This analysis piece comes after the epic release of Florence + the Machine’s second teaser single ‘Heaven Is Here’, followed closely by the lead single ‘My Love’.

For some context, ‘My Love’ is a song about writer’s block that Florence was experiencing prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then how the pandemic itself forced Florence into a state of isolation from both her music in her professional life, and from seeing her loved one in her personal life. This is reflected through Autumn De Wilde’s masterpiece music video, detailed below.

The video begins in a pre-pandemic scenario, with a still but intense few seconds of Florence breathing. This is a theme that runs through all of the videos so far. This may be used to symbolise intimacy and vulnerability, as well as isolation and aloneness, all of which are concepts that COVID-19 amplified in 2020.

Florence appears fearful, with back to her audience, almost as if she does not want to perform. She contorts her hands as if controlled by string; as if she is a puppet to the musical world. This reiterates the line from ‘King’ “dragged me by my hair and back on with the show”. Florence realises that she doesn’t have a choice - the show must go on. Notice that when Florence turns to face the audience, her composure and persona completely changes. Suddenly, her face is one of confidence, standing elegantly and commanding the stage. This scene may be to reflect that behind closed doors, just as highlighted in ‘King’, Florence feels vulnerable and fearful, but being on stage is a moment of catharsis, and also where she must display confidence to the world. Her band and audience sit motionless, like wax-work figures (just as in ‘King’). This may be to highlight that her subjects of writing (her music, her friends and her partner) are models; lifeless topics of interest about which she observes, reduce to lifeless beings, and writes about. It could also be that, as she meanders between these people, she is trying to decide where to put her love, but her inability to decide means she feels disconnected from them.

Then, suddenly, the audience is standing, gasping. This is the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the world watched in shock as events unfolded. Florence is panicking, trying to navigate the situation but she cannot gain control.

Florence is left alone now that the audience have been isolated from her, instead surrounded by her ‘lace children’ - her inner thoughts, demons, and support. They dance frantically around her as her thoughts race and panic. One by one, they succumb to the effects of her isolation, collapsing as they do, until Florence no longer has any to support her, and she too collapses.

What is left as a broken version of herself, attempting to navigate the situation in the dark; alone and isolated. She rises again, but as a changed person. We hear the breathing once again to highlight her aloneness and vulnerability, except this time it is away from the performance and the stage.

Also of note, and as pointed out by one of our admins Ariel, Florence’s dress deconstructs and thus becomes less extravagent as the ‘show’ proceeds. This is possibly a reference to her becoming more and more vulnerable (Florence has previously stated that she used clothes to hide her insecurities), and also how COVID-19 stripped her usual freedoms and outlets, including that of fashion.

What are your thoughts? We’d love to hear them below! We’re still trying to work out the significance of the young man, seen first in the King video and now helping her climb down from the stage and facing the other way from everyone else in the gasping scene. Let us know what you think.