power,” which also examines themes of femininity and motherhood amidst power dynamics, “Everybody Scream” showcases Welch’s raw and introspective poetry. The album invites listeners to ponder mortality and ambition while weaving in everyday experiences, as highlighted in poignant lyrics from “Perfume and Milk,” where she states, “Downloading ‘Revelations of Divine Love’ on my phone/Trying to read but getting distracted/Trying to live but feeling so damaged.”
With a cohesive sound and thematic depth, “Everybody Scream” is a powerful reflection of Welch’s journey and visions, making its Halloween release not only timely but also resonant with those who strive to carve out a place for themselves in an industry still grappling with gender inequalities. This album stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of female artists, encouraging a reflection on ambition and the pursuit of greatness, regardless of gender.