Florence + the Machine – Free

‘Free’ is the latest single to be taken from Florence + the Machines’ forthcoming 5th studio album Dance Fever. It follows the most recent single, ‘My Love’, album launch track ‘King’ and the powerful choral chant of ‘Heaven is Here’, all of which offered flashes of insight into the brilliance of the full record that was set to unfold.

With Florence reigning as the visionary of the album, creative director Autumn de Wilde and choreographer Ryan Heffington added their magic touch to all visuals to date, bringing their unique, high-calibre artistry to each song. ‘Free’ continues the legacy by enlisting British hero of film and drama, Bill Nighy to feature in the video in the role of Florence’s anxiety.

With ‘Free’, Florence embraces her love of lo-fi leftfield electronics, sounding both eminently self analytical and knowing but at the same time triumphantly celebrating the joys of release in the post pandemic world.

It was clubs, dancing at festivals, being in the whirl of movement and ultimately music and togetherness that Florence missed the most during lockdown. It was the hopes and dreams of reunions with loved ones and dancing with strangers that helped keep the momentum of Dance Fever alive. That ecstasy, proximity, euphoria at the possibilities of movement served as a reminder of the loss of performance and dancing in clubs. Afterall, music is the unique art form that has the power to help you lose yourself and feel free of anxieties, even if for a moment.

Dance Fever is an album that sees Florence at the peak of her powers, coming into a fully realised self-knowledge, poking sly fun at her own self-created persona, playing with ideas of identity, masculine and feminine, redemptive, celebratory, stepping fully into her place in the iconic pantheon.

Produced by Florence Welch, Jack Antonoff and Dave Bayley, Dance Fever is the album that brings back the very best of Florence and was made for the stage. After her 3 night run of intimate UK shows sold out in 1 minute of going on sale, Florence + the Machine announced her Dance Fever Tour for November which takes in multiple arena shows including two nights at The O2 in London.

Florence’s chosen charity partner for this tour is Choose Love whereby £1 from every ticket sold on this tour will be donated to them. Choose Love does whatever it takes to provide refugees and displaced people with everything from lifesaving rescue boats to food and legal advice. Their work has reached over 1.8 million people and supported over 250 fast-acting community organisations across Europe, the Middle East and along the US-Mexico border. Everything they do is powered by a vision of a world that chooses love and justice every day, for everyone.

Listen to this song and more new music premieres on “The New Music Show”, playing daily at 5.30pm PT/8.30pm ET on Channel R – Today’s Hits & Your All-Time Favorites.