Album reviews

POP

Florence + The Machine: High As Hope (Republic/Virgin)

Although highly regarded for her forceful singing and performing (as well as for a dress sense she has described as “Lady of Shalott meets Ophelia, mixed with a scary gothic bat lady”), Florence Welch tones it down somewhat on her fourth album. On previous works, she often begins songs at a point of no return and shakes them until they submit, breathlessly, on ...