Twenty-five year old Ellie Goulding has experienced much success in her young career. Her hit song “Lights”, taken from her 2010 album of the same name, propelled her into the music spotlight, reaching the number two slot in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and gaining the very top spot on the Mainstream Top 40. Goulding has even played for President Obama and performed at the Royal Wedding last April, in addition to performing at several festivals and on numerous stages across the world.
The young Goulding, who has already had control on radio airwaves across multiple countries and has felt accomplishment on several shores, now looks to a make an even larger impact with the release of her second album, Halcyon.
Her first studio album, Lights, was a popular mixture of pop and folk songs such as “Starry Eyed,” “Animal,” and “Salt Skin.” The album was also mixed with softer, more delicate songs such as “The Writer,” and her well renowned cover of Elton John’s hit, “Your Song.” The album is for anyone who is a fan of such genre and worth the buy.
With the release of Halcyon, Ellie Goulding headed in a slightly different direction. This new album features a few new music avenues into which Goulding has trekked, going from a more traditional pop mixed with folk to a more techno-electric sound. This album features many new, exciting, and more confident sounds. Goulding was quoted as saying she pursued coaching for her voice. The coaching reveals very distinct moments where discerning listeners can tell her voice is improved, yet, at it’s very core, remains the same great Goulding sound. Overall, her voice seems more mature and appears to have gone through some changes that only accentuate her voice and style.
“I’m hoping it will make people go out and propose to their girlfriend and do that holiday they never ended up doing,” she said. “I hope it will provoke positivity as opposed to making people really sad.” Halcyon achieves that, evoking emotions of both hope and promise. However, there is an ambiance of heartbreak and pain, as exemplified in songs like “I Know You Care” and “Explosions.” Elements of Dubstep, as shown in songs like “Figure 8,” and “Hanging On” are much more prominent. The album is force of emotion with accompanying lyrics. The album includes many songs that make listeners want to jump and dance, while at the same time it includes songs that evoke more tender emotions.
The album is good, yet not perfect, as the lyrics are sometimes predictable and unimpressive. Goulding relies much more heavily on inorganic sounds and mixes than she did in Lights. Fewer acoustic patterns and strings are used, something that really built Lights to what is was. By no means is Halcyon perfect, but it is only Goulding’s second album, she has much time to improve and stretch her musical wings as an artist.
Halcyon satisfies a long wait for Goulding’s die-hard fans, and is gives them something to keep listening to until her next album. Fans of electric pop mixed with traditional folk will definitely enjoy some element of this fun, emotional, and passionate collection of songs and be excited and hopeful for what Ellie Goulding makes in the future. Halcyon impresses and paves an inspiring road for the young artist.
