Review: Florence + The Machine show how 'Big' and 'Beautiful' its music can be (Grade: A-minus)

With apologies to Florence Welch, let's compare the trajectories of British alternative bands Florence + The Machine and Mumford & Sons. (Yes, neither actually uses the word and in the band's title.)

Each band released its debut record in 2009. Each took a relatively lengthy break between the second and third releases. Mumford & Sons released its third, "Wilder Mind," at the beginning of May. Florence + The Machine has released its third record, "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful," today, at the beginning of June.

But while Mumford & Sons in 2015 seems a bit lost musically and has changed direction stylistically, Florence sounds more confident and defiant than ever.

"How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful" is the most grand and mature record so far from Florence + The Machine.

It strays very little from the sound of previous efforts from Welch and the band, "Lungs" (2009) and "Ceremonials" (2011). There are plenty of uptempo and anthemic songs with soaring choruses – "Ship to Wreck," "Queen of Peace" and "Third Eye" – to satisfy the big crowds at the various summer festivals Florence + The Machine will play as headliners this summer.

But what sets "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful" apart are the heavier-than-usual moments – an angry guitar and voice in "What Kind of Man" and the electrified closer "Mother" – and the almost orchestral feel to other tunes, like the title track and "Various Storms & Saints."

There might not be quite as many radio hits on "How Big" as there were on "Ceremonials," which was full of them. But "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful" is a solid, expansive record from an artist and band that have clearly reached a higher plane musically.