Why Florence and the Machine turned to celebratory screaming for their latest record
In short: After undergoing life-saving surgery during her 2023 tour, Florence Welch sought a new way to explore the body's limits. Her sixth studio album, Everybody Scream, moves away from previous sounds to investigate the raw emotions behind the physical act of screaming.
Released on 31 October 2025 to coincide with Halloween, Everybody Scream represents a significant shift for Florence and the Machine. It is the band's first studio project in three years, following the 2022 release of Dance Fever. The album's themes were first hinted at by Welch in July 2025, through images featuring guitarist Mark Bowen and references to mysticism, witchcraft, and folk horror.
The concept of the title track and the album's name stems from Welch's fascination with 'celebratory screaming.' In an interview with Zane Lowe, she explained that the project explores the various reasons and emotions associated with such a visceral, physical act. This exploration of the body's limits was heavily influenced by her experience undergoing life-saving surgery during the Dance Fever Tour in 2023.
Critical reception has been largely positive, with the album earning 'universal acclaim' on Metacritic, holding a weighted average score of 81 out of 100. Critics have noted its unique qualities: NME's Laura Molloy praised its raw depiction of femininity, while Paste's Sam Rosenberg described it as a 'guttural, flinty rock record' that engages with Welch's long-standing interest in the occult. Achieving major commercial popularity, the record entered the UK Albums Chart at the top spot with 31,369 units and hit number four on the US Billboard 200.
The production involved a collaborative effort with engineers such as Bella Blasko and Billy Halliday. The album's visual identity is defined by a fisheye-lens cover shot of Welch in a black-and-white outfit, set within a wooden environment.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Everybody Scream
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