Review Summary: Ellie Goulding’s debut album ‘Lights’ is an open, honest and sincere start to what looks to be a promising career.
The hype surrounding Ellie Goulding is something which we see so often surrounding forthcoming artists. The wonders of word of mouth build up to an eventual climax whereby their debut album is either a complete flop or a ground-breaking success. I am pleased to say that the debut album from Goulding (Lights) falls very much into the latter category.
Signed by Polydor barely 6 months ago, she has already produced a track with Frankmusik, penned songs for the likes of Diana Vickers and Gabriella Cilmi, supported Little Boots on her 2009 UK Tour and released her first single ‘Under The Sheets’ through independent label ‘Neon Gold Records’ – it’s a wonder she’s not burnt out already.
Having worked with British producer Starsmith for over a year, Goulding has built up quite a fan base; releasing songs through her MySpace page and being continually idolised and adored through blogs such as ‘Discodust’ and ‘PopJustice’. At merely 23, she has been repeatedly likened to well-known musicians and songstresses, Bjork and Kate Bush to name but a few, and the comparisons just keep coming.
Finally her album is here - an eclectic mix of the almost futuristic melodies of Starsmith combined with Goulding’s folky undertones; the new ‘Sound of 2010’ really lives up to her new title. Back in January, the Hereford born star was chosen by 165 critics, journalists and general know-it-alls in the music business, to be most likely to make it big in the coming year.
The album itself expertly demonstrates Goulding’s musical capabilites, from its big synth-pop numbers like ‘Starry Eyed’ and ‘This Love’ to the more stripped back, folk-oriented sounds of ‘I’ll Hold My Breath’ and ‘Guns and Horses’. Nonetheless, the long awaited record has been dubbed one of the hottest to hit the shelves this year.
Goulding herself has defined her debut album as one about love and heartbreak, common themes in most modern songs, but one’s which many can relate to and identify with. She also spoke recently in an interview with Glamour Magazine about her songs relating to how she misses the countryside, having grown up in Powys on the border of Wales.
Ellie Goulding’s debut album ‘Lights’ is an open, honest and sincere start to what looks to be a promising career.
