Hear Florence and the Machine’s Epic ‘Final Fantasy’ Songs
Florence + the Machine have released three epic new songs recorded for the video game Final Fantasy XV. Singer Florence Welch teamed with producer Emile Haynie (Kanye West, Lana Del Rey, Bruno Mars) for the orchestral trio, which includes two originals – “Too Much Is Never Enough,” “I Will Be” – and a cover of Ben E. King anthem “Stand By Me,” Idolator reports.
“A year like this passing so strangely/ somewhere between sorrow and bliss,” Welch croons on “Too Much,” which builds from flutes and harp to a triumphant chorus that showcases her massive vibrato. “I Will Be” opens with hazy keys and slowly crescendos with marching snares, timpani, strings and choir. Welch’s reverent version of “Stand By Me,” which featured in the game’s March trailer, also features a grandiose orchestral arrangement.
“I’ve always seen Final Fantasy as a beautiful and creative game so I don’t think I could have worked with another video game,” Welch said. “It wouldn’t have made sense. In some ways the landscape of Final Fantasy and my own internal landscape seemed to fit quite well. It’s mythical and beautiful and epic.”
Final Fantasy XV is out September 30th. Florence + the Machine released their third album, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, last year.