Ellie Goulding - Halcyon
Let's pretend the Elton John cover never happened. 2010's Lights was received with all the excitement and furore of a plate of asparagus. Yet, despite all of the backlash against what was that year's BRIT Critic's Choice recipient, Goulding's debut was quite convincing in showing us her abilities. She'd issued her obligatory synth-pop tracks and singles in the form of Under the Sheets and Starry Eyed to varying success, and the album also featured maturer, sweeter pieces in the way of The Writer and Guns and Horses . It wasn't a phenomenal breakthrough, but it had enough charm for me to care even an ounce about a follow-up (but that's not really a compliment from someone still willing to review Alphabeat). This time around? It's a bit more tribal and anthemic; a bit more piano and vocal than anything. The last album was very electronic, but it was tied in with my voice; this one, to me, is way more of a pop record. YAY. But wh...