Halcyon
by
Halcyon Image
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 294 Ratings

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  • Summary: The second release for the British pop singer was produced by Jim Eliot.
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Top Track

Anything Could Happen
Stripped to the waist We fall into the river Cover your eyes So you don't know the secret I've been trying to hide We held our breath To see our... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  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.
  2. The Fly (UK)
    Oct 5, 2012
    80
    Halcyon is a bold and confident step forward.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Oct 9, 2012
    75
    On Halcyon she marries thoughtful ruminations on young love to whooshing synth riffs and hard-edged machine beats; the album claims electronic dance music as the natural province of sensitive singer-songwriters.
  4. AllMusic
    Oct 8, 2012
    70
    An ambitious work by an artist intent on developing her total sound, Halcyon finds Goulding poised at the edge of artistic and career possibilities.
  5. Mojo
    Oct 22, 2012
    60
    There is improvement in the songwriting....But halfway through you might well weary at the album's unrelenting, full-bodied tone. [Nov 2012, p.91]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Oct 8, 2012
    60
    She makes a half-decent dance diva on "I Need Your Love", but I'd ask whether that doesn't defeat the object of being Ellie Goulding, though I still don't know what that object is.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Oct 8, 2012
    50
    Mainly, Halcyon sees Goulding's quirky-as-usual vocals lazily spliced into factory-standard chart dance.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 46
  3. Negative: 1 out of 46
  1. bamboo
    Oct 10, 2012
    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 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.… Expand
  2. ej125
    May 5, 2013
    10
    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 isOne 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!… Expand
  4. RickyReviews
    Feb 19, 2016
    10
    One of the best albums I have ever heard. All the songs are catchy, but in a good way, not like Uptown Funk. Much much better than TaylorOne of the best albums I have ever heard. All the songs are catchy, but in a good way, not like Uptown Funk. Much much better than Taylor Swift. Should be a Grammy winner! 10/10!… Expand
  5. joshuastar
    Jul 18, 2014
    10
    This is definitely one of the most beautiful pop record of the 2010s: Ellie's vocals are here at their best, whereas the songs are alwaysThis is definitely one of the most beautiful pop record of the 2010s: Ellie's vocals are here at their best, whereas the songs are always intense and well-crafted.… Expand
  6. GagaForGhibli
    Nov 7, 2012
    9
    Her Voice Is Amazing! Very Creative Lyrics! Do I Smell A Grammy Nomination?
  7. camilosanchez16
    Dec 17, 2014
    8
    Ellie ha definido su música gracias a su divertido y cómodo estilo de canto, siendo sincero, su delicadeza a la hora de cantar, pero así mismoEllie ha definido su música gracias a su divertido y cómodo estilo de canto, siendo sincero, su delicadeza a la hora de cantar, pero así mismo su dureza a la hora de expresarse, me ha encantado.… Expand
  8. niallriches
    Mar 31, 2013
    3
    When you have a natural vocal talent, like Ellie Goulding does, it needs to be harvested correctly.
    This is where Goulding's second album    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

See all 46 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Most Discussed Album of 2012
25
#25 Most Shared Album of 2012

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