On Wednesday, Florence and the Machine released their sixth video in collaboration with director Vincent Haycock -- a series they've deemed The Odyssey. The video is for the song "Delilah" which Welch shares was the first song she and fellow band-made Isa wrote for this album. In the words of Ms. Welch:

It's based on a party we had just been to in Miami, the biblical tale of Sampson and Delilah. And the agony of the mobile phone in modern relationships.

Set in a run-down Los Angeles motel full of personal demons and a suffocating love, the video continues the tale of her tumultuous relationship. It's sinister and unsettling with Welch dancing possessed down the hallways, laying catatonic in a bed of women, and grappling with her other Self. To that end, it's also the turning point, bringing about her realization of the self-destructive habits she's become entangled in and her fight to release herself of their hold.

Now I'm dancing with Delilah and her vision is mine
(Holding on for your call)
A different kind of danger in the daylight
(I can never let go)

Throughout the video, we see her praying in a methodical, violent nature of hands clenched, forcefully swinging them backward over her head and then forward, backward and then forward, desperate for release. Later, as she confronts her other Self, the two wrangle through the motel, Florence coming to terms with the person she's been and what needs to be done to move forward, that which is realized when we see the other Self floating face down in a pool. We then immediately cut to Florence vigorously ripping her shirt off and spinning in her room as she liberates herself of the last bits of agony.

It's a restless and cathartic documentation of pain, faith and the difficult exorcism to self-forgiveness.

This Odyssey began in February with the "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful" teaser video for the band's upcoming album followed by the arresting video for the first single, "What Kind of Man." In the months to follow, the Florence and the Machine unleashed three more videos, played various televised performances, released the highly-anticipate album, kicked off a world tour including (and headlining) multiple festivals and, just last week, received a Mercury Prize nomination for Album of the Year.

Oh, and there was also their BBC Radio 1 performance where they played a hauntingly addictive cover of Skrillex and Diplo's "Where Are U Now" featuring Justin Bieber. For all of my initial skepticism on the song choice, Florence and the Machine met it with an exceptional balance of eerie piano and electronics, fully brought to life by Welch's timely vocal restraint turned wailing.

I had on it repeat for about a week. 

Florence is the most sought-after artist right now and it's clear the lady ain't slowing down. With her tour in full-swing and The Odyssey still to finish, there's much more to come from Ms. Welch.

In fact, Vincent Haycock confirms it. In an interview with Rookie Magazine, he speaks to the ending monologue of "Delilah" saying that "it’s from 'What Kind of Man,' which we’ll eventually cut into a larger cohesive film." 

I repeat, Mr. Haycock said a larger cohesive film.

That dream of a feature film that I long for (and previously mentioned) sounds like it's in the works, and my heart is swelling in devastating excitement.

The work that these two produce together hits every heartstring and soul-forsaken chord within, consistently. They're an incredible duo who draw out the most honest and poignant expression from one another and craft it into startlingly exquisite visual art.

Florence Welch and Vincent Haycock are the cardinal creative partners of my heart and I'm grateful they found each other. I hope that one day I too find my Vincent Haycock.

xxChris