New album “Ceremonials” carries literary influence

Two years after their first album, Florence + The Machine are set to release a second album titled "Ceremonials" on Nov. 1 in the U.S. To date, two singles from the new album have been released: "What the Water Gave Me" and "Shake it Out."

"What the Water Gave Me" was released for sale in the U.K. on Aug. 23, 2011 (U.S. fans will have to wait until the full album is released to buy this track). The music video for "What the Water Gave Me" (released on the same day the single went on sale), is surrealistic and features shots of backing band members drumming by candlelight and Florence Welch – the lead singer – directing the production of the song.

Both songs are raw and thrum with Welch's endless energy. "Shake it Out" is an upbeat choral cry to restart and revive, while "What the Water Gave Me" is an unrelenting reminder of the overwhelming nature of life. According to XFM, Welch wrote "Shake it Out" as a hangover cure, a perfect example of her ability to find inspiration even in painfully routine events.

"Ceremonials" is more than just an album, at least for Welch. "I got through depression, heartbreak and so many other things with the album, which is why it's so emotional. It's possibly why so many people connect with it," the singer told SKYLivingHD.com.

The connection to the album Welch is talking about definitely exists. "What the Water Gave Me" is a powerful song that swells to the ticking rhythm of a clock and references not only Welch's personal struggles, but also her literary and artistic influences. The title references a Frieda Kahlo painting and the lyrics allude to the manner in which Virigina Woolf committed suicide, as well as classical Greek mythology.

In the song, Welch does not so much croon as cries; "Let the only sound / Be the overflow / Pockets full of stones / And oh, poor Atlas / The world's a beast of a burden / You've been holding on a long time."

"The ocean seems to me to be nature's great overwhelmer," Welch said to Kovideo. "When I was writing this song I was thinking a lot about all those people who've lost their lives in vain attempts to save their loved ones from drowning. It's about water in all forms and all bodies."

Welch found the album cathartic, and critics are finding it beautiful. The two singles released so far have been lauded for their unique sound and poetic lyrics. "‘Shake It Out' is a pitch-perfect end-of-summer anthem," said the Huffington Post. "Shake it Out" was also  number 27 on the U.K. singles chart when it was released two weeks ago. Emotive singing, fluid phrases, and allusions to literary and artistic inspiration seem to have found favor with U.K. fans.