Lights - Ellie Goulding
Lights Image
Metascore
65 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 58 Ratings

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  • Summary: The first full-length album for the British singer-songwriter debuted as number one on the UK album charts. The US version includes three songs not on the UK release.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Boston Globe
    Mar 14, 2011
    80
    Goulding's crackling voice is capable of affecting a prostrate pose in the midst of the swirl that suggests the latter's folk-tinged vulnerability.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    60
    Devoid of a true soul or sense of honesty Lights can be a pretty hollow listen. You could argue that away from the aforementioned hype-led anticipation that this album would surprise and charm; yet without the vested interest of big wigs and shareholders Lights might simply not be here.
  3. Rolling Stone
    Mar 8, 2011
    60
    The results are moody ("Lights"), pretty (the Top Five U.K. hit "Starry Eyed") and uniformly catchy. On first listen, Goulding can sound innocuous: Dido with dancier beats. But there's darkness here. And lots of sex.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    It's an impressive attempt to drag folk music out of the hayloft and onto the dancefloor and it marks the emergence of a smart, sincere and talented new pop star.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. tarekmallo
    10
    Ellie Goulding's debut album is strong in it's own way. The lyrics are as charming as her tender voice and the production is also consistent. Strong recommendations for Starry Eyed, The Writer, This Love and Everytime You Go.… Expand
  2. fatprincess1215
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. asdsbgshbhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhnbbbbbbvdsghjhgkfgfhgfghdfgfgdhgfnhdfkgbshgdfgmnf,lnhjhkl,gfkjgnbnkjfdfkjsfnhkjnkgjh… Expand
  3. SuperRichKids13
    8
    Soft, sweet and delightful. This English Debut but Folktronica princess, Ellie Goulding is a real sweet charmer. Complete with techno, swift guitar playing beats and auto-tunic flavour. It was sure to prove a crashing stormer and it did. 'Starry Eyed' Is a catchy favourite & highlights are 'Gun's & Horses,' 'Under the Sheets,' & 'The Writer'… Expand
  4. wallofjericho42
    7
    Good Album. It's full of catchy melodies, fun rhythms and beats, and Ellie often has an appealing voice in her songs. Her cover of Elton John's "Your Song" seemed out of place for both the album and for Ellie herself. The Live performance of "Starry Eyed" was more up her alley, but also felt misplaced. Nothing stands out lyrically in her songs, as most of it seemed relatively standard. The songs that stand out are "Lights", "Starry Eyed", "Animal", and "Guns and Horses". Definitely give her a listen!… Expand

See all 15 User Reviews

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