Florence Welch tells today's Observer that her new album is "more joyous" than her first one. 

Welch's debut album, 'Lungs' was based on a break-up with a boyfriend whom she got together with around 2005:

"We knew each other through friends." His name was Stuart and he worked in a bookshop." Welch fell in love. 

The relationship came to an end by the summer of 2008, and so she went to record her first studio album in a friend's small London recording studio with a heavy heart.

The couple got back to together shortly after the commercial release of 'Lungs'. Her boyfriend is now the literary editor at Dazed & Confused, and Florence, a successful, award-winning recording artist.

As a result her second album, 'Ceremonials' is much more uplifting, Welch says:

"It does feel more joyous, but I wouldn't say happily-ever-after. It's not completely a case of 'Everything's fine, now!' because everything's still… Even if you're in a relationship things are complicated. There's probably lots of things to deal with."

Welch also talks about how her drinking almost spiralled out of control. 

Fortunately, the recent month-long tour in support of U2 passed without alcohol, Welch says:

"I used to think it was all part of the performance to go out there, go on tour, and get as drunk as possible. Like, oblivion. Oblivion. Living almost out of control. And I think, now, I feel a bigger sense of responsibility to the fans. To the people who come to see me play."

'Ceremonials' is out tomorrow (October 31) and Florence and the Machine is scheduled to perform on next weekend's X Factor (November 6).

Watch the official video for 'Shake it Out' the first single to be released from her new album, and her perform the song on The Late Late Show below: