Ellie Goulding

After winning the BBC Sound of 2010 accolade, and getting the Brits Critics Choice award Ellie Goulding had (perhaps unfairly) a lot to live up to. Debut album 'Lights’ is a strong album, but unfortunately the praise that goes before her suggests there is more to Ellie Goulding than is here.

Lead single 'Starry Eyes’ is one of the stronger tracks on here, and previous single 'Under the Sheets’ deserves similar praise for its rich sound even if production by Starsmith is almost (but not quite) too much. Whilst there are plenty of pop-electronica sounds on here, tracks like 'The Writer’ show a different side to her sound with reduced production, a great melody and real exposure to Goulding’s gorgeous vocals. 'I’ll Hold My Breath’ is another equally mellowed track that removes much of the production to create a alternate sound from 'Starry Eyes’. Closing number 'Salt Skin’ is an interesting direction, with plenty of synths a drum machine and bleeps thrown is as Ellie’s vocals rise to compete with the synths perfectly. A 60’s style chorus in the background adds the depth to this wonderful number.

It’s not an immediate album, and does require some listens, but persevere and you’ll be rewarded with some great pop tunes, with elements of many greats like Bjork, Kate Bush and even a bit of Pixie Lott thrown in.