Florence + The Machine - Everybody Scream (Single)

Who needs summer hits when we have Florence + The Machine autumn?

With “Everybody Scream”, the lead single from her upcoming album of the same name, Florence Welch steps fully into the world she’s been circling throughout her career. She has always been something of an autumnal singer, and releasing an album on Halloween (October 31) only highlights this strength from an aesthetic point of view.

Musically, “Everybody Scream” feels instantly familiar, delivering the kind of sound Florence fans have come to expect. In many ways, it continues the path laid out on Dance Fever. So if you weren’t a fan of that record, take a step back before declaring this your song of the year—and maybe even rethink your life choices. (I’m not serious. But then again, maybe I am.)

But at the same time, there are new features and additions here that tell a slightly different story. The production team behind the last album steps aside, with Jack Antonoff and Kid Harpoon replaced by Aaron Dessner, who brings his own very distinctive vision. As a result, the song sounds more restrained, a little deeper in tone.

Another fascinating element lies in the songwriting credits. “Everybody Scream” is co-written by Mitski, and it feels as though Florence and Mitski, fused together, have created the ultimate coven anthem. With its cinematic delivery, paired with the right kind of instrumentation, the track transforms into something straight out of the most epic scene from American Horror Story: Coven.

Everything works in this song: the build-up, the unusual fragments that stand out, the unique vocal inserts, and, of course, the title itself, which encourages us to scream—something that perfectly matches the collective mood these days. It feels as though only witches and their spells can save us now, and if such witches truly exist, then Florence + The Machine is certainly one of them, and “Everybody Scream” is a magnificent first spell.

8.2/10