It's only a couple of weeks since What The Water Gave Me was released, yet previews of forthcoming album 'Ceremonials' have now taken place and the first single has been leaked - the bombastic Shake It Out.
Florence has been working with some American producers which, judging by this track, has clearly had an impact on her new material. The drums here are especially reminiscent of Ryan Tedder's previous work on Halo and Bleeding Love amongst others. Shake It Out straddles a fine line between classic Florence and X-Factor celebration song. It's kitchen sink production with zero subtlety and a huge chorus - her most accessible pop material yet.
But Florence's voice (physical and metaphorical) can be heard above the cacophony, with typically mystical lyrics. It's a song of overwhelming positivity - equally uplifting and euphoric ("And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back / So shake him off"). Florence may have swapped her gentle etherealism for popular bombast, but Shake It Out is sure to bring her success on both sides of the Atlantic.
4/5
