When “Lungs” was outselling every other album of the day, many thought we’d found the new Kate Bush. Florence Welch could do no wrong. Then the diva came out and dating celebrities took over from the music and stability. “High As Hope” marks a spectacular return to everything we fell in love with the first time around. It’s a back to basics with a stark sound made beautiful thanks to some fine production that brings out the subtle emotion in Welch’s unique voice. Oh how we’ve missed this. Welcome back Florence, and your machine. Please stay this time.
> Gary Trueman
