Ellie Goulding has managed to raise her head above the many electro-pop acts out there in musicland. Fans probably have her last album, Halcyon, already, but it's back, bigger and badder (meaning better) as the repackaged Halcyon Days.
Goulding's strength is her voice, rich with emotion, tinged with vulnerability, but which also recalls Kate Bush at times. The music is indie pop, with electronic touches including some lush instrumentation, meaning at times it comes across as a more ethereal Florence. Catchy new track Burn is one of several good reasons to pick this up, another being ballad Hearts Without Chains. There are also collaborations with Madeon and DJ Fresh. Highlights of the original album include Anything Could Happen, Figure 8 and Lights.
Ellie Goulding
Halcyon Days
Rating: 4 / 5
