Delirium
by Ellie Goulding
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
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  1. Q Magazine
    Dec 14, 2015
    80
    It's only on lightweight tracks Army and Devotions that Delirium drags. [Jan 2016, p.107]
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  2. The Observer (UK)
    Nov 9, 2015
    80
    You could argue some of what made her unique has been ironed out, but there are too many singalong moments here to really notice.
  3. AllMusic
    Nov 9, 2015
    80
    Ultimately, it's the unexpectedly appealing combination of Goulding's distinctive voice and the melismatic R&B bent of the songs on Delirium that makes for such an ecstatic listen.
  5. Pitchfork
    Nov 5, 2015
    72
    While these songs can sometimes evoke other major players in her genre, she makes Max Martin’s signatures feel personal, making a mature pop record that feels like a natural progression.
  6. Under The Radar
    Dec 2, 2015
    70
    Listen to it once while you get ready to hit the town, and then dance along to it into the wee hours of the night, for Delirium is eminently qualified to get you moving.
  7. PopMatters
    Dec 2, 2015
    70
    Goulding’s sound has gained an even greater sheen and expectations have grown, and we’ll see, in the coming months, whether Delirium is the big album that Goulding is aiming for.
  8. Rolling Stone
    Nov 10, 2015
    70
    The songwriting on Delirium doesn't always feel worthy of her ambitions, but Goulding is technically peerless and versatile, maintaining her power and flare throughout and crushing every glassy jam she's put in front of.
  9. The Line of Best Fit
    Nov 9, 2015
    70
    It retains a surprising amount of individuality for an album almost certainly destined for the top of the charts. And, though it might well feel a little samey in it's early stages, the final half more than makes up for it.
  10. Spin
    Nov 4, 2015
    70
    Finally, she’s embracing the responsibility to provide stone-cold tunes without pretense.
  11. Entertainment Weekly
    Nov 6, 2015
    67
    All these songs sound good enough, but the head rush promised by the title never quite arrives.
  12. Drowned In Sound
    Nov 23, 2015
    60
    Delirum has the feel of a late-period Britney album, where production is prized above personality.
  13. musicOMH.com
    Nov 11, 2015
    60
    While the anodyne Around U and the UK garage stylings of Devotion could easily be jettisoned, lessening the stylistically jumbled, overlong effect. Ultimately, though, Goulding’s experiment with carefully crafted but impactful Big Pop was a success.
  14. New Musical Express (NME)
    Nov 4, 2015
    60
    There's something disappointing about this, however undeniable the quality of material.
  15. Consequence
    Nov 6, 2015
    50
    Ultimately, chunks of Delirium cement Goulding’s place in our current pop soundscape. However, the album doesn’t fit together as well as, say, 1989 or E-MO-TION.
  16. Clash Music
    Nov 4, 2015
    20
    The main problem with this is that her voice is too wispy to hold its own versus the maximalist rave-pop of the day.... On top of this, Delirium just hasn't got the songs.

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Most Discussed Album of 2015
24
#24 Most Shared Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 458 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 333 out of 458
  2. Mixed: 49 out of 458
  3. Negative: 76 out of 458
  1. andypdm
    Nov 6, 2015
    10
    She said she has deliberately made a much more pop album, but the album sounds like a great exercise of commerciality and quality in the wayShe said she has deliberately made a much more pop album, but the album sounds like a great exercise of commerciality and quality in the way a grown up would do it, without pretentions and delivering the best results. Great album.… Full Review »
  2. Sadblee
    Nov 6, 2015
    10
    Realmente no se que pensar de las personas que esperaban un "Halcyon 2.0", quienes desde hace un tiempo seguimos la música de Ellie GouldingRealmente no se que pensar de las personas que esperaban un "Halcyon 2.0", quienes desde hace un tiempo seguimos la música de Ellie Goulding sabemos que ella cambia de estilo con cada álbum. En mi opinión no bajó la calidad de su música, solo cambió radicalmente su estilo, lo cual es bastante normal en los artistas pop de la actualidad. Me hubiese sentido un poco decepcionado si hubiese mantenido el mismo estilo de la era "Halcyon" durante un par de años más. Estoy sorprendido con varias criticas -bastante rudas- de algunas personas, pero estoy bastante orgulloso de ella por haberse arriesgado tanto, todo es cuestión de gustos y me alegra que mis gustos sean lo suficientemente amplios como para escuchar a la Ellie Goulding de "Lights" a la de "Halcyon" y a la de "Delirium" sin ningún tipo de problema. #Proud… Full Review »
  3. DavidRennan
    Nov 6, 2015
    10
    Ellie Goulding's "Delirium" just shows how much he grows emotionally and musically in recent years. By stripping the heavy and gloomy cover ofEllie Goulding's "Delirium" just shows how much he grows emotionally and musically in recent years. By stripping the heavy and gloomy cover of Halcyon diving body and mind in a state of Delirium. Great music and perfect ambiance.… Full Review »
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