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8.2
47322
8.2 |
Paste Magazine
Halcyon is more than Ellie Goulding’s next album: it’s a step away from the perky, poppy reputation she established with her debut and a leap into more mature territory
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8.0
47093
8.0 |
Daily Telegraph
Delivers on all Goulding’s latent promise. Producer Jim Eliot puts her voice front, back and centre
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8.0
47107
8.0 |
Q
Showcases some potent pop songwriting. Print edition only
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8.0
47112
8.0 |
The Fly
A bold and confident step forward
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8.0
47433
8.0 |
State
New ground hasn’t been broken but progression and confidence have been noted and will carry her admirably to her next record
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7.0
47394
7.0 |
Entertainment.ie
It crucially lacks that element of 'wow' – but Halcyon is certainly a big advance on Lights, bigger and bolder and more anthemic
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7.0
47214
7.0 |
Rolling Stone
Goulding's magic is in her multitasking. And if she really gets busy with current paramour Skrillex, things could get even more interesting
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7.0
47268
7.0 |
All Music
An ambitious work by an artist intent on developing her total sound, Halcyon finds Goulding poised at the edge of artistic and career possibilities
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7.0
47278
7.0 |
Consequence Of Sound
In today’s era of pop, where computers find the soul for winning contestants, it’s hard to scoff at Goulding, whose sole problem on her record is being too emotionally redundant
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7.0
47192
7.0 |
PopMatters
On Halcyon Goulding amplifies her music geneology, both who she is and who she’s been, in what is an often successful attempt to transition to iconic stardom
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6.6
47758
6.6 |
Pitchfork
Goulding can certainly inhabit a soundscape. Her next step is to inhabit just one
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6.0
47484
6.0 |
BBC
The pop shape-shifter’s second LP is a little heavy-handed of production
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6.0
47544
6.0 |
musicOMH
It will undoubtedly contribute to a continuing successful profile over the Atlantic, but it looks like we may have to wait a bit longer for a truly successful album from Ellie Goulding
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6.0
47092
6.0 |
The Guardian
Isn't nearly as wet as its predecessor. Where that was tenuous, this is sure, combining delicate ballads with strident electro-pop and surprising production quirks
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6.0
47113
6.0 |
Evening Standard
After the fierce opening salvo of Don’t Say a Word and My Blood, the piano emerges and the ballads begin
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6.0
47119
6.0 |
The Independent
Compared to the songs on Lights, these seem nebulous affairs, their sentiments hiding behind insistent keyboard riffs and drum tattoos and complex layered vocal arrangements that seem to be trying to cover up for the lack of compulsion in their melodies
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6.0
47110
6.0 |
Uncut
Halcyon seems uncertain where it belongs - low-lit lounge or heaving club. Print edition only
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6.0
47094
6.0 |
The Irish Times
It plays it a little safe, following the same formula of synthesised pop with big choruses and orchestral ballads as Goulding’s debut
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6.0
47105
6.0 |
Mojo
We're in Florence & The Machine's realm of the senses here as tinkling pianos meet tribal drums, harps and choirs. Print edition only
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5.0
47210
5.0 |
NME
Mainly, ‘Halcyon’ sees Goulding’s quirky-as-usual vocals lazily spliced into factory-standard chart dance
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4.0
47198
4.0 |
The Scotsman
A couple of tracks escape the makeover and allow a kernel of emotion to float out, but Halcyon still feels routinely insubstantial
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2.0
47155
2.0 |
The Arts Desk
Since when was it a good idea to warble like Kate Bush in a wind machine?
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