Florence + The Machine – “Shake It Out”

It’s always darkest before the dawn…

Sometimes I’m convinced that Florence Welch doesn’t get enough credit.  Commercially, sure, she receives due monetary cash flow for superb singles like “Dog Days Are Over” and this very song – but as a real, true artist, I’m not sure that many people are bringing up Florence.  She’s one of the most recognizable voices in all of music, booming with authority and quivering with uncertainty all at the same time.  The music accompanying her iconic voice has only gotten better with time, with her most recent album High As Hope sounding like it could have been a sister album to Radiohead’s A Moon Shaped Pool.  Albeit, you know, slightly poppier.

Regardless, I’d presume that few users on this site would think to include Welch on a decade list, and that’s slightly disappointing (I hope I’m wrong).  Ceremonials was an absolutely breathtaking album back in 2011, and it remains one now.  As more time goes by, it inches towards become a classic of the modern indie pop canon.  Although the entire album unfurls with dark beauty, “Shake It Out” is a clear standout, serving as both an inspirational hymn of sorts as well as a radio staple.  The song has its fingerprints all over this decade, and it’s impossible to imagine a major music publication that wouldn’t at least recognize the song as one of the most wildly popular “alternative” tracks of the last 10 years.

All claims of influence, popularity, and/or artistry aside, “Shake It Out” is just a damn good song.  It’s dark, mysterious, and uplifting.  The lyrics are way better than they have any business being.  Welch delivers one of her best vocal performances, which is saying an awful lot in itself.  The chorus is downright addicting.  Yeah, this definitely belongs here.

Read more from this decade at my homepage for Sowing’s Songs of the Decade.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5JjmQsvmmmOBFnUjP7FLu4