Halcyon
by
Halcyon Image
Metascore
69

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

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 266 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: 34 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 37
  3. Negative: 1 out of 37
  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. SebastianRR
    May 20, 2013
    10
    Canciones excelentes y un ritmo conmovedor y a la vez impactante, ahora muestra mas tenacidad a la hora de interpretar y de escribir. EllieCanciones excelentes y un ritmo conmovedor y a la vez impactante, ahora muestra mas tenacidad a la hora de interpretar y de escribir. Ellie Goulding la mejor en el DREAM POP.… Expand
  4. giannisavdis
    Nov 13, 2015
    10
    I THIND HALCYON WAS THE BEST ALBUM THAT ELLIE GOULDING HAVE EVER RECORDED. IM WRITTING THAT AT 13/11/2015 AND DELIRIUM IS OUT. I HAVE HEARDI THIND HALCYON WAS THE BEST ALBUM THAT ELLIE GOULDING HAVE EVER RECORDED. IM WRITTING THAT AT 13/11/2015 AND DELIRIUM IS OUT. I HAVE HEARD THE WHOLE ALBUM AND I STILL BELIVE THAT HALCYON IS BETTER. HALCYON WAS SPECIAL DELIRIUM IS JUST MAINSTREAM MUSIC. BY THE WAY I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU ELLIE AND I WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT YOU!… Expand
  5. Carlsdil000
    Jan 6, 2014
    9
    Loads of fun and beautiful to listen to. The songs grow on you, and you feel like you are getting to know Ellie Goulding as person. I love this album.
  6. Navelpluis1337
    Oct 9, 2012
    9
    A very likable album. Ellie is one of the better singers out there at the moment, and the music her beautiful vocals are set to uniqueA very likable album. Ellie is one of the better singers out there at the moment, and the music her beautiful vocals are set to unique instrumental backgrounds, some a lot different from previous album Lights. It's pop flirting with electronic music, and at that, it does a very good job.… Expand
  7. Panda_moniums
    May 10, 2014
    8
    I love this album. She has a unique voice and the music is awesome. I really love lots of the songs, everyone is very unique but they allI love this album. She has a unique voice and the music is awesome. I really love lots of the songs, everyone is very unique but they all stray in the same sound. I really like her music, but it does seem like Ellie Goulding is a bit of a jerk in real life. Whatever, her music is still great.… 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 37 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed Album of 2012
25
#25 Most Shared Album of 2012

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