How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
by Florence + the Machine
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Jun 2, 2015
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 703 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 626 out of 703
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 703
  3. Negative: 54 out of 703
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  1. drlowdon
    May 26, 2018
    10
    Genre: Alternative
    I've been a huge fan of Florence since her debut album back in 2009 and yet again she delivers. With her fantastic vocals I could listen to her sing anything (watch her "balls in your mouth" skit on Jimmy Fallon for proof) but her voice, combined with the sheer emotion she puts into every note, makes her my favourite artist around. Just a month to wait until her next album!!!
  2. fra92
    Jun 2, 2015
    10
    Amazing Album! Florence just doesn't dare to disappoint. I loved the sweet and sad Various Storms and Saints and Long & Lost, the powerful rhytm and lyrics of Queen of Peace and Delilah. She is just as vocally powerful as ever
  3. Wael
    Jun 2, 2015
    10
    In terms of greatness, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful picks up where Ceremonials last left off, 4 years ago. Florence and her machine are back stronger than ever, but as the same time, more vulnerable than ever. The record doesn't contain the big orchestral sounds featured on the band's second effort, however the stripped-down sound really matched them. After Florence's break-up with herIn terms of greatness, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful picks up where Ceremonials last left off, 4 years ago. Florence and her machine are back stronger than ever, but as the same time, more vulnerable than ever. The record doesn't contain the big orchestral sounds featured on the band's second effort, however the stripped-down sound really matched them. After Florence's break-up with her boyfriend, this pack of songs sound like the most personal thing she has ever done. The best songs on the album are Queen of Peace and Ship to Wreck, while other standouts include Various Storms & Saints, Third Eye and Delilah (and all of the rest of the album actually). Fans will be very pleased, and people who not know her will love her. The record sounds great. Great vocal performance, sharp lyrics, sweeping production. Everything you look for in a Florence record is there. Buy it! 10/10.… Expand
  4. ParkerFarron
    Jun 2, 2015
    10
    I loved Lungs and Ceremonials so much. F+TM are one of my favorite bands ever so I was super amped up for How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful with the 4 year wait and boy did Florence and Co. deliver. This album is instantly my favorite of the year so far and maybe one of my favorites all time. They found a perfect balance between Lungs and Ceremonials best parts with new elements added in.I loved Lungs and Ceremonials so much. F+TM are one of my favorite bands ever so I was super amped up for How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful with the 4 year wait and boy did Florence and Co. deliver. This album is instantly my favorite of the year so far and maybe one of my favorites all time. They found a perfect balance between Lungs and Ceremonials best parts with new elements added in. My favorites are Ship To Wreck, What Kind Of Man, How Big How Blue How Beautiful, Queen Of Peace, Various Storms & Saints, Long & Lost, St. Jude, Which Witch, basically the entire album is fantastic.… Expand
  5. hipnose1
    Jun 2, 2015
    10
    Florence + the machine é uma das maiores e mais diferentes bandas oriundas do UK que alcançou grandes conquistas e criticas positivas de diversos lugares do mundo com o seu álbum debut ''Lungs'' contendo uma singularidade e um som mais organico, diferente da singularidade do segundo album de estudio da banda ''ceremonials'' com sons mais obscuros, melancolicos e composições bastantesFlorence + the machine é uma das maiores e mais diferentes bandas oriundas do UK que alcançou grandes conquistas e criticas positivas de diversos lugares do mundo com o seu álbum debut ''Lungs'' contendo uma singularidade e um som mais organico, diferente da singularidade do segundo album de estudio da banda ''ceremonials'' com sons mais obscuros, melancolicos e composições bastantes profundas como ''What The Water Gave Me'' e a grandiosa ''Shake It Out''. O Terceiro album de estudio, lançado essa semana (02/06/2015) em todo o mundo trás mais uma singularidade e reinvenção não só da sonoridade e composição mas tambem todo o estilo da vocalista Florence Welch, que utiliza vocais mais potentes e algumas técnicas nunca usadas em seus albuns anteriores, mostrando a grande evolução sofrida. Esse é um album de conteúdo bastante interessante, acompanhado de singles com ligações audiovisuais, composições que em alguns momentos retratam desde depressão e sentimentos verdadeiros durante um romance à sentimentos de superação e conquistas. Na minha opinião de fã esse album vai estar sempre presente em minhas playlists e já é um dos meus favoritos, e se for para listar minhas favoritas é quase impossivel pois cada faixa é um conto, um sentimento, um momento, e eu creio que vai figurar em muitas listas de ''Melhores do Ano 2015''.… Expand
  6. philosophorse
    Jun 3, 2015
    10
    Such an emotional and heartwrenching album. It's my Album of the Year so far, behind it would be Vulnicura, another break-up album. These kind of albums understand how it feels like to have your heart spit out like bubblegum, and so they hit harder than records by Katy Perrys or Taylor Swifts.
  7. Blakebcb123
    Jun 3, 2015
    10
    Best album yet from F+TM. Lyrically it's amazing. Production is good, but not amazing.

    Best Song: Third Eye

    Standouts: Ship To Wreck, What Kind of Man, HBHBHB, Which Witch, Queen of Peace

    Worst Song: None.
  8. shunthathouse
    Jun 3, 2015
    10
    Developed, intruiging stilistically, excellent vocals and a tremendous display of variety. I'm aware that a solid 10 is a ridiculous score, but despite my thorough disliking of some of the songs (mother, caught, delilah), this album might be her finest creation yet (hard to say as they are all pretty good)

    best songs: long and lost, various storms and saints, queen of peace, what kind of man
  9. LegendaryMau
    Jun 2, 2015
    10
    THE MOST AMAZING ALBUM I'VE LISTENED IN A WHILE.The lyrical content, the instrumentals and the voice, everything form this record is diamond!!!From the first time listening to What Kind Of Man I knew this album was going to be excellent, this is my general thought, you might find another reviews that say the album is regular and only the singles are the worthy ones or maybe they'll sayTHE MOST AMAZING ALBUM I'VE LISTENED IN A WHILE.The lyrical content, the instrumentals and the voice, everything form this record is diamond!!!From the first time listening to What Kind Of Man I knew this album was going to be excellent, this is my general thought, you might find another reviews that say the album is regular and only the singles are the worthy ones or maybe they'll say that Ceremonials was better.This album has a brand new different sound and if you are a indie rock/pop lover you'll love it,I'm sure of that :D 10/10… Expand
  10. GuilhermeMeirel
    Jun 3, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If the purpose of Florence was to prove that it remains a songwriter and artist **** even when it decides to confront demons not fictitious, but her own, she could. "HBHBHB" exception to all previously clichés taxes, starting with the title, which is not this time a single word, and the still ethereal air, but not as fanciful as well new video clips. I still think the Victorian goth last more pleasant and attractive album, but if there's one thing we can ascertain all this bleak black-and-white Odyssey is: the only way to combat your fears and weaknesses is, well, assuming them, Florence Welch and this makes an unprecedented mastery and elegance.

    We're cheering for Various Storms & Saints, Delilah and Third Eye being singles.    … Expand
  11. GustoKsmva
    Sep 4, 2015
    10
    esse album é um hinario de deus, como deus é lindo cantando gente, cd maravilhoso cheio de hinos! e a Florence tem uma voz incrivel, hinario que mereceu +100 verde tour
  12. allecbatista
    Jun 10, 2015
    10
    "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful" without a doubt is the second best Florence disc after Ceremonials. Without losing its essence, Florence bet more on alternative rock and nailed it. One of the best works of the year so far, Florence + The Machine deserves all the recognition in the world.
  13. petko55
    Jun 2, 2015
    10
    How Big, How Blue How Beautiful is a top level album and will stay in the history of music as
    one of the most heartfelt albums ever recorded.
    Florence managed to capture the raw emotion of her heart with this album and being honest with herself is just what we (the fans) needed to hear in the band's new album. The opening tracks are just a little treat compared to the rest of the    How Big, How Blue How Beautiful is a top level album and will stay in the history of music as
    one of the most heartfelt albums ever recorded.

    Florence managed to capture the raw emotion of her heart with this album and being honest with herself is just what we (the fans) needed to hear in the band's new album. The opening tracks are just a little treat compared to the rest of the album. Both ''What Kind Of Man'' and ''Ship To Wreck'' are two different sounds, two different stories from Florence's destructive personality. Treat yourself with those alternative gems.

    Songs like ''Various Storms and Saints'' and ''St Jude'' can tell us how bad was her mental break down last year. ''The patron saint of the lost causes'', ''And the air is full of various storms and saints'' -
    the pain is felt in the songs so strong that bites into your skin and leave you helpless.

    Despite the happy tune of ''Delilah'' the song is metaphorical written. It tells us another destructive moment from Florence's life experience.

    ''Caught'' and ''Long & Lost'' еmit an ethereal melancholy that embraces you and departeth you from all your problems. Slow tunes which need time.

    The title song and ''Queen Of Peace'' are probably one of the best songs made by FATM. Telling us
    fairy stories, these songs send you in a mystical world of magic and freedom. The composition is on top level here.

    ''Third Eye'' and ''Mother'' are two completely different tunes. While the psychodelic sound of ''Mother'' could make you goose bumps, ''Third Eye'' speaks directly in your face- '' You don't have to be a ghost here amongst the living. You are flesh and blood''.

    The band sought to keep the essence of their magic. FATM gave us their next big thing. More honest than ''Ceremonials'' and bigger than ''Lungs''. HBHBHB is ready to take the throne.    … Expand
  14. igormoota
    Jun 2, 2015
    10
    The almost whole album have some "Shake it Out" and "Spectrum" (songs of the 2011 previous album, "Ceremonials") beats. Songs like "Third Eye", "Caught" and "Hiding" remind us the first album of the band, "Lungs". But, in general, all the sound experience of Florence's potent voice, combined with the incredible instrumental stuff of "The Machine", is grateful as hell.
  15. georgebaxter
    Jun 2, 2015
    10
    This is incredibly personal and beautiful album by Florence + The Machine while still maintaining some of the upbeatness from Lungs and the darkness from Ceremonials
  16. blodwin1998
    Jun 2, 2015
    10
    It's jarring if you're a hardcore Flo fan at first but after a few listens it is brilliant. You have to get your head around the difference of this album and her others before however when you appreciate the album in its glory then it is perfect and very enjoyable.
  17. vicoanjos
    Jul 23, 2018
    10
    I"ve been waiting almost 4 years for this album and i'm so happy with the result. How big, How blue, How beautiful is instantly my favorite of the year. F+TM are one of the best bands of our time. I'm just in love
  18. FortunateKing
    Jun 4, 2015
    10
    A stunning album with songs that initially sound "smaller" than those on Ceremonials, but in fact warm to one's heart and puts it back together after ripping it apart. Absolutely mind-blowing. Lovely.
    Highlights - "Caught", "Queen of Peace"
  19. Guriqsilva
    Jun 5, 2015
    10
    Florence + The Machine sleep and wake up with all the amazing things how they ever do, it is a little of rock-dance, so special, lovely, big, blue and beautiful.
    One more time they show us that we can wait a long time for a new record !
  20. vkokkinidis
    Jun 5, 2015
    10
    Florence + The Machine learnt a great deal when she performed at London's Prince Albert Hall in 2012. Florence learned that you do not have to wail at full throttle to be entertaining, sometimes less is better. HB, HB, HB brings much of that performance at Prince Albert performance to this album, the restrained vocals, the french horns, a deliberate and crafted musicality - it is simplyFlorence + The Machine learnt a great deal when she performed at London's Prince Albert Hall in 2012. Florence learned that you do not have to wail at full throttle to be entertaining, sometimes less is better. HB, HB, HB brings much of that performance at Prince Albert performance to this album, the restrained vocals, the french horns, a deliberate and crafted musicality - it is simply sublime. It is an album that has to be performed live and I can't wait to see it come to life.

    F + TM are once again very sharp and prove that they are more than ample support to the amazing vocals of Florence Welch. Lyrically the songs are lesser focused on epic metaphor and more focused on expressing heartfelt meaning. In this regard, the album feels more genuine, more real than Ceremonials and Lungs.

    There are no fillers on this album, there are a diversity of styles and sounds which makes Florence fearless because she conquers all of them.

    Each time I listen to HB, HB, HB (five times this morning) I have a new favorite. Right now it is "Caught" but the tracks that I keep going back to are "Queen of Peace", the psychedelic sounding "Mother" and the very punchy "Ship to Wreck".    … Expand
  21. janella
    Jun 8, 2015
    10
    Florence has hit the jackpot with this beautiful cd of lost love songs.Immerse in it...so perfect and vocally crisp.A must-buy.Warm and cohesive listen.
  22. seanmcinally
    Jul 18, 2015
    10
    A stunning, beautifully crafted album which ties together so many themes - life, love, self-destruction, longing, creation, connection to something bigger, transcendence, nature, duality. Her voice has never been more powerful and more free.
    Be sure not to miss out on the glorious deluxe tracks.

    You need to hear this record.
  23. CharlieGray
    Jun 16, 2015
    10
    Ship To Wreck: 10/10 - What Kind of Man: 10/10 - How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful: 10/10 - Queen of Peace: 10/10 - Various Storms & Saints: 10/10 - Delilah: 10/10 - Long & Lost: 9/10 - Caught: 6/10 - Third Eye: 10/10 - St Jude: 9/10 - Mother: 10/10 -D.LX.(Bonus Tracks) - Hiding: 8/10 - Make Up Your Mind: 10/10 - Which Witch (Demo): 10/10.
    Honestly, this album was pretty amazing. My    Ship To Wreck: 10/10 - What Kind of Man: 10/10 - How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful: 10/10 - Queen of Peace: 10/10 - Various Storms & Saints: 10/10 - Delilah: 10/10 - Long & Lost: 9/10 - Caught: 6/10 - Third Eye: 10/10 - St Jude: 9/10 - Mother: 10/10 -D.LX.(Bonus Tracks) - Hiding: 8/10 - Make Up Your Mind: 10/10 - Which Witch (Demo): 10/10.
    Honestly, this album was pretty amazing. My favorite. Better than Ceremonials which was my previously favorite.    … Expand
  24. keifeewowo
    Jun 22, 2015
    10
    I have anticipated this album for far too long! First of all, the album cover is beautiful. Simple, geometric and clean. Moving from that, of course the actual review.

    To be fair, when I first heard songs like 'Ship to Wreck' and 'What Kind of Man', it occurred to me that it was very different from Lungs or Ceremonials. I felt sort of weird and unsettled because of this newness that was    I have anticipated this album for far too long! First of all, the album cover is beautiful. Simple, geometric and clean. Moving from that, of course the actual review.

    To be fair, when I first heard songs like 'Ship to Wreck' and 'What Kind of Man', it occurred to me that it was very different from Lungs or Ceremonials. I felt sort of weird and unsettled because of this newness that was presented to me. It is not the kind of album that I love immediately, but it grows on you. I started humming melodies and remember lyrics out of no where.

    Her vocals have obviously toned down relative to Ceremonials and though I prefer the intensity and sheer power her voice delivered in Ceremonials, lyrically it was dark, yet beautiful and personal. To an extent, a story was narrated through their songs and words. I really appreciate this album, the amount of time and effort put into it.

    Once again, bravo Florence + The Machine    … Expand
  25. michi082704
    Jun 22, 2015
    10
    I think all her albums have had a great progression and this one course has the deep lyrics we come to expect from Florence while still being something new. I'm still listening to the album, I like to really listen, and the ones that have least caught my attention are Storms & Saints, Caught, Long & Lost. But normally I come back to songs after I've really listened to my favorites (onI think all her albums have had a great progression and this one course has the deep lyrics we come to expect from Florence while still being something new. I'm still listening to the album, I like to really listen, and the ones that have least caught my attention are Storms & Saints, Caught, Long & Lost. But normally I come back to songs after I've really listened to my favorites (on repeat lol). I am shocked that people think St. Jude is boring, its a very beautiful song. The line "Maybe I've always been more comfortable in chaos" just grabs you! It reminds me of "Only If For A Night" I really love it. I guess to each their own. There is less cosmic-ness and is somewhat softer, but overall it has a great mix of instrumentals and vocals. I am actually happy its not too much like Ceremonials. For me Cosmic Love, Shake It Out, and now - What Kind of Man are masterpieces but I love so many songs almost just as much, so hard... I think Third Eye is super adorable and Delilah is awesome. I am glad to add this to my collection and hope she has a concert in my area.… Expand
  26. pbudge
    Jul 21, 2015
    10
    Although the first songs that came out sound less orchestral that typical FATM, the whole album doesn't disappoint at all. What surprised me the most is that some of the most intense songs are bonus tracks.
    Personal favorite: Which Witch (and it's wind arrangements).
  27. killerlover24
    Aug 17, 2015
    10
    A perfect contribution by Florence + the Machine to the music. This album is a big jump in Florence's career because of the composition and lyrics that contains. The songs are amazing and the sounds of every one is such an hypnotic thing that you can't stop hearing. Very recommended. The best songs for me are 'Ship to Wreck', 'What Kind of Man', 'Queen of Peace' and 'Third Eye'.
  28. Mannhorse
    Sep 26, 2015
    10
    How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is the band's best record yet, as they create even grander musical statements but with less musical instruments. This album also contains a brass section in its third track which is the second best musical moment of the entire year, second only to Kendrick's "U" in To Pimp a Butterfly.
  29. andreyac12
    Nov 25, 2015
    10
    This album is for gods... I love every single song in it, Florence + The Machine has done a great job. For a moment I thought that I was listening to Angels to sing and play their harps.
  30. the_smart_dude
    Nov 25, 2015
    10
    We waited so much time for this! And it delivers! Its so different from the 2 other albums, yet its so Florence! I bet this album is gonna be nominated for best album at the Grammys next year, its one of the only ones that receives praise by both critics & fans!
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Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Most Discussed Album of 2015
31
#31 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 8, 2015
    78
    Third LP How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful dispenses with that ethos [positivity on the aftermath of heartbreak], embracing the raging/wallowing period that's delivered through biblical and Greek mythological references.
    Read full review
  2. Under The Radar
    Jul 9, 2015
    75
    Some of the album's most memorable moments come when the power is dialed down, as with the moving "Long & Lost." But there's no denying how captivating this group can be when the arrangement allows them to fly free.
    Read full review
  3. No Ripcord
    Jun 15, 2015
    90
    The greater the risk, the greater the reward. And I can think of no better reward than this album.
    Read full review
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