I have been listening to the Florence and the Machine album Lungs which celebrated it’s physical release on October 13 for about a week straight. It wasn’t until just now that I think I really got a hold on it, and it has turned my initial romance with her in to a full blown obsession. An entirely chance discovery with great returns. I have lately (or maybe always) really been drawn to music that defies categorization. With one of her songs, you can never quite know where you’ll end up, but you’re always happy you came. Every so often, I am caught off guard with how beautiful her voice can be, operatic, soulful and frighteningly intense. When she sings, “I’m not calling you a ghost / just stop haunting me” a shiver literally runs down my spine. This girl knows how to deliver a line with a punch and the utmost sincerity at the same time. Tracks start almost a capella and build to a level of firestorm-like intensity (or how I would imagine a firestorm to be). One is constantly left guessing, but always feeling. It was so so hard to choose tracks from the bundle of joy that is this album (so go buy the rest of it and see what I’m talking about!), so I can only hope to have done it justice.

Florence and the Machine – Cosmic Love
Florence and the Machine – Bird Song
Florence and the Machine – Between Two Lungs

and because with a line like “No more dreaming like a girl so in love/so in love with the wrong one” it really was impossible to leave out:
Florence and the Machine – Blinding

Also would like to officially welcome new contributor Chuck P., check out his awesome post below.