Grade: B+
Ellie Goulding practically owned the radio waves when “Lights” debuted in 2011. Her soft and high-pitched vocals were a refreshing change in a year overloaded with powerhouse anthems like Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and Katy Perry’s “Firework.”
If you’re anything like me, you probably busted your vocal chords several times trying to reach those high notes in the chorus before finally accepting that you sounded like a dying penguin.
Goulding’s second album, “Halcyon,” just made things worse with songs like “Anything Could Happen” and “Atlantis” that solidified my theory that Goulding is otherworldly and a superior being to all of us.
In her third studio album, “Delirium,” Goulding takes on a more pop tone in both voice and music. Her vocals are toned down to ranges more accessible to us mere mortals but that in no way limit the power we know Goulding is capable of.
The album begins with an intro, a dark and slow build of Goulding’s high notes blended with a steady low musical melody that bleeds into the next track, “Aftertaste.”
You’ll find the radio hits you’ve been driving to for the last few months scattered throughout the album, such as “On My Mind” and “Something In The Way You Move.” “Love Me Like You Do” from that atrocity “Fifty Shades of Grey” is somewhere in the middle.
Most of the songs are bangers. They’re poppy and peppy, though there are a few darker tones sounding off in songs like “Keep on Dancin’” and “Devotion.”
“Holding On For Life” is a standout track. It opens with a gospel tone as a chorus chants the name of the song that lends a powerful compliment to Goulding’s sultry voice.
“Army” is another track that causes you to take pause and rewind. It’s slower and lighter than the other songs until the bridge where Goulding belts it out and incorporates a little grit into her voice.
“Army” is also perhaps the strongest track on the album lyrically. The song is essentially Goulding thanking a partner for always sticking with her, the chorus a repetition of “When I’m with you / I’m standing with an army.”
The problem is “Army” is the only song that stands out with substantial lyrics. Sadly, a lot of the lyrics seem to be a combination of pretty words with ambiguous meanings that could be about love.
Overall, the album is a fun time with an abundance of tracks to dance to. Rest assured, Goulding will challenge your vocal abilities again, but you’ll be too busy head-banging to care.
