Florence and the Machine: Lungs

Worth bagging for the staggering drive-pop grandeur of ‘Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up)’ alone, this surprisingly compelling debut from skewed London chorister Florence Welch largely justifies, and even outshines, the hype.

Abounding with curious musical narratives and colossal, power-pipe arias, Lungs’ soulful electro-rock and darkly mythical lyrics bring forth the likes of Jefferson Airplane, Kate Bush, Eurythmics – even the dance anthems of, say, Moby. Its highlights include the bluesy ‘Howl’, ‘Girl With One Eye’, ‘Between Two Lungs’ and ‘Kiss with a Fist’.

The vacillating ballad ‘I’m Not Calling You a Liar’, meanwhile, recalls no less a legend than Elkie Brooks. Which is very much a compliment.

(Island)