Ellie Goulding - Lights
-----------------------------------------------------------
She's the latest in a string of 'ones to watch', so they say. Still a nobody, she's already won a Brit Award and BBC's Sound of 2010 shortlist. But is the proof in the pudding? Immediate impressions indicate that Goulding's another in a very long string of modern songstresses with a strong foot in the electronic door. Whether or not she'll then survive the tricky challenge of sticking out in a crowd all falls upon her debut album.
-----------------------------------------------------------
1.
Guns And Horses - From the get-go, the sound is a mixture of acoustic guitars and light drum beats. Small chimes and synths help to reaffirm this minimalist sound, and Goulding's vocals are given centre stage - sounding somewhere inbetween Diana Vickers and Cerys Matthews. This track is pretty but lacks substance.
5.0/10 -
Sounds like: I've already forgotten.
2.
Starry-Eyed - I'm unsure as to whether this is her first or second single, but I digress. A much more catchy and radio-friendly affair, live performances of this that I've seen (notably on the Alan Carr show) indicate it's just as good live - it's a cute and twinkly take on disco.
7.5/10 -
Sounds like: Little Boots not failing.
3.
This Love (Will Be Your Downfall) - For some reason upon first lesson I found myself trying to translate its lyrics into German. The lyrics are more bountiful this time but aren't exactly revolutionary - but the drawn-out chorus and steady rhythm make this one of the better tracks.
6.0/10 -
Sounds like: Skins' writers needed a new song in their credits.
4.
Under The Sheets - Totally at odds with the rest of the album, Under the Sheets is sexy, brash and confrontational. Strange lyricism and heavy electronics give this an alluring atmosphere and added to its effortless catchiness it's undeniably her best.
8.5/10 -
Sounds like: A girl losing her virginity...but not to a drunk man with erectile disfunction.
5.
The Writer - Pretty pianos and dream-like synths provide a pleasant backdrop for Goulding's first ballad of the album. Cute metaphors and the best vocal performance so far make this stick out.
7.5/10 -
Sounds like: Natasha Beddingfield's 'Unwritten' without the irritability and with added balls.
6.
Every Time You Go - A steady rhythm allows for perhaps one of the simplest songs - but the fact of the matter is there's little to write about. The lyrics sound forced, and the tune is nice but not something you'll be whistling an hour later.
5.5/10
7.
Wish I Stayed - The only track solely written by Goulding, it's difficult at times to hear what she's singing. It sounds interesting, but could do with a bit of reduction as she's being drowned out by ill-placed synths.
6.0/10
8.
Your Biggest Mistake - Demonstrating one of her talents - guitar - Your Biggest Mistake is a completely different sound from the rest of the album. It has a mellow-Alphabeat vibe to it, that is to say effortless catchiness but without the risk of diabetes.
6.5/10
9.
I'll Hold My Breath - Following on from where YBM succeeds - a laidback and less electronic sound makes this a welcome release. Cute lyricry and vocals should make this stand out - but it's a fairly forgettable track.
6.0/10
10.
Salt Skin - Distinctly more 'La Roux' sounding in its approach, Salt Skin is an interesting closer. Sultry vocals lament an experience of the senses and, in an almost emotion-by-numbers way, it's a fairly hypnotic affair.
6.5/10
-----------------------------------------------------------
So what to make of the latest prodigy? It's fair to say that she succeeds where Little Boots failed - in consistency. A steady process of strong and assured electronic-pop make this perfectly manufactured for the current scene, but it's a scene that's increasingly wearing thin now. There're no signs of radical or experimental attempts, and whilst that would be a risk for any debutant, the greater risk now is of her fading into the giant waterwork print that is modern music.
Rating: 65/100 =
6.5