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How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
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How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 703 Ratings

  • Summary: Produced by Markus Dravs, the third full-length release for the British indie rock band features contributions from Paul Epworth, Kid Harpoon and John Hill.
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Top Track

What Kind of Man
I was on a heavy tip Tryna cross a canyon with a broken limb You were on the other side Like always, wondering what to do with life I already had a... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Jun 4, 2015
    91
    How Big is Welch’s most accomplished album yet, primarily because she doesn’t rely solely on operatics to make herself heard. Welch may have gone slightly smaller with her sound, but her emotional depth and capacity for wonder remain gigantic.
  2. Consequence
    Jun 3, 2015
    83
    It’s apparent she’s among her generation’s most deserving superstars, maintaining a stunning balance of technical mastery and sensitive lyricism.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    May 26, 2015
    80
    Overflowing with stately songwriting and lyrical craftsmanship, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful makes for a restrained but joyful return, and a collection that will last long after Welch’s broken bones are mended.
  4. The 405
    Jun 10, 2015
    80
    How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is an arena-ready and festival-ready record that, in true Florence and the Machine fashion, is packed to the brim with alarmingly catchy hooks and astounding vocal theatrics from its vocalist.
  5. 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.
  6. Spin
    Jun 4, 2015
    70
    The results are brilliant, but the album too often focuses on the latter two-thirds of the album title at the expense of the first.
  7. The Guardian
    May 28, 2015
    60
    It’s an album that’s too overblown and daft for the songs to have the desired emotional impact: it’s never really intimate enough for the feelings Welch expresses to connect. Instead, it wobbles precariously along the line that separates the enjoyably OTT from the faintly exhausting.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 79 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 83
  3. Negative: 1 out of 83
  1. 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: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
  2. 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 BeautifulI 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.… Collapse
  4. minimaldead
    Dec 30, 2016
    10
    This is an emotional iconic album, tracks so deeply and the chorus are the protagonists. The visuals are pure art, the booklet, the photoshootThis is an emotional iconic album, tracks so deeply and the chorus are the protagonists. The visuals are pure art, the booklet, the photoshoot are amazing. Simply, the best album of 2015… Expand
  5. FELIPEFERREIRA
    May 23, 2016
    10
    HB³ é, sem dúvidas, um dos cinco melhores álbuns que eu já escutei. Cada música é única e cada segundo desse álbum é mágico e encantador.HB³ é, sem dúvidas, um dos cinco melhores álbuns que eu já escutei. Cada música é única e cada segundo desse álbum é mágico e encantador. Florence encarou vários desafios para fazer esse álbum, desde deixar que não colocassem nenhum efeito em sua voz (que está mais deslumbrante do que nunca) até deixar de beber para terminar a composição das canções. "Which Witch", "Delilah", "Queen Of Peace", "Caught" e "Third Eye" são as melhores, mas afirmo, todas são maravilhosas.… Expand
  6. 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,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    … Expand
  7. diegonelli
    Sep 13, 2015
    9
    I was waiting a long for this and I'm not disappointed, this is great, I'm in love with Third Eye. I still don't know which is my F+TMI was waiting a long for this and I'm not disappointed, this is great, I'm in love with Third Eye. I still don't know which is my F+TM favorite album because they are all great!!… Expand
  8. SoundOfAMan
    Jun 2, 2015
    0
    I love Florence + the Machine, but I cound not get this one... I don't know. I expected sooooo much, but now I'm desappointed, frustrated andI love Florence + the Machine, but I cound not get this one... I don't know. I expected sooooo much, but now I'm desappointed, frustrated and disconsolate. I'll still listen What Kind of Man, Delilah and Ship To Wreck, because they are amazing musics, but the rest of the album... I pass, I'm so sorry... :(… Expand

See all 83 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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