Florence and the Machine release new music

Florence and the Machine has released a special collaboration recorded for the upcoming video game FINAL FANTASY® XV from Square Enix.

The three tracks, from Florence and the Machine “Too Much Is Never Enough,” “I Will Be” and “Stand By Me,” were recorded in Air Studios in London with producer and composer Emile Haynie (Kanye West, Lana Del Rey). “Too Much…” is a cinematic epic, featuring sweeping strings and Florence’s rich, emotive vocals. “I Will Be” is an evocative ballad, while her take on “Stand By Me” gives the Ben E. King classic a beautiful, melancholy edge.

“I was listening to Classic FM and there was a whole two hour program about classical music in video games. It was so inspiring and a whole scope of music that I didn’t know about,” Florence says of her decision to get involved in the project. It was really fascinating, the music was incredibly beautiful and emotional and I took it as a sort of sign, to see what I can do in this medium.”

“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. 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.”

The appreciation was very much mutual as game director Hajime Tabata explains. “We are incredibly excited to have collaborated with Florence on both the cover of ‘Stand By Me’ and on the two original tracks inspired by the world and story of FINAL FANTASY XV. Music has always been a hugely important and much beloved part of the FINAL FANTASY series, and with these three tracks we really wanted to create a musical experience to live within the game, and that will transport listeners, whether new to the series or not, into the epic FINAL FANTASY XV Universe.”

The latest installment in the classic series, FINAL FANTASY XV is set in a world where fantasy meets reality. Players will embark on an adventure like no other. Join Crown Prince Noctis and his comrades on an epic journey of brotherhood, love and despair as they unravel Noctis’s destiny and take up arms against the warmongering empire, Niflheim. With a captivating cast of characters, breath-taking visuals, open world exploration and thrilling action-packed real time combat.