Ellie Goulding

On first listen of “Halcyon,” it seems like Ellie Goulding has been listening to a lot of Florence and the Machine lately.

It makes sense. Like Florence Welch, Goulding is a British powerhouse with a uniquely powerful belt. If you liked Welch’s “Ceremonials,” you’re going to like “Halcyon.”

Standout tracks are marked by sweeping orchestral arrangements and complemented by the use of Goulding’s manipulated voice itself as an instrument. Her upper register is bright and clear and it’s used in a way you don’t hear often in modern pop.

“Anything Could Happen” and “Only You” are catchy anthems making great use of this technique. Avoid “I Know You Care” and “Joy,” which sound like Adele rejects. Goulding sounds best on more layered songs, like “Atlantis” and “Figure 8.”

As an extra treat, her cover of Active Child’s excellent “Hanging On” is actually quite good. Her voice is perfectly suited to the eerie runs of the original. And before anyone else calls it: The bonus track, “I Need Your Love,” produced by Calvin Harris of “We Found Love” fame, is gonna get big.

By Kelly Fritz