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Speaking to OfficialCharts.com on their recent win, front-woman Florence Welch has given the following statement, “I’m so grateful and moved to be Number 1 in the UK. There were so many moments when I nearly gave up on this record. When it seemed impossible that it would ever get done. So to have it out in the world and be so embraced is an incredible feeling. Sending so much love and thanks to everyone.”

The group’s new album marks their fifth studio album and was released via Polydor Records on 13th May 2022. Along with its positive commercial reception, Dance Fever has also sired great critical acclaim upon its release. The recording and production of the album was originally scheduled to take place in New York during 2020 but due to Covid-19 the work was delayed. The city that never sleeps can be heard throughout the record; many musical elements associated with New York are incorporated within Dance Fever, the album also sees the band experiment with many different influences including genres such as disco, dance, classic pop and baroque music.

The promotion for the album began earlier this spring when Welch posted the release’s cover art on social media, and information concerning the album’s presale was also included within the post. The first track to be taken from the album was released on 23rd February 2022, “King” was the lead single and was co-written and produced by Welch and American multi-instrumentalist Jack Antonoff. The album’s second and third singles were released the following month and the fourth single “Free” recently dropped on 20th April 2022.  The melodic rock group took to Instagram today to announce the release of “Restraint“, a new track taken from Dance Fever.

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Elsewhere within the UK album charts, Kendrick Lamar’s fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, has placed at number two. The new release has been named this week’s most streamed album and is also the artist’s fourth album to place within the top 10 within the UK album charts. Lamar first gained a high chart placement with his third studio album To Pimp a Butterfly, which was released in 2015 the album placed at number one and was a huge critical success. The 34-year-old rapper next placed at number seven with his 2016 compilation album Untitled Unmastered, and again in 2017 with DAMN. which positioned at number two.

In support of their new album, Florence And The Machine will embark on their Dance Fever tour; the huge tour will include dates in North America, the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The worldwide concert series is set to begin after the group’s collection of European festival appearances, the band’s festival season includes sets at Orange Warsaw Festival 2022 and Madrid’s famed Mad Cool Festival. The group’s new tour will come to the UK this winter and is scheduled to include two London dates on 18th and 19th November 2022 at The O2.

Florence And The Machine UK tour dates

16/11/2022 – Motorpoint Arena Cardiff – Cardiff
18/11 – The O2 – London
19/11 – The O2 – London
21/11 – Bournemouth International Centre – Bournemouth
22/11 – AO Arena – Manchester
24/11 – Utilita Arena Birmingham – Birmingham
25/11 – First Direct Arena – Leeds
27/11 – Ovo Hydro – Glasgow
28/11 – Motorpoint Arena Nottingham – Nottingham
30/11 – 3Arena – Dublin

Click here to purchase tickets.

This evening, Welch took to her Instagram and posted the clip of her acoustic performance. Backed by an acoustic guitar, it appears Welch is singing in her bathroom. The post was captioned: “Thank you for all your kind words about the song, and for all your support for the Intensive Care Society,”

She adds: “I tried a little at home version for you.”

Welch talked about ‘Light Of Love’, saying: “The song is about the world coming at you so fast and you feel like you won’t survive it, but in actually bearing witness to the world as it is, it’s really the only place you can be of service.”

The ‘Sweet Nothing’ vocalist added: “I found so many ways to numb myself out, to hide from the world, and although waking up from that was painful, it’s never been more important not to look away, to keep an open heart even if it hurts, and to find ways to keep showing up for the people that need you. Even from a distance.”

Recently, the 33-year-old singer shared a ‘collective poem’. The themes of the poem focus on solidarity and support during the quarantine. She drew on the messages of fans for inspiration. Welch reached out to her supporters, asking: “Please write one line you would like to add to a ‘Collective Poem’ and I will try and piece it together,”

She added: “If you are feeling afraid, anxious or isolated I send you so much love. I am feeling the same. But creativity is a small blessing.”

Photo Credit: Sharon Alagna.