Ellie Goulding – Delirium

From the ambient-centric effort of Halcyon back in 2012, British popstar Ellie Goulding ignites her mainstream spark with her third studio album Delirium, a rich collection of catchy songs primed for setting alight any club-night atmosphere.

After the mysterious and exotic choral overture Intro (Delirium), the heart-pounding dance pop treadmill starts rolling with Aftertaste. The jangling guitar and bright synth harmonies, the pummelling drumbeat, and above all the euphoric chorus melody justify Goulding’s ability to concoct a powerful pop anthem. The occasional weak numbers slip through the album like Keep on Dancin’, a particular track that doesn’t fulfill what the title conveys. While one could admire her creative enterprise in brewing a hypnotic twist on the classic whistle-hook pop formula, the overall result feels redundant and thin.

Delirium dabbles in other musical territories, including some infectious R ‘n’ B in On My Mind and Around U. The skittish beat and guitar riff in On My Mind has a touch of attitude that speaks for Goulding’s straight-talking lyrics (such as “You don’t mess with love, you mess with the truth”). The punctuating vibe of Around U has a doo-wap influenced youthful energy that provides a fine contrast in the musical journey. By contrast, perhaps one can sense a tinge of Munford & Sons-esque propulsion in Holding on for Life, particularly from the jubilant handclaps, until Goulding’s power ballad siblings Love Me Like You Do and Army follow and take centre stage in the album, both resonating with reverb-laden drums, grand strings and synths, and swelling vocal melodies enriched by a choral entourage.

The Emilie Sande-like R ‘n’ B backdrop of Heal directs the album for a moment of serenity, only to be blown away by a final burst of electro-pop ecstasy in Outside (produced by Calvin Harris). While a strong mainstream energy is injected in Delirium, Goulding has carved out a quirky identity for herself with her polished and unique vocal timbre, thus differentiating this album from similar artists in the field.

Isaku Takahashi

Delirium was released on 6^th November 2015, for further information or to order the album visit here.

Watch the video for Love Me Like You Do here: