The eighties are well and truly back yet again aren't they? I recall the first Florence & the Machine single landing in new boy Brett's pile and giggled as his lip curled into a sneer that'd have Billy Idol seething with envy. I've got her "newie" 'Rabbit Heart' and the sleeve is enough to give me the shivers. A demented kohl eyed woman using a white bunny to hide her bloody fang-filled mouth and obscene warty chin no doubt. Think she's wearing proper old lacy granny knick knacks too. She needs a lie down...The song is damn catchy with an irresistible anthemic chorus kinda nicked from a big chart hit from the late 80s/early 90s. She's got that Bat For Lashes thang going on, she obviously sleeps with a copy of Tango in the Night under her bed. Ant & Philthy agree she's leading the female leg of whatever glossy pop revival Jack Penate is spearheading. It's pretty rich, quality radio pop with a classic sheen and the words smash hit cannot be avoided here. Cockney barrow boy Jamie T sprinkles his dubious magic over it in the form of a remix. Wot! Why no dubstep/breakzzz version?
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Sound clips for Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up) by Florence And The Machine: on vinyl at Norman Records UK. 7" (vinyl), Island, 2710003, £3.99.
‘As charismatic in her own, utterly distinctive way, Welch looks and sounds like a star.’ The Sunday Times Culture
‘Florence and the Machine’s mad art-pop will be 2009’s most beautiful noise.’ The Guardian Guide
After releasing just two limited singles (‘Kiss With A Fist’ and ‘Dog Days Are Over’) the magnetic Florence & The Machine has built up a formidable following of fans and critics alike, even winning this years highly prestigious Critics Choice BRIT Award. Now with the impressive debut album ‘Lungs’ Florence Welch looks set to exceed all hype and expectation, blowing her contemporaries out of the water.
The first single from her new album is Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) released on 21st June. It is a riotous track that brings Florence to the main stage and proves why the critics love her so much but why the charts will love her too.
