Halcyon is Ellie Goulding's sophomore album. It was released early this month with the lead single Anything Can Happen.
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Anyway, in this blog post, I am going to go through each song (of the deluxe edition) and give you exactly what I think about each song in depth.
1. Don't Say a Word
- This song sets up the entire album. Ellie beings with her humming, which immediately gives the song an almost Gothic, eery beginning; however, the song quickly transitions into a powerful, upbeat song with strong lyrics and a killer beat. Overall, the song is more than catchy and thrusts the listener directly into the atmosphere of the entire album.
"I've chosen you, but don't say a word."
2. My Blood
- My Blood also begins with Ellie's hums and ooh's, which seems to be a beautiful trend in this album. I have to admit that this is one of my favorite songs on the album. While it's catchy, it also manages to show off Ellie's impressive vocal ability. Once again, the beat is impressive, and the lyrics are wonderfully deep. I predict that this song will be one of the singles.
"My blood is all I see as you steal my soul from me."
3. Anything Can Happen
- As mentioned in the video above, this song didn't quite resonate with me at first, and as the lead single off the album, I was a little disappointing. While the song is catchy, the lyrics don't really match the meaning of the song. It's almost a little too happy. Did I mention that she literally repeats Anything Can Happen like 45 times in the song. Ok, not actually that many, but you get the picture I'm painting.
The song did grow on me though, and after viewing the music video, I fell in love with the song. It's just not one of my favorites.
"Anything can happen x45"
4. Only You
- This song is probably my all time favorite off the album. Everything about it screams "make me a single!" It's incredibly catchy. The beat is awesome and begs to be danced to. I definitely feel a little Skrillix influence in this song a bit more than others, especially in the chorus. Overall, it's a fantastic song that I find myself listening to on repeat for far too long.
"You hold me when storms arrive, only you."
5. Halcyon
- Halcyon truly sounds like a throwback to her first album, Lights. It has that same acoustic feel plus a sudden killer beat just like in the songs The Writer and Lights. This song is another one of my absolute favorite songs because, in my case, it almost acts as one of the IT GETS BETTER anthems we have right now. (Right along with Ke$ha -We Are Who We Are)
"When it's just us, you show me what it's like to be lonely."
6. Figure 8
-This song also has a similar feel to her first album but less than Halcyon. It is a power anthem with a pounding beat that mixes with Ellie's voice in perfect proportions. Figure 8 has a dub-step feel to that I very much enjoy.This is another song that begs to be danced to. I can just imagine the club remixes now.
"You promised forever and a day, then you take it all away."
7. Joy Properties
- Sadly, Joy Properties is the only song on the album that I just do not enjoy. It's piano intro and general softness sticks out like a sore thumb against the album as a whole. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful song, but when listening to the album as a whole, it's almost jarring to hear it. It's sickeningly sweet.
If this song would have been on her first album, I could see it being a single; however, on this album, I just don't like it; however, the break down is very catchy. That's a positive note.
"I think it's time to run cause I'm seein' stars; I'm seein' stars, watch me fall apart."
8. Hanging On (Edit Version)
- Is a cover of the Active Child original. Having not heard the original, I'm not going to get into the whole "this song is better than that song" debate. With that said, I adore this song. Ellie's vocal range is wonderfully showcased with a sick beat. Despite the beat, the song has a sad, longing feel to it that I absolutely love.
"I just can't keep hanging on to you and me."
9. Explosions
- Explosions wa released as a promitional single for the album. This is another song that blends Ellie's acoustic sounds with the new dance, electronic feel of the new album. This is a more acoustic song much like Joy properties; however, as mentioned, it blends into the album and adds to it instead of sticking out. It's a beautiful song with a beautiful message.
"You tremble like you've seen a ghost, and I gave in. I lack the things you need the most; you said, "where have you been?"
10. I Know You Care
- The tenth song on the album also begins with Ellie's ghostly chants and heavenly piano. Like Explosions, it meshes with the album and flows nicely from Explosions. While it's not one of my favorite songs on the album, I do enjoy it, and find myself picturing rain drops on a window. It's a wonderfully atmospheric song. By the middle of the song, when she really breaks loose, you honestly feel for Ellie; you feel exactly what she felt, and that is a wonderful connection. This is probably the most emotional song on the album.
"Why can't I dream?"
11. Atlantis
- This song is another one with a wonderful atmosphere attached to it. When I close my eyes, I feel like I can really detach away from the world around me. It has a nice beat and flows nicely with Ellie's chants. I can just picture Ellie sitting in a forest area singing her hart out.
"You make my heart so helpless."
12. Dead in the Water
- The last four songs, including this one, have an entirely different feel from the album. They are haunting and a bit slower, and Dead in the Water fits perfectly. It is a beautiful song with haunting lyrics and echos. I honestly can't get enough of this song. Halfway through, when the violins start, I find myself totally enchanted with everything about this song. There isn't a single thing I would change about it.
"I'm there in the water, still looking for ya. I'm there in the water, can't you see?"
13. I Need Your Love
- This song breaks away from the haunted feel of the last songs and jumps back into the dance, electronic feel while still carrying with the piano trend along with throwing in a SICK beat and a claps. This is another song I can easily see as a club anthem. It's a beautifully constructed song, and that beat is just perfect, orgasmic.
"I take a deep breath each time I walk past your door."
14. Lights
- There isn't really much to say about Lights. It's been on the radio nonstop and pretty much everyone agrees with the fact that it is a banging song that we all enjoy!
15. Hanging On (feat. Tinie Tempah)
- As mentioned above, this is a cover song, but this version adds in Tinie Tempah. Pause. An Ellie Goulding song with a rap break down? Yeah, we all pretty much agree that the rap addition was totally unneeded and unwanted. The song is 100x better without it.
16. Ritual
- THIS song is another of my ALL time favorites on the album, and it's only available on the deluxe edition. Just like most the songs on this album, Ellie sets the song up with her haunting chants and sick beats. She casually throws in her awesome lyrics, thus making a perfect song to dance to. Seriously, it's perfect.
"It's far to late to be rescued."
17. In My City
- In My City is another beautifully crafted song. It is a song that can be danced to and sang along with. It's easy to catch yourself belting along with Ellie's powerful vocals. This song makes me want to go to Ellie's city and just run around with her. It has that dance feel to it but also messes a bit of her old acoustic feel. It's a lovely song!
"But you gave me wings, and I used them. I used them on my youth."
18. Without Your Love
- This is another power anthem song with an almost tribal beat to it. While not one of my ALL TIME favorites on the album, it is still a very strong song. I enjoy it quite a bit; though it has the same repetition that Anything Can Happen possesses.
"I think I've been waiting for this all my life."
19. Anything Can Happen (Blood Diamonds Remix)
- As remixes go, I'm usually not very fond of them. This one strips away everything I grew to like about the original song. It gives the song an almost childish feel that just doesn't stick well with me. I actually skip this song altogether, but don't feel bad about it because it IS a remix. xD It also has some weird backing vocals that just sound funny.
Final Thoughts on the Album:
Overall, this album is wonderful. It captivates me from beginning to end, (save for the remix) and has me dancing around my house. I can listen to the whole album over and over without getting tired of it. I predict that Ellie will be all over the radio in the next few months!
Don't forget to buy her album in the link above! Also, leave me a comment down below telling me what you think about her album and my review (:
Love you all,
Mason xoxo
