One of the BEST albums I've ever heard!!! Highlights are: My Blood, Halcyon, JOY, I Know You Care, I Need Your Love, and Ritual. This album is WAY better than her previous album Lights. Love you Ellie!

Very good album, i very much liked it. The lyrics were amazing, she has a great voice and is very talented, Anything could happen, Only you, My blood and explosions are my favourites

Never before have so feel such emotions. Turn the Halcyon and feel it. Very emotional album. Each song is like a piece of a broken heart but it is a very pleasant feeling when you are finished listening and your heart is fixed. I love this album and Ellie's voice like an angel. My favorite songs are My Blood, Anything Could Happen, Figure 8 and I Need Your Love.

When you have a natural vocal talent, like Ellie Goulding does, it needs to be harvested correctly.
This is where Goulding's second album Halcyon falls short. Over-produced on the majority of tracks, with needless sampling and vocal effects. The irony is that an 'effect' in terms of music production is supposed to enhance the dynamic range, stereo field, or audio aspects of a signal, and the vocals on Halcyon have in fact been completely ruined by over-production.

There are standout tracks, Explosions, Halcyon and JOY where Goulding's stunning vocals can be truly appreciated, however there are tracks such as Only You, Hanging On, and the first track Don't Say A Word which completely wreck the mood, and have moments which just completely bewilder me.

Being a big fan of her debut album Lights, this was a massive dissapointment for me to listen to, and it makes me concerned with the direction that Goulding is going in.

Blame Skrillex!… Expand

A Few Good Songs... But Sadly More Bad Than Good! I Feel Like Ellie Gould Do Alot Better! But Still Not A Bad Album...

Why a 10? Every single song is worth a listen, that's why. Actually...that one with Calvin Harris is pretty generic with nothing noteworthy about it; even Ellie's voice can't save it. The album does go through a range of emotions, but much of them fall under "sad". It's no wonder 'Anything Could Happen' is the only single, most of the other songs would bum people out. However, the quality shouldn't. The soundscapes created by 'My Blood', 'Only You' and 'Figure 8' are simply incredible. You will get lost in the music, and you'll love every second of it.… Expand

Great sophomore album from Ellie Goulding, who is another talented singer coming from UK. She has a great voice and her album has this weird 'electropop' vibe. The version that I bought has the single 'Lights' in it, one of her best singles.

Intense, dark and emotional, Halcyon shows less of Ellie's folk side and instead focuses on heavy beats and dark lyrics. However, there's still elements of Ellie that appeared on Lights; specifically the synths. Stand out track: Figure 8.

Her Voice Is Amazing! Very Creative Lyrics! Do I Smell A Grammy Nomination?

Halcyon is a really good bittersweet pop album. Congrats to Ellie who has done a really good work. The record is luxuriously epic and Goulding's vocals are amazingly aggressive. Highlights are "My Blood" and "I Know You Care". Thumbs up !

I became relaxed, almost in a state of trance while listening to this album. The combination of Ellies beautiful voice and powerful yet simple production makes the album a great everyday album. My only gripe is the track on the iTunes bonus that featured the rapper. Man does that track stick out like a sore thumb. After 13 tracks of melodic singing, having a random rapper come in totally throws off the flow.… Expand

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.… Expand

The hype surrounding English singer-songstress Ellie Goulding is well rewarded, since Halcyon in fact delivers. It's an endearingly soothing blend of genres from indietronica to folktronica to pure soul and dream pop, boosted by Goulding's dazzlingly soft Dolly Parton-esque vocals that's capable of putting deep listeners into a trance. In fact, the first minute of opener "Don't Say a Word" could make one believe they've purchased a bluesy folk record. The lead single, "Anything Could Happen", as well as the second single, "I Know You Care", are the album's most accessible and friendliest tracks. However, its true colors shine within its weirdest tracks, such as the stomp-clapping 'folk-tronic' "Only You", the dubstep driven "Figure 8", and the vocally mesmerizing closer "Dead In the Water". Harris's appearance could be well considered "I Need Your Love", but is mediocre in comparison to the rest of the album. All listeners should at least give Halcyon a listen.… Expand

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.

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.

I know people throw out 10's left and right, but there are probably only two other albums I've heard in my life I would rate a 10. Halcyon is really amazing. Every single song sounds of QUALITY! You can tell she invested a lot of time on each track to make sure they are all perfect. It's a lot more mature than her first album and a million times better. The main track list is a little more low tempo than the bonus tracks, so if you want the upbeat stuff, definitely get the deluxe version.

Best Pop Album of 2012 and one of the best records period. It blows everything in recent memory away IMO.

Favorite Track - My Blood
Favorite Bonus Track - The End… Expand