Halcyon - Ellie Goulding
Metascore
69 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Oct 5, 2012
    83
    Halcyon could have gone for easy crossovers. But the album is slightly too weird for that--and that's what makes it good.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 89 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. bamboo
    10
    This album captured my soul right on the first listen. Never before have I experienced so many emotions, from despair and sadness to hope. This album deserves the same success, if not more, than what Adele's 21 has achieved.… Full Review »
  2. ashleymark
    10
    This is a crafted and adventurous piece of work from such a young musician. She has clearly invested a lot of time into this and has built upon what was good about her previous record. It's an album that screams for your attention and from the first to the last song, it maintains it.… Full Review »
  3. DRP64
    10
    It was always going to be difficult for Ellie coming back to the UK, after such a long absence whilst she unexpectedly smashed America, but she hasn't disappointed. 'Halcyon' couldn't be much different from her debut album, but it that was always going to be the case given how much her life has changed since she penned 'Lights'. Indeed, 'Halcyon' has very much captured a specific moment in her life, based around the break-up with Radio 1 DJ Greg James, yet this is not your typical heartbreak album.
    Tender yet resilient, emotions displayed on the album certainly contrast each other, with the earlier tracks such as 'My Blood' and 'Halcyon' displaying optimism and drive only to give way to much softer and deeper tones of 'I Know You Care' and 'Explosions'. This album definitely has a versatility to it and it will no doubt act as plenty of material for dance artists such are the strong drum beats that provide the backbone to many of the tracks.
    But all-round this is a fantastic and busy album, which has given Ellie Goulding the chance to start afresh and show how she has grown in confidence as an artist to wear her heart on her sleeve. Up there with the best.    … Full Review »
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