She wonders if she belongs here, on the outskirts of a small, pastoral town, miles and miles from the place that she once called home. It’s much different than the skyscraper, glass city she was born in. Nothing shines with glitter and gold, or reeks of cheap perfume and bottles of spilled beer. It’s peaceful, a picturesque moment frozen in time. She is the only thing that looks out of place. She is the only one who stands out; an unnatural figure, a spectral shadow shaking like a tambourine.

Against the rolling hills dipped in deep emerald and clear, sea-foam sky, she strides near the dangerous cliff-side and the abandoned homesteads destroyed by age and fire. She is a roving wolf wandering the vast countryside, on the hunt for her next craving, her next meal. If you look close enough, you’ll see her crimson heels slightly hovering above the dew-covered blades of grass, never sinking into the mud as she walks; extraordinary and normal all at the same time.

Heart heavy and full of longing, she’s supposed to want the unwavering quiet, but can’t help but recognize the chaos and havoc haunting her veins. It’s unmistakable, the hum and drum beneath her skin. It’s a feeling she’s come back to again and again, even in these sporadic episodes of respite.

It may have been her choice to leave, but they always want her to stay. They want her to stay with them forever as they hold decaying bouquets of bashful daffodils in her honor; as they howl, unclad, underneath the stark moonlight together. But to stay is heaven and hell. To stay means running herself ragged, leaving blood and bone on the stage. Yet, it makes her feel loved and that love is never enough. She needs more, and more, until the only thing left is a trail of tears and a name on her pale, painted lips.

Even now, she can hear their cacophonous chorus in the distance, faint and faded, breathless and begging. A spell, staring slowly and softly, like a siren’s song or a witch’s chant. Eventually, a new era begins and the disembodied cries grow so loud they start to become one, and she can’t resist. She must embrace it. For it’s her turn to take up the whole sky, to leave her solace for her savior. After all, it’s where she’s meant to be. She is their king. She’s the only one who can make them scream.

✨ Everybody Scream, the title track from Florence + The Machine’s sixth studio album is available to download and stream on Apple Music NOW ✨

Pre-order the album, which debuts on All Hallows Eve, HERE.

What did you think of “Everybody Scream?” What did you think of the video? Which lyric was your favorite? Did you catch all the references to Florence’s concert requests? Can’t wait for the new album? Tell me in the comments!