How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Florence + the Machine · 2015
48 min · 11 tracks · indie rock
A sweeping blend of ethereal vocals and dynamic instrumentation capturing the turbulence of love and self-discovery.
Top tracks — play these first
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What Kind of Man — This track encapsulates the album's exploration of tumultuous relationships through a powerful vocal performance and driving instrumentation that contrasts vulnerability with strength.
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Ship to Wreck Start here — With its infectious melody and spirited energy, this song expresses the struggle between self-sabotage and desire, making it a standout moment on the album.
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How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful — The title track serves as an anthem of acceptance and introspection, showcasing Welch's lyrical prowess alongside lush arrangements that evoke the vastness of human experience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but has moments where pacing dips.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving rhythm in 'Ship to Wreck' that sets an energetic tone, which is maintained through the first half before shifting to more introspective tracks.
- Several songs feature layered instrumentation, with strings and brass complementing the prominent vocals, particularly in 'What Kind of Man' and 'How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful'.
- The final three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the earlier intensity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady progression with emotional resolution
- grand orchestral moments of vulnerability
- reflective listening for introspective moods
- engaging storytelling through immersive sound
Maybe skip if you
- seeks instant gratification tracks
- prefers standalone singles over cohesion
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Represents a significant artistic evolution and emotional depth in the artist's sound.
- Career context
- Released in 2015, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is Florence + the Machine's third studio album, following the commercial success of Ceremonials. At this point, Florence Welch was transitioning from her earlier sound to a more mature, reflective approach, influenced by personal experiences and artistic growth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bat for Lashes· Of Monsters and Men· Lana Del Rey
Tracklist
- 1 Ship to Wreck Start here 3:54
- 2 What Kind of Man 3:36
- 3 How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful 5:34
- 4 Queen of Peace 5:07
- 5 Various Storms & Saints 4:09
- 6 Delilah 4:53
- 7 Long & Lost 3:15
- 8 Caught 4:24
- 9 Third Eye 4:20
- 10 St. Jude 3:45
- 11 Mother 5:49
What to play next
High as Hope
2018
Continues the exploration of personal themes with a more intimate sound.
Ceremonials
2011
Sets the stage with grander instrumentation and emotional depth.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Haunted Man
Bat for Lashes
Shares a similar ethereal quality and explores themes of love and self-reflection.
Born to Die
Lana Del Rey
Both encapsulate emotional turbulence with lush production and introspective lyrics.
Beneath the Skin
Of Monsters and Men
Combines sweeping instrumentation and heartfelt vocals, focusing on personal growth and connection.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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