Photo Credit: Jason Leung on Unsplash
In May 2022, renowned indie-alt act Florence + the Machine released Dance Fever, their fifth and latest album. Produced by Jack Antonoff, Florence Welch and Dave Bayley of Glass Animals, the album, described via Instagram as a ‘fairy tale in 14 songs’ houses standout track, ‘Free’.
‘Free’ joins singles ‘My Love’ and ‘King’ with an aesthetically pleasing video choreographed by Ryan Heffington and directed by Autumn De Wilde.
Opening with a purple title sequence, the video casts its characters before the music starts. Shot in short film style with nearly 6 million views, it stars Bill Nighy in the role of Welch’s mental state. He embodies her anxiety and reveals how she grapples with it daily.
Holding a coffee cup and phone, Nighy chases Welch around floral backgrounds and clinical scenery like a shadow. They copy each other, revealing different sides of the same person. As they interact, Nighy, mimicking puppetry, literally picks the singer up and puts her down before running. Mirrored in the lyrics, 'I'm always running from something.'
While the subject matter seems serious, the song makes light of it. As the video continues, it interlaces dancing and humour, and Nighy gradually fades into the background. Although anxiety may be present, it doesn’t have to prevent people from living fully.
Welch places her head on Nighy’s shoulder at the end, signifying self-acceptance and concluding an uplifting film about freedom.
Not only does ‘Free’ speak to personal anxiety, but the fact it was filmed in Kyiv in November 2021 with a dedication to ‘the spirit, creativity and perseverance of our brave Ukrainian friends’, layers the conversation around individual anxiety upon one of national anxiety.
In the video, Welch powerfully and vulnerably acknowledges suffering, whether on a personal or global scale, while reminding viewers moments of relief will always seep through.
by Lauren Burns
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