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Lights
by
Lights Image
Metascore
65

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

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 193 Ratings

  • 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.

Top Track

Starry Eyed
Handle bars, and then I let go, let go for anyone Take me in, and throw out my heart and get a new one Next thing we're touching You look at me it's... See the rest of the song lyrics
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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. Uncut
    80
    Lights feels like the product of a distinctive personality, following a peculiar vision rather than ticking genre boxes. [Apr 2010, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. AllMusic
    Dec 19, 2011
    70
    Goulding is able to take the best parts of all of her contemporaries' styles and make them her own, coating everything in the breathy flutter of her voice.
  4. Hot Press
    60
    Starry-eyed debut hits more often than misses.
  5. 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.
  6. musicOMH.com
    60
    Unfairly or otherwise, Lights will be consumed by many with the weight of expectation hanging heavy around it. For the most part, the strength of the songwriting should keep the doubters at bay.
  7. Mojo
    40
    Lights does have its moments: the strident "Uner The Sheets" and the odd sounds of the Frankmusik-produced "Wish I stayed" stand Out. But when they're placed next to the overwrought, cliched ballad "The Writer" or the dodgy Europop of "I'll Hold My Breath" it adds up to a rather bland listen. [Apr 2010, p.92]
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See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 35
  3. Negative: 2 out of 35
  1. delvishernandez
    Mar 27, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Best debut album of all time. Ellie Goulding claims to be the indie queen of her time.… Expand
  2. clarinhaaa
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    This debut by Ellie Goulding is amazing, here voice is great and unique and I love her lyrics too
  4. tarekmallo
    Apr 27, 2012
    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.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
  5. bradaviel
    Sep 9, 2012
    9
    I discovered that album just lately on a trip to the big apple. It's been 4 weeks and i have to say i hardly listened to anything else since.I discovered that album just lately on a trip to the big apple. It's been 4 weeks and i have to say i hardly listened to anything else since. Ellie has a beautiful voice, but the way she uses it is what got me in the first place. It's the little things, the arrangements, the geeky/dance samples, the way she uses all the moving variations that makes that Ep truly great. Lights was the first track i got to discover, with its catchy tones and mesmerizing rhythm. But as usual with great Eps, some other tracks quickly got my attention. Not the obvious Elton John cover (which gives a new spin on an old timeless classic i happen to love). Ellie has the gift to produce graphic sensations with her lyrics on the most common things, getting you to experience them in a colorful and sensible way. The writing, singing and music come together in a complex but easy to follow way that is both hypnotic and remarkable. Often i pondered on the way the rhythm is done, and was amazed at the work that was created on its simple complexity. There was obviously a lot of work into this, but it didn't overshadow the heart of it. Truly a work of art that 'll be hard to top, but i wish she does it again with the second Ep that's coming out shortly. Not that i can get enough of that one. My picks : I'd recommend listening to "Under the sheets", "Wish I Stayed", "Salt Skin", "Your biggest mistake" and "Little Dreams".… Expand
  6. a_man_is_no_1
    Sep 5, 2021
    8
    One of the best 2010's pop albums, This album contains so many pop bops, for me, this is the best Ellie Goulding album ever.
  7. GagaForGhibli
    Jun 6, 2012
    8
    A Very Nice Album!
    Great Debut
  8. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 24, 2022
    0
    Unremarkable euro pop that plays like consistent shots in the dark with the hope to hit something good,which i guess happens however brieflyUnremarkable euro pop that plays like consistent shots in the dark with the hope to hit something good,which i guess happens however briefly on "lights"… Expand

See all 35 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Most Discussed Album of 2011
85
#85 Most Shared Album of 2011

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