What do you do when you really like something and you’re afraid of that old adage “too much of a good thing?” Fun fact, one of the earliest examples of this phrase in print is from Shakespeare’s As You Like It.

Turns out, if you are like me, you just go for it and hope you haven’t just wasted your time and hard earned dollars.

That’s why this week’s timotheories Melodic Monday review is so enticing. I am already in love with this artist, not romantically, mind you, it might be worse than that. I’m delirious over her music.

 

 

 

Ellie Goulding – Delirium
released November 6, 2015
********** 10/10

Elena “Ellie” Goulding is a very multi-dimensional singer and musician. Her career began in 2009 (my opinion), when she signed to Polydor Records.

She released Lights In 2010, and with it the title track reached top 10 lists in the US billboards in 2011. Goulding’s second studio album, Halcyon, was released in 2012. The lead single was Anything Could Happen.

Three years later, we have finally been introduced to Goulding’s third studio album, titled Delirium, with On My Mind as the album’s lead single.

This is a very surreal album to listen to folks.

Hold up for a minute, give me a minute here to explain my rationale a bit better. I mention this quality of Delirium because I really, really, really like it, but I don’t know how many other people will appreciate this record right out of the gate.

I immediately enjoyed it, but I can see why some of her biggest advocates will be disappointed by the seemingly “sudden” shift from EDM and electropop tones into a mature dancepop effort. But I’m a grown man and this is not only the album I didn’t realize I wanted, but it’s the one that fans of Goulding need. Sorry, not sorry for the Dark Knight reference.

All of the songs tackle topics of love, life, and labour, but they don’t treat us like children and hopeless romantics while they do it. Again, as I mentioned, I find it weird to listen to, because it’s a pop album.

But I think this album represents a turning point in pop music. We are finally starting to see more nuanced efforts in the industry, and it’s because talented artists enjoy this kind of music too and they want to participate in the culture.

Goulding calls this her “big pop” album, and it makes that mark very clearly. Being a child of the 80’s, you could make an argument that she is better suited for this synth resurgence than her contemporaries. I know I do.

The intro track starts us off strong, with stadium inspired instrumentals, and leads us right into Aftertaste, one of my favourite tracks on the album. This one is about an ending relationship, a sober one at that, but without all of the bitterness at the end.

Something In The Way You Move is next up and will remind you of track 9, Love Me Like You Do, which apparently was released for the Fifty Shades of Grey movie, but I won’t hold that against her.

On My Mind, is a clever enough song, and opens you up for the more exciting ones which show up midway through the album – Don’t Panic, and We Can’t Move to This.

Army is an epic track for sure, but I really think the bonus track on the deluxe edition, I Do What I Love, showcases Goulding’s unique voice and where she has come 3 albums and 6 years later.

As I mentioned earlier in the post, I’m already a fan of Ellie Goulding, so I bought the deluxe edition of the album, and as a result I’ve been treated to an additional 7 tracks. Which I think are essential. Outside and Powerful are great collaboration choices. Besides, who doesn’t like Calvin Harris and Major Lazer?

You need to listen to this album. Period.

 

 

 

It really was a tough decision to make, because I had promised myself I would do whatever I could to buy and review albums from artists that I hadn’t heard much of previously or whom I did not already own something in their catalogue.

But this was too difficult to resist. And I think I just gave my first 10. What do you think? Was I off the mark? Leave some comments!

Tim!