Ellie Goulding - Halcyon Days

I'm going to lead off by telling you this is a rave review of an international pop-star's album. So, now you know what you're getting yourselves into.

This album combines elements from Goulding's second studio album, Halcyon, and adds tracks that are specially mastered for iTunes. I assume it is to help promote her current tour, also titled Halcyon Days. I'm sure the North American stint of the tour won't be as well received as the European, but it will certainly be a great show. Since I initially listened to this album I have binged on anything "Ellie Goulding". I've listened to just about everything I could and I've watched a lot of music videos and live performances. Now, stop judging me, ya jerks.

I wasn't sure how I felt about the album at first. I recognized a lot of things that are typical with pop albums; catchy beats, builds, repeating hook. Those aren't the things that caught my attention. The thing I liked right away was the way she enunciates. Yes, there is a unique quality to her voice, but it's muddied by the way the lyrics are shaped in her mouth. The lyrics themselves are an accomplishment in pop music. I don't know what I was expecting, but in some ways they come across as intelligent. I guess I'm just used to our dumbed down American versions of music genres. (It's just an opinion, folks. I like Justin Timberlake as much as the next guy.)

There are some true anthems on this track list. Songs like, "Anything Could Happen", and "Explosions", are probably going to get stuck in your head, and the hit singles "Burn", and "Lights", will make you hit replay. "Dead In The Water" is probably my favorite song on the album. It's softer, but powerful, and it sounds like it belongs on a movie soundtrack about some dystopian world. I was going to include a couple of songs that I didn't really care for, but the more I listened through the tracks, the more I liked them.

The best thing about stumbling across this album is that I get to walk away with a new appreciation for an artist I know very little about. That's possibly my favorite thing about any kind of music. Discovery. Finding something new and sweet to your ears. As individuals we are all tuned differently, so what works for me may not be your kind of nectar.

There is a really interesting cover of Alt-J's, "Tessellate" on the album as a bonus track; which is the track that brought my attention to Goulding. I absolutely love An Awesome Wave by Alt-J from start to finish. I couldn't believe she did a cover of "Tessellate". And to my surprise it's stupid-good. It has an ethereal feel with a haunting melody. (Even more-so than the original.) In fact, I liked the cover so much I gifted it to my sister. I'm just trying to spread the word that Ellie Goulding is not what you would expect, and you should all check her out.

Next time I'm going to eat something I've never had!!! ...hopefully not anything weird.






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