Ellie Goulding took the US by storm with “Lights”, and now with her second album Halcyon she’s about to take the airwaves again. Electronic music that actually has someone that can sing that goes beyond the party-themed that overpopulates the radio stations; this is what Ellie Goulding is and ultimately why Halcyon might even be ahead of its time. Break-up album or not, Halcyon does feel more mature in the way that Ellie doesn’t sound in a happy pop environment like she did in “Lights” or “Starry Eyed“, instead Halcyon sounds darker, sexy, her voice being more raspy, yearning with emotion, more substance, using less of the catchy formula everybody uses to get on top of the charts.

It actually took me a few listens to get into Halcyon, to let it’s more somber tone get to me, and while some might believe that the album should have been a more upbeat party album, this is where I strongly believe that it is ahead of our time, because not many of us are used to EDM infused with great lyrics and someone who can actually sing them. Beyond the singing, it goes back to when an album has songs that people can actually relate to, and beyond the beats that once made “Lights” so popular, Halcyon focuses more on the vocals, Goulding’s voice is another instrument. The themes of the album go from love, heartbreak, hope, a deserting father that ultimately Goulding forgives in “I Know You Care“, to the more upbeat “Only You” and dubstep-esque “Figure 8“, she manages to go beyond just making a catchy hook.

Favorite songs: “JOY“, “I Know You Care“, “My Blood”

Overall, Ellie Goulding’s voice is captivating, and this is what makes Halcyon so great: that beyond the beats, the lyrical weight and the vocals are actually important in an EDM song. This album goes beyond making top charting music, this is why it’s ahead of it’s time: it’s an electronic record that is defined by the emotion behind every song. A more mature effort on Goulding’s behalf, and if it isn’t already, the beginning of something great.

Rating: 9/10 

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