View source for How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

{{Short description|2015 studio album by Florence and the Machine}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox album
| name = How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
| type = studio
| artist = [[Florence and the Machine]]
| cover = Florence and the Machine - How Big How Blue How Beautiful (Official Album Cover).png
| caption = Standard CD and LP cover{{efn|The deluxe edition and digital download album cover only includes the grayscale photograph of Florence Welch.}}
| border = yes
| released = {{Start date|2015|5|29|df=yes}}<!--First release date-->
| recorded = February 2014 – 2015
| studio =
* The Pool (London){{efn|Tracks 1–10 and 12; woodwind on track 10}}
* [[Angel Recording Studios|Angel]] (London){{efn|Brass on tracks 2–4 and 9; strings on tracks 3–5; flute on tracks 3 and 4}}
* Urchin (London){{efn|Track 4}}
* Lightship 95 (London){{efn|Track 12}}
* [[Sarm West Studios|Sarm Studio 1]] (London){{efn|name=Track 13|Track 13}}
* No. 1 Baltic Place (London){{efn|name=Track 13}}
* Bedrock Rehearsal (Los Angeles){{efn|Tracks 14 and 16}}
* 123 (London){{efn|Track 15}}
| genre =
* [[Indie pop]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Ennor |first=Laura |url=https://www.list.co.uk/article/71340-florence-and-the-machine-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful/ |title=Florence and the Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful |work=[[The List (magazine)|The List]] |date=2 June 2015 |access-date=7 May 2016}}</ref>
* [[alternative pop]]
* [[Soul music|soul]]
* [[art rock]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Reed |first=Ryan |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/06/florence-the-machine-how-big-how-blue-how-beautifu.html |title=Florence + the Machine: ''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful'' Review |work=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |date=2 June 2015 |access-date=7 May 2016}}</ref>
| length = 48:46
| label = [[Island Records|Island]]
| producer =
* [[Markus Dravs]]
* [[Kid Harpoon]]
* [[John Hill (record producer)|John Hill]]
* [[Paul Epworth]]
* [[James Ford (musician)|James Ford]]
* [[Charlie Hugall]]
* [[Isabella Summers]]
* Brett Shaw
* [[Dan Wilson (musician)|Dan Wilson]]
| prev_title = [[MTV Unplugged (Florence and the Machine album)|MTV Unplugged]]
| prev_year = 2012
| next_title = [[High as Hope]]
| next_year = 2018
| misc = {{Singles
| name = How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
| type = studio
| single1 = [[What Kind of Man (Florence and the Machine song)|What Kind of Man]]
| single1date = 12 February 2015
| single2 = [[Ship to Wreck]]
| single2date = 9 April 2015
| single3 = [[Queen of Peace (song)|Queen of Peace]]
| single3date = 4 September 2015
| single4 = [[Delilah (Florence and the Machine song)|Delilah]]
| single4date = 27 November 2015
}}
}}
'''''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful''''' is the third studio album by the English [[indie rock]] band [[Florence and the Machine]], released on 29 May 2015 by [[Island Records]]. After her year-long break from music, the lead vocalist, [[Florence Welch]], returned to configure the album, recording material that dealt with personal conflicts and struggles. In comparison to the band's two previous studio albums, it is much more refined and stripped-down instrumentally, and incorporates a mixture of musical influences such as [[Folk music|folk]], [[blues]] and [[Gospel music|gospel]].
''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful'' was met with positive reviews from [[Music journalism|music critic]]s, who commended the album for its cohesion, production and Welch's vocal delivery. It appeared on several year-end critics' lists. The album entered the [[UK Albums Chart]] at number one with 68,788 copies sold in its first week, becoming the band's third consecutive number-one album. Four [[Single (music)|single]]s were released, "[[What Kind of Man (Florence and the Machine song)|What Kind of Man]]", "[[Ship to Wreck]]", "[[Queen of Peace (song)|Queen of Peace]]" and "[[Delilah (Florence and the Machine song)|Delilah]]". The album earned the band five [[Grammy Award]] nominations, in addition to being shortlisted for the 2015 [[Mercury Prize]].
==Background==
In 2011, Florence and the Machine released their second studio album, ''[[Ceremonials]]'', which was their second consecutive release to peak at number one on the UK Albums Chart, as well as the first to reach the top 10 of the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], peaking at number six.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bychawski |first=Adam |url=http://www.nme.com/news/florence-and-the-machine/60232 |title=Florence And The Machine's 'Ceremonials' goes straight to Number One |work=[[NME]] |date=6 November 2011 |access-date=24 December 2015}}<br>- {{cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/465232/justin-biebers-mistletoe-brightens-billboard-200-with-no-1-debut |title=Justin Bieber's 'Mistletoe' Brightens Billboard 200 With No. 1 Debut |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=9 November 2011 |access-date=17 March 2012}}</ref> The album included the song "[[Spectrum (Say My Name)]]", which was remixed by the Scottish musician [[Calvin Harris]] and became the group's first number-one single on the [[UK Singles Chart]] in July 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lane |first=Dan |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/florence-and-the-machine-score-first-ever-number-1-with-a-little-help__2256/ |title=Florence And The Machine score first ever Number 1 with a little help |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |date=15 July 2012 |access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref> In late August 2012, Welch told ''[[Style.com]]'' that she would take a year-long break from music, explaining, "There's a big 'take a year off' plan. The record company have put no pressure on me for the next album. They've said I can have as long as I want."<ref>{{cite web |last=Bychawski |first=Adam |url=http://www.nme.com/news/florence-and-the-machine/65761 |title=Florence And The Machine's Florence Welsh to 'take a year off' |work=NME |date=27 August 2012 |access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref> During her break, Welch made a guest appearance on Calvin Harris's album ''[[18 Months]]'', providing vocals on the track "[[Sweet Nothing (Calvin Harris song)|Sweet Nothing]]", which topped the UK chart.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hogan |first=Marc |url=https://www.spin.com/2012/09/florence-welch-calvin-harris-sweet-nothing-video/ |title=Florence Welch Suits Up for Calvin Harris' 'Sweet Nothing' Video |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |date=21 September 2012 |access-date=19 December 2015}}<br>- {{cite web |last=Barstein |first=Brand |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/calvin-harris-florence-score-second-collaborative-number-1-of-the-year__2480/ |title=Calvin Harris & Florence score second collaborative Number 1 of the year |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=21 October 2012 |access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref>
==Conception and recording==
In an interview with [[Zane Lowe]] on 16 February 2015, Welch said that during the year off she had "a bit of a nervous breakdown", and that time was chaotic. The break was new for her, having almost constantly been at work during the making of the band's first two albums. She explained further, saying, "I was still going out and going to events but something wasn't quite right, I was spiraling a bit. I wasn't making myself happy. I wasn't stable."<ref name="return"/> It allowed her to reassess her musical approach to reflect her own life experiences, with encouragement from producer [[Markus Dravs]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mackay |first=Emily |date=2015-06-02 |title=Florence + The Machine Interview: On Turmoil, Hollywood Witchcraft And New Album 'How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful' |url=https://www.nme.com/features/florence-the-machine-interview-on-turmoil-hollywood-witchcraft-and-new-album-how-big-how-blue-how-be-756761 |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> Overall, the recording sessions for ''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful'' were conducted during a vulnerable period in her life, making the album her most personal work thus far.<ref name="return">{{cite web |last=Cooper |first=Leonie |url=http://www.nme.com/news/florence-and-the-machine/82946 |title=Florence Welch reveals 'chaotic' year and 'nervous breakdown' behind new album |work=NME |date=16 February 2015 |access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref>
Welch began composing the material for ''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful'' after concluding the band's touring in support of ''Ceremonials'' in 2014.<ref name="forbes">{{cite web |last=McIntyre |first=Hugh |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2015/06/04/florence-the-machine-get-candid-about-their-incredible-new-album/ |title=Florence + The Machine Get Candid About Their Incredible New Album |work=[[Forbes]] |date=4 June 2015 |access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref> Regarding the album's themes, she said in a press statement, "I guess although I've always dealt in fantasy and metaphor when I came to writing, that meant the songs this time were dealing much more in reality. ''Ceremonials'' was so fixated on death and water, and the idea of escape or transcendence through death, but the new album became about trying to learn how to live, and how to love in the world rather than trying to escape from it. Which is frightening because I'm not hiding behind anything but it felt like something I had to do."<ref name="COS">{{cite web |last=Geslani |first=Michelle |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2015/02/florence-and-the-machine-premiere-what-kind-of-man-the-first-single-from-their-new-album-listen/ |title=Florence & the Machine premiere "What Kind of Man", the first single from new album |work=[[Consequence of Sound]] |date=12 February 2015 |access-date=12 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="Spin">{{cite web |last=Carley |first=Brennan |url=https://www.spin.com/2015/02/florence-and-the-machine-what-kind-of-man-music-video/ |title=Florence + the Machine Announce Third Album, 'How Big How Blue How Beautiful' |work=Spin |date=12 February 2015 |access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref> Welch also told Lowe that Dravs was instrumental in exploring her lyrical versatility, as he forebade her to write any more songs about water, a main theme in her past compositions. Still, she managed to write "Ship to Wreck", a song which she jokingly commented was "not too explicit" in comparison to her past works.<ref name="return"/>
On 4 June 2014, Welch told ''[[NME]]'' that the band's third studio album was in the works.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bychawski |first=Adam |url=http://www.nme.com/news/florence-and-the-machine/77735 |title=Florence Welch feels she's been 'hiding in a studio 24 hours a day' working on new album |work=NME |date=5 June 2014 |access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref> There was an emphasised effort to avoid heavily orchestrating the instrumental arrangements, or as Welch described it, "make ''Ceremonials'' Part Two", as she believed the predecessor had reached its creative peak.<ref name="forbes"/> Welch said that she wanted to work with Dravs on the album, as he produced [[Björk]]'s ''[[Homogenic]]'' (1997), an important album to Welch. "I felt he had that balance of organic and electronic capabilities, managing those two worlds. And, you know, he's good with big sounds. And I like big sounds. And he's good with trumpets, and I knew I wanted a brass section on this record", she said in the press release.<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine |first=Chris |last=Payne |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6472668/florence-machine-what-kind-man-video-new-album-how-big-blue-beautiful-2015-welch |title=Florence + the Machine Shares New Song/Music Video, Announces New Album Details |magazine=Billboard |date=12 February 2015 |access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref> "With Markus, I wanted to make something that was big but that had a gentleness to it, that had a warmth, that was rooted. I think that's why we went back more to the live instruments. Something that was band-led almost", she added.<ref name="Rolling Stone">{{cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/florence-and-the-machine-announce-new-album-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-20150212 |title=Florence and the Machine Announce New Album 'How Big How Blue How Beautiful' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=12 February 2015 |access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref> The final track on the album, "Mother", was co-produced by Dravs and [[Paul Epworth]].<ref name="Billboard"/><ref name="Rolling Stone"/>
==Promotion==
{{See also|How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful Tour}}
On 10 February 2015, Florence and the Machine released a music video featuring a snippet of the album's title track, "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful". The video, which showed Welch dancing with her [[look-alike]],<ref name="Rolling Stone"/> was directed by Tabitha Denholm and Vincent Haycock, and served as an album [[Teaser campaign|teaser]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2015/02/florence-and-the-machine-premiere-new-song-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-listen/ |title=Florence and the Machine premiere new song "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful" |work=Consequence of Sound |date=10 February 2015 |access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="Guardian">{{cite web |last=Gibsone |first=Harriet |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/12/florence-and-the-machine-announce-details-of-new-album-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful |title=Florence and The Machine announce details of new album, How Big How Blue How Beautiful |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=12 February 2015 |access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref>
The band performed "What Kind of Man" and "Ship to Wreck" on ''[[Later... with Jools Holland]]'' on 28 April 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/59454-florence-welch-performs-what-kind-of-man-with-a-broken-foot-on-jools-holland/ |title=Florence Welch Performs "What Kind of Man" With a Broken Foot on "Jools Holland" |work=Pitchfork |date=30 April 2015 |access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref> On 9 May, the band performed both songs on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Camp |first=Zoe |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/59527-florence-and-the-machine-perform-what-kind-of-man-ship-to-wreck-on-saturday-night-live/ |title=Florence and the Machine Perform "What Kind of Man", "Ship to Wreck" on "Saturday Night Live" |work=Pitchfork |date=10 May 2015 |access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref> The group performed "Ship to Wreck" on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon]]'' on June 2.<ref>{{cite web |last=Beauchemin |first=Molly |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/59808-florence-and-the-machine-perform-ship-to-wreck-on-fallon/ |title=Florence and The Machine Perform "Ship to Wreck" on "Fallon" |work=Pitchfork |date=3 June 2015 |access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref>
The band performed at numerous European festivals in summer 2015, including [[Way Out West (festival)|Way Out West]] in Sweden, headlining [[Glastonbury festival]], [[Super Bock Super Rock]] in Portugal and [[Rock Werchter]] in Belgium, among others.<ref>{{cite web |last=Khomami |first=Nadia |url=http://www.nme.com/news/florence-and-the-machine/82029 |title=Florence + The Machine's third album thought to be almost finished |work=NME |date=5 January 2015 |access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref> On 9 September 2015, the group's tour in support of the album kicked off in [[Belfast]], Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://florenceandthemachine.seetickets.com/tour/florence-the-machine |title=Florence + The Machine Tickets |publisher=[[See Tickets]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619000258/http://florenceandthemachine.seetickets.com/tour/florence-the-machine |archive-date=19 June 2015 |access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Britton |first=Luke Morgan |url=http://www.nme.com/news/florence-and-the-machine/86019 |title=Florence + The Machine announce K and Ireland tour for September |work=NME |date=8 June 2015 |access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref>
===''The Odyssey''===
Starting on 12 February 2015, the band released a series of Vincent Haycock-directed music videos for several songs from the album, with each video acting as a chapter in a story titled ''The Odyssey''. The complete 47-minute short film premiered via the band's website on 25 April 2016, consisting of all previously released videos, as well as new connecting scenes and a new final chapter, set to "Third Eye". Haycock explained that ''The Odyssey'' follows "Florence's personal journey to find herself again after the emotional storm of a heartbreak. Like the layers of [[Dante Alighieri|Dante]]'s purgatory, each song or chapter represents a battle that Florence traversed and physical landscape that embodied each song or story."<ref>{{cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/64962-florence-the-machine-share-short-film-the-odyssey-watch/ |title=Florence + the Machine Share Short Film ''The Odyssey'': Watch |work=Pitchfork |date=25 April 2016 |access-date=25 April 2016}}</ref>
* Chapter 1: "What Kind of Man"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgeKHTcufLY |title=Florence + The Machine – What Kind Of Man (The Odyssey – Chapter 1) |date=12 February 2015 |access-date=16 November 2015 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
* Chapter 2: "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful" {{small|(connecting scene different to teaser video)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCM8Qf3eGMQ |title=Florence + The Machine – How Big How Blue How Beautiful (Chapter 2) |date=10 February 2015 |access-date=25 April 2016 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
* Chapter 3: "St. Jude"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEMSJf723BI |title=Florence + The Machine – St Jude (The Odyssey – Chapter 3) |date=23 March 2015 |access-date=16 November 2015 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
* Chapter 4: "Ship to Wreck"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9v8jLBrvug |title=Florence + The Machine – Ship To Wreck (The Odyssey – Chapter 4) |date=13 April 2015 |access-date=16 November 2015 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
* Chapter 5: "Queen of Peace"<ref name="Odyssey 5 & 6">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSM0lLbVYOo |title=Florence + The Machine – Queen of Peace & Long and Lost (The Odyssey – Chapters 5 and 6) |date=27 July 2015 |access-date=16 November 2015 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
* Chapter 6: "Long & Lost"<ref name="Odyssey 5 & 6"/>
* Chapter 7: "Mother" {{small|(connecting scene)}}
* Chapter 8: "Delilah"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZr5Tid3Qw4 |title=Florence + The Machine – Delilah (The Odyssey – Chapter 8) |date=21 October 2015 |access-date=16 November 2015 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
* Chapter 9: "Third Eye"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCM8Qf3eGMQ |title=Florence + The Machine – Third Eye (The Odyssey – Chapter 9) |date=25 April 2016 |access-date=25 April 2016 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
* Credits: "Various Storms & Saints"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://florenceandthemachine.net/ |title=The Odyssey – Florence + The Machine |website=FlorenceAndTheMachine.net}}</ref>
==Singles==
"[[What Kind of Man (Florence and the Machine song)|What Kind of Man]]" was released as the lead single from the album two days after the "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful" teaser.<ref name="Guardian"/> The song was premiered on [[BBC Radio 1]] on 12 February 2015 at 7:30&nbsp;p.m. local time along with an announcement of the album's release date, title and track listing.<ref name="COS"/> The music video, directed by Vincent Haycock and choreographed by [[Ryan Heffington]],<ref name="Spin"/> premiered online shortly afterwards, along with the album's pre-order.<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/58405-florence-and-the-machine-share-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-video/ |title=Florence and the Machine Share "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful" Video |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=10 February 2015 |access-date=10 February 2015}}</ref> The single reached number 37 on the UK Singles Chart and number 88 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="ukcharts">{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/5108/florence-and-the-machine/ |title=Florence & The Machine {{!}} full Official Chart History |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=florence + the machine|chart=Hot 100}} |title=Florence and the Machine – Chart history: The Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref> On 18 April 2015, "What Kind of Man" was issued as a limited-edition 12-inch vinyl for [[Record Store Day]], featuring "As Far as I Could Get" as its B-side.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6538685/hear-florence-the-machine-record-store-day-b-side-as-far-as-i-could-get |title=Hear Florence + the Machine's Record Store Day B-Side 'As Far As I Could Get' |magazine=Billboard |date=18 April 2015 |access-date=19 April 2015}}</ref>
"[[Ship to Wreck]]" was released as the second single on 9 April 2015.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Spanos |first=Brittany |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/florence-the-machine-build-a-ship-to-wreck-in-new-song-20150408 |title=Florence + the Machine Build a 'Ship to Wreck' in New Song |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=8 April 2015 |access-date=19 April 2015}}</ref> The music video for the song, also shot by Haycock, choreographed by Heffington and filmed in Welch's own house, was released on 13 April.<ref>{{cite web |last=Geslani |first=Michelle |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2015/04/florence-and-the-machine-premiere-video-for-ship-to-wreck-watch/ |title=Florence and the Machine premiere video for "Ship to Wreck" — watch |work=Consequence of Sound |date=13 April 2015 |access-date=19 April 2015}}</ref> The track peaked at number 27 on the UK chart.<ref name="ukcharts"/>
"[[Queen of Peace (song)|Queen of Peace]]" was released as the third single on 4 September 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Queen-Peace-Hot-Chip-Remix/dp/B014HWBZW8 |title=Queen Of Peace (Hot Chip Remix): Florence + The Machine: MP3 Downloads |website=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] |location=United Kingdom |access-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222224149/http://www.amazon.co.uk/Queen-Peace-Hot-Chip-Remix/dp/B014HWBZW8 |archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref> The music video was issued prior to the single on 27 July 2015 as a 10-minute [[double-feature]], including the song "Long and Lost", and was filmed on the Scottish island of [[Easdale]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Geslani |first=Michelle |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2015/07/florence-and-the-machine-premiere-cinematic-video-for-queen-of-peace-and-long-lost-watch/ |title=Florence and the Machine premiere cinematic video for "Queen of Peace" and "Long & Lost" — watch |work=Consequence of Sound |date=27 July 2015 |access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref>
"[[Delilah (Florence and the Machine song)|Delilah]]" was released as the fourth and final single from the album on 27 November 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Delilah-Galantis-Remix-Florence-Machine/dp/B018S5AJH2 |title=Delilah (Galantis Remix): Florence + The Machine: MP3 Downloads |website=Amazon |location=United Kingdom |access-date=11 August 2022}}</ref> The track premiered as a Hottest Record on [[Annie Mac]]'s BBC Radio 1 show on 19 May 2015,<ref>{{cite web |last=Torres |first=Eric |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/59628-florence-and-the-machine-share-delilah/ |title=Florence and the Machine Share "Delilah" |work=Pitchfork |date=19 May 2015 |access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Milton |first=Jamie |url=http://diymag.com/2015/05/20/florence-the-machine-debuts-delilah-single |title=Florence + The Machine debuts 'Delilah' single |work=[[DIY (magazine)|DIY]] |date=20 May 2015 |access-date=24 May 2015}}</ref> and its accompanying music video premiered on 21 October.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gordon |first=Jeremy |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/61722-florence-and-the-machine-share-delilah-video/ |title=Florence and the Machine Share "Delilah" Video |work=Pitchfork |date=21 October 2015 |access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref> The song, along with its demo version, was released as a limited-edition 12-inch vinyl for Record Store Day on 16 April 2016, including a cover of [[Neil Young]]'s "[[Only Love Can Break Your Heart]]" as its B-side.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/8529 |title=Florence + The Machine – Delilah / Only Love Can Break Your Heart |publisher=[[Record Store Day]] |access-date=25 April 2016}}</ref>
===Other songs===
A music video for "St. Jude" premiered on 23 March 2015. Considered to be a continuation of the video for "What Kind of Man", it was also directed by Haycock and choreographed by Heffington and sees Florence Welch "traveling through their version of the ''[[Divine Comedy]]''."<ref>{{cite web |last=Gordon |first=Jeremy |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/58942-florence-and-the-machine-shares-st-jude-video/ |title=Florence and the Machine Shares "St. Jude" Video |work=Pitchfork |date=23 March 2015 |access-date=25 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Goodman |first=Jessica |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/23/florence-the-machine-st-jude_n_6924728.html |title=Florence + The Machine Release Another New Song, 'St. Jude' |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |date=23 March 2015 |access-date=25 March 2015}}</ref>
==Critical reception==
{{Music ratings<!-- 10 review maximum, per Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums/Article_body#Critical_reception -->
| ADM = 7.4/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/7231/Florence-+-The-Machine-How-Big-How-Blue-How-Beautiful.aspx |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful by Florence + The Machine reviews |website=AnyDecentMusic? |access-date=6 December 2019}}</ref>
| MC = 77/100<ref name="Metacritic"/>
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic"/>
| rev2 = ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''
| rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="billbard-review"/>
| rev3 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''
| rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="telegraph"/>
| rev4 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev4score = A−<ref name="ew"/>
| rev5 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="guardian-review"/>
| rev6 = ''[[NME]]''
| rev6score = 8/10<ref name="nme-review"/>
| rev7 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev7score = 7.6/10<ref name="pitchfork-review"/>
| rev8 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="q-review"/>
| rev9 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev9score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="rollingstone-review"/>
| rev10 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''
| rev10score = 7/10<ref name="spin"/>
}}
''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful'' received positive reviews from critics. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[weighted mean]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 77, based on 31 reviews.<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful/florence-+-the-machine |title=Reviews for How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful by Florence + the Machine |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=12 June 2015}}</ref> Kyle Anderson of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' viewed ''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful'' as "Florence + the Machine's most raw and stripped-down album to date", adding that "Welch may have gone slightly smaller with her sound, but her emotional depth and capacity for wonder remain gigantic."<ref name="ew">{{cite magazine |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/04/how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-florence-machine-ew-review |title='How Big How Blue How Beautiful' by Florence + The Machine: EW review |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=4 June 2015 |access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref> Michael Madden of ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' hailed it as "the strongest Florence album to date" due to Welch having "reached a new level of eloquence in her writing, making her a more complete artist than ever", concluding that "it's apparent she's among her generation's most deserving superstars, maintaining a stunning balance of technical mastery and sensitive lyricism."<ref name="CoS-review">{{cite web |last=Madden |first=Michael |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2015/06/album-review-florence-and-the-machine-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful/ |title=Florence and the Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful |work=Consequence of Sound |date=3 June 2015 |access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref> Leonie Cooper of ''[[NME]]'' wrote, "Overflowing with stately songwriting and lyrical craftsmanship, ''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful'' makes for a restrained but joyful return, and a collection that will last long after Welch's broken bones are mended."<ref name="nme-review">{{cite web |last=Cooper |first=Leonie |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/florence-and-the-machine/16081 |title=Florence + The Machine – 'How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful' Review |work=NME |date=19 May 2015 |access-date=1 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521224251/http://www.nme.com/reviews/florence-and-the-machine/16081 |archive-date=21 May 2015}}</ref> Carl Wilson of ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' commented, "No matter the mood and tempo, though, the Florence & The Machine heard on ''How Big How Blue How Beautiful'' is a newly self-aware one. It shows a different kind of mastery by allowing for a different kind of vulnerability, an especially delicate balancing act for a young woman in pop music."<ref name="billbard-review">{{cite magazine |last=Wilson |first=Carl |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6576024/florence-the-machine-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-review |title=Florence & The Machine Displays Different Kind of Vulnerability on 'How Big How Blue How Beautiful': Album Review |magazine=Billboard |date=26 May 2015 |access-date=1 June 2015}}</ref> ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' hailed the band's thematic development, noting a "more righteous indignation" in the album's lyrics.<ref name="q-review">{{cite magazine |title=Florence + the Machine: How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful |magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |issue=348 |date=July 2015 |page=100}}</ref> In a four out of five star review, the [[New York Daily News|New York ''Daily News'']] observed that "[t]he songs have a canny way of avoiding genre cliches" and artistically, Welch "draws more from the new wave of [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]] or the pan-pop breadth of [[Annie Lennox]]'s solo career".<ref>{{cite web |last=Farber |first=Jim |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/stars-florence-machine-new-album-article-1.2232308 |title=Florence and The Machine album review: 'How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful' showcases Florence Welch's voice |work=[[New York Daily News]] |date=29 May 2015 |access-date=2 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605040816/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/stars-florence-machine-new-album-article-1.2232308 |archive-date=5 June 2015}}</ref>
Helen Brown of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' praised the album as "thunderous" and stated that Welch "has turned her turmoil into a powerful record, adding a new spiritual depth and mature awareness to the thrill of the wild emotions she has always been able to pump so fearlessly out of her mighty heart and lungs."<ref name="telegraph">{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Helen |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/11636690/Florence-and-the-Machine-How-Big-How-Blue-How-Beautiful-review-thunderous.html |title=Florence & the Machine, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, review: 'thunderous' |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=30 May 2015 |access-date=1 June 2015}}</ref> [[Douglas Wolk]] of ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' described the album as "a huge, sturdy record, built for arenas [...] and it's richly and carefully enough constructed to endure the extensive exposure Welch's heartache is going to get over the course of this summer."<ref name="pitchfork-review">{{cite web |last=Wolk |first=Douglas |author-link=Douglas Wolk |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20605-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful/ |title=Florence and the Machine: How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful |work=Pitchfork |date=2 June 2015 |access-date=2 June 2015}}</ref> [[Will Hermes]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' opined that "Welch isn't the most rhythmic singer; she's more about powerful held notes and dramatic articulation, and her rock moves have sometimes felt fussy in the past. But here, she punches like a prizefighter."<ref name="rollingstone-review">{{cite magazine |last=Hermes |first=Will |author-link=Will Hermes |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/florence-and-the-machine-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-20150602 |title=How Big How Blue How Beautiful |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2 June 2015 |access-date=2 June 2015}}</ref> James Christopher Monger of [[AllMusic]] expressed that Welch's "Brit-pop soul treacle is still miles better than some of her contemporaries' top-tier offerings, and when the album connects it moves right in and starts to redecorate, but when it falters, it's akin to a chatty party guest failing to realize that everyone else has gone home."<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web |last=Monger |first=James Christopher |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-mw0002825613 |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful – Florence + the Machine |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=12 May 2022}}</ref> In a less enthusiastic review, Andrew Unterberger of ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' dubbed the album "an exceedingly coherent listen, both in terms of consistent production and lyrical themes [...] But it's not a great album, and that's because the production and dynamics are so compressed to soupy church-soul consistency that once you get into the thick of the LP, it's virtually impossible to keep your attention rapt throughout."<ref name="spin">{{cite web |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |url=http://www.spin.com/2015/06/review-florence-machine-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful/ |title=Review: Florence + the Machine Go Big, Then Go Home on 'How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful' |work=Spin |date=4 June 2015 |access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref> [[Alexis Petridis]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' felt that the album is "too overblown and daft for the songs to have the desired emotional impact: it's never really intimate enough for the feelings Welch expresses to connect."<ref name="guardian-review">{{cite web |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/28/florence-and-the-machine-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-review |title=Florence + the Machine: How Big How Blue How Beautiful review – same drama, new hits |work=The Guardian |date=28 May 2015 |access-date=1 June 2015}}</ref>
===Accolades===
''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful'' was shortlisted for the 2015 [[Mercury Prize]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Savage |first=Mark |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-34886413 |title=Mercury music prize: Winner Benjamin Clementine dedicates prize to Paris |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=20 November 2015 |access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref> It also received five nominations at the [[2016 Grammy Awards]], including [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album|Best Pop Vocal Album]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Recording Package|Best Recording Package]] for the album, [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Song|Best Rock Song]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance|Best Rock Performance]] for "What Kind of Man", and [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance|Best Pop Duo/Group Performance]] for "Ship to Wreck".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/grammy-nominations-2016-full-list-846297 |title=Kendrick Lamar Tops Grammy Nominations; Full List |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=7 December 2015 |access-date=7 December 2015}}</ref> ''The Odyssey'' was nominated for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Long Form Video|Breakthrough Long Form Video]] at the [[2016 MTV Video Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/vma/7487873/vmas-2016-winners-list |title=VMAs 2016: See the Full List of Winners |magazine=Billboard |date=28 August 2016 |access-date=6 September 2016}}</ref> The albums was also ranked at number 68 on the list of the 100 Best Albums of the 2010s by [[Rolling Stone]].<ref name="100 Best Albums of the 2010s">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-2010s-ranked-913997/florence-the-machine-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-lp-917488/ |title=100 Best Albums of the 2010s |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=3 December 2019 |access-date=28 April 2021}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Publication
! List
! Rank
|-
!scope="row"| [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]
| 50 Best Albums of 2015<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/50-best-albums-2015/story?id=35846208 |title=50 Best Albums of 2015 |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=22 December 2015 |access-date=23 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 17
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[American Songwriter]]''
| Top 50 Albums of 2015<ref>{{cite web |url=http://americansongwriter.com/2015/11/american-songwriters-top-50-albums-2015-presented-daddario/2/ |title=American Songwriter's Top 50 Albums of 2015: Presented by D'Addario |work=[[American Songwriter]] |date=23 November 2015 |access-date=10 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 32
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''
| 25 Best Albums of 2015<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/6792633/best-albums-of-2015/10 |title=Billboard.com's 25 Best Albums of 2015: Critics' Picks |magazine=Billboard |date=15 December 2015 |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 17
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Consequence of Sound]]''
| Top 50 Albums of 2015<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2015/12/top-50-albums-of-2015/ |title=Top 50 Albums of 2015 |work=Consequence of Sound |date=2 December 2015 |access-date=10 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 41
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| The 40 Best Albums of 2015<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/gallery/best-albums-2015/2403333_15-florence-machine-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful |title=The 40 Best Albums of 2015 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=9 December 2015 |access-date=10 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 15
|-
!scope="row"| [[Gigwise]]
| Albums of the Year<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gigwise.com/features/104657/best-albums-of-2015-55-41-grimes-florence-lana |title=Gigwise's albums of the year... 55 – 41 |website=[[Gigwise]] |date=19 December 2015 |access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 50
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[The Huffington Post]]''
| The Best Albums of 2015<ref>{{cite web |last=Wooten |first=Kristi York |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristi-york-wooten/the-best-albums-of-2015-d_b_8847836.html |title=The Best Albums of 2015: Did Your Favorite Make the List? |work=The Huffington Post |date=20 December 2015 |access-date=23 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 6
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[NME]]''
| Albums of the Year 2015<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/photos/nme-s-albums-of-the-year-2015/394320 |title=NME's Albums Of The Year 2015 |work=NME |date=December 2015 |access-date=10 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 40
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]''
| The 50 Best Albums of 2015<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/12/the-50-best-albums-of-2015.html?p=2 |title=The 50 Best Albums of 2015 |work=Paste |date=1 December 2015 |access-date=10 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 29
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[PopMatters]]''
| The 80 Best Albums of 2015<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.popmatters.com/feature/the-80-best-albums-of-2015/P3/ |title=The 80 Best Albums of 2015 |work=[[PopMatters]] |date=7 December 2015 |access-date=10 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 44
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[People (magazine)|People]]''
| Best Albums of 2015<ref>{{cite web |date=15 December 2015 |title=People Picks the Best Albums of 2015 |url=http://www.people.com/people/package/gallery/0%2C%2C20968563_20973584_30426944%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231075550/http://www.people.com/people/package/gallery/0,,20968563_20973584_30426944,00.html |archive-date=31 December 2015 |access-date=21 April 2024 |work=People}}</ref>
| align="center"| 5
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| Top 50 Albums of 2015<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qthemusic.com/12994/revealed-qs-top-50-albums-of-2015/ |title=Revealed: Q's Top 50 Albums Of 2015 |work=Q |date=24 November 2015 |access-date=10 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 10
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="3"| ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| 50 Best Albums of 2015<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-albums-of-2015-20151201/florence-and-the-machine-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-20151130 |title=50 Best Albums of 2015 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=1 December 2015 |access-date=10 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 22
|-
| 20 Best Pop Albums of 2015<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/20-best-pop-albums-of-2015-20151218/florence-the-machine-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-20151217 |title=20 Best Pop Albums of 2015 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=18 December 2015 |access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 3
|-
| 100 Best Albums of the 2010s<ref name="100 Best Albums of the 2010s"/>
| align="center"| 68
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Time Out London]]''
| The 50 Best Albums of 2015<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timeout.com/london/music/the-best-albums-of-2015#tab_panel_5 |title=The 50 best albums of 2015 |work=[[Time Out London]] |date=17 December 2015 |access-date=23 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 4
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]]''
| Top 100 Albums of 2015<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/lists/under_the_radars_top_100_albums_of_2015/ |title=Under the Radar's Top 100 Albums of 2015 |work=[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]] |date=16 December 2015 |access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref>
| align="center"| 36
|}
==Commercial performance==
''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful'' debuted at number one on the [[UK Albums Chart]] with first-week sales of 68,788 copies, earning the band their third consecutive number-one album.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Alan |url=https://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/official-charts-analysis-florence-the-machine-leads-all-new-top-4-with-sales-of-68-788/062002 |title=Official Charts Analysis: Florence & The Machine leads all new Top 4 with sales of 68,788 |work=[[Music Week]] |date=8 June 2015 |access-date=4 June 2019 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The album slipped to number two for two weeks in a row,<ref>{{cite web |last=Moss |first=Liv |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/muse-score-fifth-uk-chart-topper-with-drones__9838/ |title=Muse score fifth UK chart-topper with Drones |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=14 June 2015 |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Myers |first=Justin |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/muse-are-number-1-album-for-a-second-week__9878/ |title=Muse are Number 1 album for a second week |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=21 June 2015 |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref> before reclaiming the number-one spot in its fourth week on the chart, with 14,419 copies sold.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Alan |url=https://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/official-charts-analysis-florence-the-machine-beats-wolf-alice-to-no-1-by-528-sales/062171 |title=Official Charts Analysis: Florence & The Machine beats Wolf Alice to No.1 by 528 sales |work=Music Week |date=29 June 2015 |access-date=4 June 2019 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In the United States, the album debuted atop the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] with 137,000 [[album-equivalent unit]]s, of which 128,000 were pure album sales. It marked the band's first number-one album on the chart, as well as their largest sales week.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6590835/florence-machine-first-no-1-album-billboard-200 |title=Florence + the Machine Scores First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart |magazine=Billboard |date=10 June 2015 |access-date=10 June 2015}}</ref> As of December 2015, ''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful'' had sold 290,000 copies in the US.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=298967 |title=YTD Top 50 Albums Chart |website=[[Hits (magazine)|Hits Double Daily]] |date=18 December 2015 |access-date=19 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219112711/http://hitsdailydouble.com/news%26id%3D298967 |archive-date=19 December 2015}}</ref> The album debuted at number one on the [[Canadian Albums Chart]], selling 19,000 copies in its first week.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cross |first=Alan |author-link=Alan Cross |url=http://ajournalofmusicalthings.com/weekly-music-sales-report-and-analysis-10-june-2015/ |title=Weekly Music Sales Report and Analysis: 10 June 2015 |website=A Journal of Musical Things |date=10 June 2015 |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref> In Australia, the album debuted at the top of the charts, with sales of 15,706 copies.<ref>{{cite web |last=Adams |first=Cameron |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/how-many-copies-of-an-album-do-you-need-to-sell-to-hit-no-1-on-the-australian-aria-chart-not-many/news-story/6ce0df66d016c27a131018d5626bd66c |title=How many copies of an album do you need to sell to hit No. 1 on the Australian ARIA chart? Not many. |website=[[news.com.au]] |date=11 August 2015}}</ref>
Elsewhere, ''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful'' topped the charts in Ireland, New Zealand, Poland and Switzerland, while reaching the top five in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Spain, and the top 10 in Finland, Greece, Italy and Sweden.<ref name="ultratop"/><ref name="gr"/><ref name="ire"/><ref name="pol"/> As of February 2016, the album had sold one million copies worldwide.<ref name="WW sales"/>
==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = [[Ship to Wreck]]
| writer1 = {{flatlist|
* [[Florence Welch]]
* [[Kid Harpoon|Tom Hull]]
}}
| extra1 = {{flatlist|
* [[Markus Dravs]]
* [[Kid Harpoon]]
}}
| length1 = 3:54
| title2 = [[What Kind of Man (Florence and the Machine song)|What Kind of Man]]
| writer2 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* Hull
* [[John Hill (record producer)|John Hill]]
}}
| extra2 = {{flatlist|
* Dravs
* Hill{{ref|a|[a]}}
}}
| length2 = 3:36
| title3 = How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
| writer3 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* [[Isabella Summers]]
}}
| extra3 = Dravs
| length3 = 5:34
| title4 = [[Queen of Peace (song)|Queen of Peace]]
| writer4 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* Dravs
}}
| extra4 = Dravs
| length4 = 5:07
| title5 = Various Storms & Saints
| writer5 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* Dravs
}}
| extra5 = Dravs
| length5 = 4:09
| title6 = [[Delilah (Florence and the Machine song)|Delilah]]
| writer6 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* Summers
}}
| extra6 = Dravs
| length6 = 4:53
| title7 = Long & Lost
| writer7 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* [[Ester Dean]]
}}
| extra7 = Dravs
| length7 = 3:15
| title8 = Caught
| writer8 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* [[James Ford (musician)|James Ford]]
}}
| extra8 = Dravs
| length8 = 4:24
| title9 = Third Eye
| writer9 = Welch
| extra9 = Dravs
| length9 = 4:20
| title10 = St. Jude
| writer10 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* Ford
}}
| extra10 = Dravs
| length10 = 3:45
| title11 = Mother
| writer11 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* [[Paul Epworth]]
}}
| extra11 = Epworth
| length11 = 5:49
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Limited edition 7-inch vinyl box set bonus track
| title12 = As Far as I Could Get
| writer12 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* Ford
}}
| length12 = 4:05
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Deluxe edition bonus tracks
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title12 = Hiding
| writer12 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* Ford
}}
| extra12 = Ford
| length12 = 3:52
| title13 = Make Up Your Mind
| writer13 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* Hull
}}
| extra13 = {{flatlist|
* [[Charlie Hugall]]
* Kid Harpoon{{ref|a|[a]}}
}}
| length13 = 4:01
| title14 = Which Witch
| note14 = Demo
| writer14 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* Summers
}}
| extra14 = Isabella "Machine" Summers
| length14 = 4:19
| title15 = Third Eye
| note15 = Demo
| writer15 = Welch
| extra15 = Brett Shaw
| length15 = 4:15
| title16 = How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
| note16 = Demo
| writer16 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* Summers
}}
| extra16 = Summers
| length16 = 4:32
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = [[Target Corporation|Target]] exclusive edition additional tracks<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.target.com/p/florence-the-machine-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-target-exclusive/-/A-17433629 |title=Florence + The Machine – How Big How Blue How Beautiful – Target Exclusive |publisher=[[Target Corporation|Target]] |access-date=19 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222122021/http://www.target.com/p/florence-the-machine-how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-target-exclusive/-/A-17433629 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title17 = Pure Feeling
| writer17 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* Ford
}}
| extra17 = Hugall
| length17 = 4:08
| title18 = Conductor
| writer18 = {{flatlist|
* Welch
* [[Dan Wilson (musician)|Dan Wilson]]
}}
| extra18 = Wilson
| length18 = 4:52
}}
===Notes===
* {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a co-producer
==Personnel==
Credits adapted from the liner notes of the deluxe edition of ''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful''.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful |type=deluxe edition liner notes |others=[[Florence and the Machine]] |publisher=[[Island Records]] |year=2015 |id=602547236050}}</ref>
===Florence and the Machine===
{{Div col}}
* [[Florence Welch]] – vocals {{small|(all tracks)}}; backing vocals {{small|(tracks 1–10, 12, 13)}}; [[body percussion]] {{small|(track 9)}}; stamps, claps {{small|(track 14)}}; piano, percussion {{small|(track 15)}}
* Chris Hayden – drums {{small|(tracks 1–3, 6–9, 13)}}; percussion {{small|(tracks 1, 2, 6, 8, 13)}}
* Rob Ackroyd – electric guitar {{small|(tracks 1, 2, 4, 7–9)}}; acoustic guitar {{small|(tracks 3, 13)}}; [[ukulele]] {{small|(track 9)}}
* Mark Saunders – bass {{small|(tracks 2–4, 6–9)}}
* [[Isabella Summers]] – [[Rhodes organ]] {{small|(track 3)}}; programming, drums, synths, bass, keys {{small|(tracks 14, 16)}}; strings, stamps, claps {{small|(track 14)}}; [[Rhodes piano|Rhodes]], percussion {{small|(track 16)}}
* Rusty Bradshaw – piano {{small|(track 4)}}
* Tom Monger – harp {{small|(track 13)}}
{{Div col end}}
===Additional musicians===
{{Div col}}
* [[Kid Harpoon]] – drums, percussion, bass, [[Electric grand piano|CP70]] synth {{small|(track 1)}}; electric guitar {{small|(tracks 1, 13)}}; brass writing, brass arrangements {{small|(track 2)}}; acoustic guitar, piano {{small|(track 13)}}
* [[Leo Abrahams]] – acoustic guitar {{small|(track 1)}}; electric guitar {{small|(tracks 2, 4–6, 9)}}
* James Hallawell – [[Hammond organ]] {{small|(tracks 1, 4)}}; [[Farfisa]], piano, organ {{small|(track 7)}}
* [[Markus Dravs]] – glockenspiel {{small|(track 1)}}; percussion, synths {{small|(track 2)}}; bass synth {{small|(track 5)}}; programming {{small|(tracks 7, 10)}}; body percussion, electric guitar {{small|(track 9)}}; woodwind arrangements {{small|(track 10)}}
* Janelle Martin – backing vocals {{small|(tracks 1–4, 9)}}
* Nim Miller – backing vocals {{small|(tracks 1–4, 9)}}
* [[Miss Baby Sol|Baby N'Sola]] – backing vocals {{small|(tracks 1–4, 9)}}
* [[John Hill (record producer)|John Hill]] – synths, brass writing, brass arrangements {{small|(track 2)}}
* Nigel Black – French horn {{small|(tracks 2–4, 9)}}
* [[Pip Eastop]] – French horn {{small|(tracks 2–4, 9)}}
* Sam Jacobs – French horn {{small|(tracks 2–4, 9)}}
* Elise Campbell – French horn {{small|(tracks 2–4, 9)}}
* John Barclay – trumpet {{small|(tracks 2–4, 9)}}; [[piccolo trumpet]] {{small|(track 3)}}
* Philip Cobb – trumpet {{small|(tracks 2–4, 9)}}; flugel trumpet {{small|(track 3)}}
* Andy Crowley – trumpet {{small|(tracks 2–4, 9)}}
* Tom Rees-Roberts – trumpet {{small|(tracks 2–4, 9)}}
* Andy Wood – [[Euphonium]] {{small|(tracks 2–4, 9)}}; trombone {{small|(track 4)}}
* Ed Tarrant – Euphonium {{small|(tracks 2–4, 9)}}
* [[Richard Edwards (musician)|Richard Edwards]] – [[tenor trombone]] {{small|(tracks 2–4, 9)}}
* Oren Marshall – tuba {{small|(tracks 2–4, 9)}}
* Steve Jones – electric guitar {{small|(tracks 3, 7)}}
* Robin Baynton – Rhodes organ {{small|(track 3)}}; piano {{small|(tracks 3, 6, 9)}}; organ {{small|(track 6)}}
* Pete Prokopiw – harp, [[cimbalom]] {{small|(track 3)}}; programming {{small|(tracks 6, 7, 10)}}
* [[Will Gregory|Will Owen]] – brass arrangements {{small|(track 3)}}; string arrangements {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Ali Helnwein – brass arrangements, string arrangements {{small|(track 3)}}; strings {{small|(track 16)}}
* Sally Herbert – orchestration {{small|(tracks 3–5, 10)}}; conducting {{small|(tracks 3–5)}}; flute arrangements, brass arrangements, string arrangements {{small|(track 4)}}; brass orchestration, brass conducting {{small|(track 9)}}; woodwind arrangements {{small|(track 10)}}
* Ian Humphries – violin {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Ian Belton – violin {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Emlyn Singleton – violin {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Patrick Kiernan – violin {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Julia Singleton – violin {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* John Smart – violin {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* [[Ann Morfee]] – violin {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Natalia Bonner – violin {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Sonia Slany – violin {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Gillon Cameron – violin {{small|(tracks 3–5)}}
* Ciaran McCabe – violin {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Alison Dods – violin {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Fiona Bonds – viola {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Ian Rathbone – viola {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Max Baillie – viola {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Rachel Robson – viola {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Ian Burdge – cello {{small|(tracks 3–5)}}
* Chris Worsey – cello {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Nick Cooper – cello {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Sophie Harris – cello {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Richard Pryce – bass {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Lucy Shaw – bass {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Eliza Marshall – flute, [[alto flute]] {{small|(tracks 3, 4)}}
* Matt Ingram – drums, percussion {{small|(track 4)}}
* Benson – additional keys, programming, flute arrangements, brass arrangements, string arrangements {{small|(track 4)}}; backing vocals {{small|(track 7)}}
* [[Daniel Newell]] – piccolo trumpet, [[Flugelhorn|flugel]], trumpet {{small|(track 4)}}
* Everton Nelson – violin {{small|(track 4)}}
* Rick Koster – violin {{small|(track 4)}}
* Oli Langford – violin {{small|(track 4)}}
* Bruce White – viola {{small|(track 4)}}
* Nick Barr – viola {{small|(track 4)}}
* Iain Berryman – piano, [[harmonium]], acoustic guitar {{small|(track 8)}}; body percussion, cornet {{small|(track 9)}}
* [[James Ford (musician)|James Ford]] – programming {{small|(tracks 10, 12)}}; woodwind arrangements {{small|(track 10)}}; drums, bass, guitar, keys, percussion, piano, synths {{small|(track 12)}}
* Rebecca Wood – oboe, [[cor anglais]] {{small|(track 10)}}
* Pete Harrison – [[bassoon]] {{small|(track 10)}}
* [[Paul Epworth]] – drums, bass, guitar, synths, organ, percussion {{small|(track 11)}}
* Orlando Leopard – piano, bass, harmonium, organ, additional arrangement {{small|(track 13)}}
* [[Charlie Hugall]] – programming, percussion {{small|(track 13)}}
* Wayne Francis – saxophone {{small|(track 14)}}
* Nick Walters – trumpet {{small|(track 14)}}
* Adman Dayes – trombone {{small|(track 14)}}
* Brett Shaw – additional percussion {{small|(track 15)}}
* Alex Beitzke – guitar {{small|(track 16)}}
{{Div col end}}
===Technical===
{{Div col}}
* Markus Dravs – production {{small|(tracks 1–10)}}
* [[Kid Harpoon]] – production {{small|(track 1)}}; co-production {{small|(track 13)}}
* Robin Baynton – engineering {{small|(tracks 1–7, 9, 10)}}; strings recording, brass recording, flute recording {{small|(track 4)}}; woodwind recording {{small|(track 10)}}
* Jonathan Sagis – engineering assistance {{small|(tracks 1–10)}}
* Iain Berryman – engineering assistance {{small|(tracks 1, 3–10)}}; additional engineering {{small|(track 2)}}
* [[Spike Stent|Mark "Spike" Stent]] – mixing {{small|(tracks 1, 2, 9, 12)}}
* Geoff Swan – mixing assistance {{small|(tracks 1, 2, 9, 12)}}
* [[Ted Jensen]] – mastering {{small|(all tracks)}}
* John Hill – co-production {{small|(track 2)}}
* [[Joe Kearns]] – additional engineering {{small|(track 2)}}; engineering {{small|(track 8)}}
* Mat Bartram – brass recording {{small|(tracks 2–4, 9)}}; strings recording {{small|(tracks 3–5)}}; flute recording {{small|(tracks 3, 4)}}; engineering {{small|(track 5)}}
* Ronan Phelan – brass recording assistance {{small|(tracks 2–4, 9)}}; strings recording assistance {{small|(tracks 3–5)}}; flute recording assistance {{small|(tracks 3, 4)}}
* Craig Silvey – mixing {{small|(tracks 3–8, 10, 11)}}
* Eduardo de la Paz – mixing assistance {{small|(tracks 3–8, 10, 11)}}
* Dan Cox – additional engineering {{small|(track 4)}}
* Paul Epworth – production {{small|(track 11)}}
* James Ford – production {{small|(track 12)}}
* Jimmy Robertson – engineering {{small|(track 12)}}
* Charlie Hugall – production, engineering {{small|(track 13)}}; mixing {{small|(tracks 13, 14)}}
* Will Donbavand – mixing assistance {{small|(track 13)}}
* Isabella "Machine" Summers – production {{small|(tracks 14, 16)}}
* Ben Roulston – engineering {{small|(tracks 14, 16)}}
* Alex Beitzke – engineering {{small|(tracks 14, 16)}}
* John Catlin – mixing assistance {{small|(track 14)}}
* Brett Shaw – production, engineering, mixing {{small|(track 15)}}
{{Div col end}}
===Artwork===
* [[Tabitha Denholm]] – creative direction, insert photography
* Brian Roettinger – art direction
* Tom Beard – cover photography, insert photography
* Vincent Haycock – insert photography
==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for ''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful''
! scope="col"| Chart (2015–2016)
! scope="col"| Peak<br/>position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|1|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|rowheader=true|access-date=6 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|Austria|2|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|rowheader=true|access-date=10 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|2|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|rowheader=true|access-date=15 December 2015|refname="ultratop"}}
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|7|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|rowheader=true|access-date=12 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|1|artist=Florence <!-- No + -->the Machine|rowheader=true|access-date=11 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|CroatiaCombined|14|id=1517|rowheader=true|access-date=15 December 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|Czech|13|date=201523|rowheader=true|access-date=15 December 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|Denmark|3|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|rowheader=true|access-date=12 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|3|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|rowheader=true|access-date=6 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|Finland|9|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|M|url=http://finnishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Florence+%2B+The+Machine&titel=How+Big%2C+How+Blue%2C+How+Beautiful&cat=a|title=Finnishcharts.com – Florence + The Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|publisher=Hung Medien|rowheader=true|access-date=6 February 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|France|13|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|rowheader=true|access-date=15 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|3|artist=Florence + the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|id=267188|rowheader=true|access-date=15 December 2015}}
|-
! scope="row"| Greek Albums ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])<ref name="gr">{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.gr/charts_en.html |title=Official IFPI Charts – Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Week: 24/2015) |publisher=[[IFPI Greece]] |access-date=15 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623184341/http://www.ifpi.gr/charts_en.html |archive-date=23 June 2015}}</ref>
| 7
|-
{{album chart|Hungary|11|year=2015|week=23|rowheader=true|access-date=12 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|Ireland|1|year=2015|week=23|rowheader=true|access-date=8 June 2015|refname="ire"}}
|-
{{album chart|Italy|7|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|rowheader=true|access-date=11 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|rowheader=true|access-date=5 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|2|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|rowheader=true|access-date=15 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|Poland|1|id=950|rowheader=true|access-date=12 June 2015|refname="pol"}}
|-
{{album chart|Portugal|5|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|rowheader=true|access-date=12 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|1|date=20150613|rowheader=true|access-date=8 June 2015}}
|-
! scope="row"| South Korean Albums ([[Gaon Album Chart|Gaon]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=24&hitYear=2015&termGbn=week |title=2015년 24주차 Album Chart |language=ko |publisher=[[Gaon Music Chart]] |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><br>{{small|''Deluxe edition''}}
| 47
|-
{{album chart|Spain|4|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|rowheader=true|access-date=8 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|6|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|rowheader=true|access-date=6 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|1|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|rowheader=true|access-date=10 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|1|date=20150613|rowheader=true|access-date=8 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Florence <!-- No + -->the Machine|rowheader=true|access-date=11 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardAlternative|1|artist=Florence <!-- No + -->the Machine|rowheader=true|access-date=11 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardRock|1|artist=Florence <!-- No + -->the Machine|rowheader=true|access-date=11 June 2015}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardTastemaker|1|artist=Florence <!-- No & or 'and' -->the Machine|rowheader=true|access-date=24 May 2022}}
|}
{{col-2}}
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2015 year-end chart performance for ''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful''
! scope="col"| Chart (2015)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2015/albums-chart |title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2015 |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] |access-date=21 June 2022}}</ref>
| 10
|-
! scope="row"| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=a&id=2015 |title=Jahreshitparade Alben 2015 |language=de |website=austriancharts.at |access-date=5 January 2016}}</ref>
| 73
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2015&cat=a |title=Jaaroverzichten 2015 – Albums |language=nl |publisher=Ultratop |access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref>
| 10
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2015&cat=a |title=Rapports annuels 2015 – Albums |language=fr |publisher=Ultratop |access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref>
| 89
|-
! scope="row"| Canadian Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/top-canadian-albums/ |title=Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2015 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=24 December 2015}}</ref>
| 24
|-
! scope="row"| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2015&cat=a |title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2015 |language=nl |publisher=[[Dutch Charts]] |access-date=26 December 2015}}</ref>
| 67
|-
! scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2015 |title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 2015 |language=de |publisher=GfK Entertainment |access-date=9 January 2016}}</ref>
| 72
|-
! scope="row"| Irish Albums (IRMA)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.irma.ie/best-of-20151 |title=Best of 2015 – Albums |publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association |access-date=24 January 2016}}</ref>
| 17
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/2015-12-31 |title=Top Selling Albums of 2015 |publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]] |access-date=19 March 2016}}</ref>
| 15
|-
! scope="row"| Polish Albums (ZPAV)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/aktualnosci.php?idaktualnosci=1312 |title=Lista OLiS – podsumowanie 2015 roku |language=pl |publisher=Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry |date=31 January 2016 |access-date=11 March 2016}}</ref>
| 15
|-
! scope="row"| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2015/alben |title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2015 |website=hitparade.ch |language=de |access-date=21 June 2022}}</ref>
| 57
|-
! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20150104/37502/ |title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2015 |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=21 June 2022}}</ref>
| 19
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/top-billboard-200-albums/ |title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2015 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref>
| 86
|-
! scope="row"| US Top Alternative Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/top-alternative-albums/ |title=Alternative Albums – Year-End 2015 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=21 June 2022}}</ref>
| 9
|-
! scope="row"| US Top Rock Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/top-rock-albums/ |title=Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2015 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref>
| 12
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2016 year-end chart performance for ''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful''
! scope="col"| Chart (2016)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2016/albums-chart |title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2016 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date=21 June 2022}}</ref>
| 97
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2016&cat=a |title=Jaaroverzichten 2016 – Albums |language=nl |publisher=Ultratop |access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref>
| 106
|-
!scope="row"| Polish Albums (ZPAV)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/aktualnosci.php?idaktualnosci=1465 |title=W 2016 roku najlepiej sprzedającym się albumem było "Życie po śmierci" O.S.T.R. |language=pl |publisher=Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry |date=12 January 2017 |access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref>
| 23
|}
{{col-end}}
==Certifications and sales==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for ''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Florence and the Machine|title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2015|certyear=2016|access-date=14 April 2016}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|artist=Florence + the Machine|title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2015|date=14 April 2016|access-date=14 April 2016}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=album|artist=Florence + The Machine|title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|award=Gold|note=Deluxe|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|access-date=28 August 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Florence & The Machine|title=How Big How Blue How Beautiful|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2015|certyear=2019|access-date=29 April 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Florence and the Machine|title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2015|id=2015-12-04|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|date=7 December 2015}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Florence & the Machine|title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful|award=Platinum|number=3|type=album|relyear=2015|certyear=2015|certmonth=9|date=16 September 2015|access-date=15 June 2016}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Florence & the Machine|title=How Big How Blue How Beautiful|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2015|certyear=2016|id=13290-891-2|date=5 February 2016|access-date=21 June 2022|salesamount=359,588|salesref=<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/high-hopes-how-florence-has-embraced-the-streaming-machine-for-her-new-album/072778 |title=High hopes: How Florence has embraced the streaming Machine for her new album |work=Music Week |date=11 June 2018 |access-date=17 June 2018 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Florence & the Machine|title=How Big How Blue How Beautiful|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2015|certyear=2018|access-date=26 June 2018}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=1,000,000|salesref=<ref name="WW sales">{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/photos/which-uk-artists-sold-the-most-albums-worldwide-in-2015/398913 |title=Which UK Artists Sold The Most Albums Worldwide In 2015? |work=NME |date=8 February 2016 |access-date=1 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303104342/http://www.nme.com/photos/which-uk-artists-sold-the-most-albums-worldwide-in-2015/398913 |archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
==Release history==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for ''How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful''
! scope="col"| Region
! scope="col"| Date
! scope="col"| Format
! scope="col"| Edition
! scope="col"| Label
! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}}
|-
! scope="row"| Australia
| rowspan="5"| 29 May 2015
| rowspan="2"| {{flatlist|
* [[Compact disc|CD]]
* [[Music download|digital download]]
}}
| rowspan="2"| {{flatlist|
* Standard
* deluxe
}}
| rowspan="3"| [[Universal Music Group|Universal]]
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/browse/alternative/how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful/685329/ |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful |publisher=[[JB Hi-Fi]] |access-date=16 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/browse/alternative/how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-deluxe-edition/685681/ |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (Deluxe Edition) |publisher=JB Hi-Fi |access-date=16 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216030056/https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/browse/alternative/how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-deluxe-edition/685681/ |archive-date=16 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| Germany
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.universal-music.de/florence-and-the-machine/diskografie/detail/product:245850/how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful |title=Florence + The Machine {{!}} How Big How Blue How Beautiful (Standard Version) |language=de |publisher=[[Universal Music Group|Universal Music Germany]] |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.universal-music.de/florence-and-the-machine/diskografie/detail/product:245849/how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful |title=Florence + The Machine {{!}} How Big How Blue How Beautiful (Deluxe Version) |language=de |publisher=Universal Music Germany |access-date=18 February 2015 |archive-date=30 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430061746/http://www.universal-music.de/florence-and-the-machine/diskografie/detail/product:245849/how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00TLO74M8 |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful: Florence + The Machine: MP3-Downloads |website=Amazon |language=de |location=Germany |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00TLO9U84 |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (Deluxe): Florence + The Machine: MP3-Downloads |website=Amazon |language=de |location=Germany |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[LP record|LP]]
| Standard
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.universal-music.de/florence-and-the-machine/diskografie/detail/product:245866/how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful |title=Florence + The Machine {{!}} How Big How Blue How Beautiful (Vinyl) |language=de |publisher=Universal Music Germany |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| Ireland
| {{flatlist|
* CD
* digital download
}}
| {{flatlist|
* Standard
* deluxe
}}
| rowspan="2"| [[Island Records|Island]]
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hmv.ie/How-Big-How-Blue-How-Beautiful-Florence-and-/movies-games-entertainment/pd/117272 |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful – Florence and... (CD) |publisher=[[HMV Ireland]] |access-date=15 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216034922/http://www.hmv.ie/How-Big-How-Blue-How-Beautiful-Florence-and-/movies-games-entertainment/pd/117272 |archive-date=16 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hmv.ie/How-Big-How-Blue-How-Beautiful-Florence-and-/movies-games-entertainment/pd/117273 |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful – Florence and... (CD) (Deluxe Edition) |publisher=HMV Ireland |access-date=15 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216034906/http://www.hmv.ie/How-Big-How-Blue-How-Beautiful-Florence-and-/movies-games-entertainment/pd/117273 |archive-date=16 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
| LP
| Standard
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hmv.ie/How-Big-How-Blue-How-Beautiful-Florence-and-/movies-games-entertainment/pd/117274 |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful – Florence and... (Vinyl) |publisher=HMV Ireland |access-date=15 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216034839/http://www.hmv.ie/How-Big-How-Blue-How-Beautiful-Florence-and-/movies-games-entertainment/pd/117274 |archive-date=16 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| France
| rowspan="5"| 1 June 2015
| {{flatlist|
* CD
* digital download
}}
| {{flatlist|
* Standard
* deluxe
}}
| rowspan="2"| Universal
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://musique.fnac.com/a8114679/Florence-and-The-Machine-How-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-CD-album |title=How big how blue how beautiful – Florence and The Machine – CD album |language=fr |publisher=[[Fnac]] |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://musique.fnac.com/a8114680/Florence-and-The-Machine-How-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-Edition-Deluxe-5-titres-bonus-CD-album |title=How big how blue how beautiful – Edition Deluxe + 5 titres bonus – Florence and The Machine – CD album |language=fr |publisher=Fnac |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B00YONX6WI |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful: Florence + The Machine: Téléchargements MP3 |website=Amazon |language=fr |location=France |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B00TJZW9CE |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (Deluxe): Florence + The Machine: Téléchargements MP3 |website=Amazon |language=fr |location=France |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
| LP
| Standard
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://musique.fnac.com/a8114681/Florence-and-The-Machine-How-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-2-LP-Vinyl-album |title=How big how blue how beautiful 2 LP – Florence and The Machine – Vinyl album |language=fr |publisher=Fnac |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3"| United Kingdom
| {{flatlist|
* CD
* digital download
}}
| {{flatlist|
* Standard
* deluxe
}}
| rowspan="3"| Island
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00THEH1IE |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful |website=Amazon |location=United Kingdom |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00THEH4UY |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (Deluxe Edition) |website=Amazon |location=United Kingdom |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TISCQ2K |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful: Florence + The Machine: MP3 Downloads |website=Amazon |location=United Kingdom |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TISDL4M |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (Deluxe): Florence + The Machine: MP3 Downloads |website=Amazon |location=United Kingdom |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
| LP
| Standard
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00THEH3X2 |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful [VINYL] |website=Amazon |location=United Kingdom |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Gramophone record|7-inch vinyl]] box set
| Limited
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00UYZ8KSU |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, 7 Inch [VINYL] (Box set) |website=Amazon |location=United Kingdom |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| United States
| rowspan="2"| 2 June 2015
| {{flatlist|
* CD
* digital download
}}
| {{flatlist|
* Standard
* deluxe
}}
| rowspan="2"| [[Republic Records|Republic]]
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amoeba.com/how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-cd-florence-the-machine/albums/3668159/ |title=Florence + The Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (CD) |publisher=[[Amoeba Music]] |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00THEH4UY |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful [Deluxe Edition] |website=Amazon |location=United States |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TKTJEGS |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful: Florence + The Machine: MP3 Downloads |website=Amazon |location=United States |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| LP
| rowspan="2"| Standard
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00THEH3X2 |title=How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful [2 LP] |website=Amazon |location=United States |access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Australia
| 19 June 2015
| Universal
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/Whats-Hot/alternative/how-big-how-blue-how-beautiful-vinyl/685333/ |title=How Big How Blue How Beautiful (Vinyl) |publisher=JB Hi-Fi |access-date=16 December 2015}}</ref>
|}
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Florence and the Machine}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:2015 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Markus Dravs]]
[[Category:Florence and the Machine albums]]
[[Category:Visual albums]]
[[Category:Island Records albums]]
[[Category:Republic Records albums]]