Florence + The Machine = Florchine - Lungs Review

Tiring of relentless 80s synthpop? Well then allow the lush, grandiose, layered and rich sound of Florence and the Machine's folk-tinged indie-pop wash over you with it's mournful wails and twinkling harp strings acting as the perfect antidote to the endless clattering of synths that have dominated the musical landscape as of late. Florence Welch is the winner of the Brits' Critic's Choice award which means if you don't like her you're a tasteless philistine, but if you have the gall to enjoy her music you're nothing but a pawn in the hype machine. With Adele, last year's winner, one couldn't help but feel that she was being awarded for the raw talent on offer rather than the strength of her material but with Florence there's so much more than just oodles of potential and some pretty love songs, there's a stunning debut that justifies its accolades with aplomb.

It's all mainly haunting, tumbling, all-encompassing lusciousness but there's a enough diversity to keep the big moments feeling impressive and the more understated moments feeling refreshing. The soaring Dog Days Are Over, the sweeping drama and sinister bloodlust of Howl and the achingly beautiful war cry of Cosmic Love are epic laments. Meanwhile, Kiss with a Fist is all rugged drumbeats and purring guitars and the jazzy saunter of Girl With One Eye is cocksure vocal showcase and sadistic ditty about retribution that explodes with oh-so-satisfying passion. Drumming Song combines an earthy bombast and sense of scale with a towering vocal and pounding drums while the simple vulnerability of her You've Got the Love cover is captivating.

The swelling strings, luscious lilt and hypnotic, fearless vocal combine to craft a sensual, dark, other-worldly and evocative sound which combines ornate arrangements with a certain primal rawness that captures the imagination and grips you from start to finish. Florence may come with a machine in tow but there's nothing mechanical about the sprawling, organic beauty of this epic debut, it's the heart that beats at its centre that makes it so special. Quite simply, Lungs is a breath of fresh air.