Album review: Halycon, Ellie Goulding

Anyone in need of a pick-me-up could do a lot worse than to check out Ellie Goulding's new album.

Halcyon is the follow-up to her 2010 debut Lights, which featured hits like Starry-Eyed, Guns and Horses and Under the Sheets.

And the magic continues.

Goulding's celestial electronica is incredibly catchy, with tribal beats a la Florence contrasting with the soaring vocal harmonies.

Two songs in particular are reason enough to listen: lead single Anything Could Happen (not to be confused with the Clean classic) is a bouncy slice of pop heaven, while Lights, a 2011 single only included on some versions of the first album, and which was heavily used in promotion for the London Olympics, gives a glimpse into something a little darker.

Halcyon days were said to be the seven days in winter when storms never occur. Plug in the headphones and enjoy this respite from the world outside.

Ellie Goulding

Halcyon

(Universal)

Rating: 4 / 5 stars