ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Florence + The Machine High As Hope Virgin EMI, out now ★★★★★
With any new Florence + The Machine song, the question is how quickly it can propel itself to a peak of piano-pounding emotion (usually about two minutes). High As Hope, Florence Welch and co’s fourth album, challenges that formula a bit. The bluesy Big God doesn’t go for the rousing climax, and Grace finds gospel uplift without stripping the gears. However, there’s plenty of muscle among the restraint – Hunger and Patricia are vintage hairflingers.