Halcyon Days (Ellie Goulding album)

Halcyon Days
Studio album (reissue) by Ellie Goulding
Released 23 August 2013
Genre
Label Polydor
Producer
Ellie Goulding chronology
  • Halcyon Days
  • (2013)
Singles from Halcyon Days
  1. "Burn"
    Released: 5 July 2013
  2. "How Long Will I Love You"
    Released: 10 November 2013
  3. "Goodness Gracious"
    Released: 21 February 2014

Halcyon Days is the reissue of English recording artist Ellie Goulding's second studio album, Halcyon (2012). It was released on 23 August 2013 by Polydor Records. The lead single from the reissued album, "Burn", was released on 5 July 2013, becoming Goulding's first number-one single on the UK Singles Chart. The song also reached the top five in Germany and Ireland, and the top ten in Australia, France and New Zealand. "How Long Will I Love You" and "Goodness Gracious" were subsequently released as the second and third singles from Halcyon Days, respectively.

Background

In an interview with Elle in July 2013, Goulding announced plans to release a repackaged version of Halcyon with new songs, commenting, "I have such an affinity with electronic music that I can't step away from it."[1] The reissue, titled Halcyon Days, was released on 26 August 2013 and contains ten additional tracks, including the lead single "Burn".[2][3] The song "You My Everything", which was ultimately included on Halcyon Days, premiered on 1 July 2013 during the first episode of the final series of the British teen drama series Skins.[4] "Under Control" was offered as a free download on Amazon UK on 21 August 2013.[5] "Burn" was featured in the second episode of the fifth season of The Vampire Diaries on 10 October 2013,[6] and "Tessellate" was used in the seventh episode of the third season of Revenge on 10 November.[7]

New content

fun's Nate Ruess co-wrote the third single "Goodness Gracious"

Halcyon Days features ten new tracks, with the first being "Burn", "a celebration of life in its purest form", as described by Idolator's Kathy Iandoli.[8] The track is a pop song with rave influences, while her vocals are crowded with echoes and distortion.[9] According to Goulding, the song is "probably the most poppy song I've released. But it's all me. I wanted to release 'Burn', I loved it, even if it is a vague sentiment. I think it's a truly great song."[9] "Goodness Gracious" follows, being described by Nicole Frehsee of Rolling Stone as "a blippy ode to fickleness."[10] It was co-written with fun's Nate Ruess, with Goulding noting that the song "is about dissing yourself for not thinking straight and not being fair. I've been in situations where I knew someone wasn't right for me, yet I kept bringing them back", she claimed.[10] "You My Everything" and "Flashlight" (with DJ Fresh) "take Goulding's natural inclination for electronic beats and mix them with the soulful undertone of her vocals", as stated by Iandoli.[8] "Stay Awake" celebrates "not sleeping and partying all night" over triumphant synth stabs, as highlighted by Frehsee. "It's less serious content than I'd usually write about", Goulding claimed. "But I've always been a fan of club songs that feel good."[10]

Fourth track "Hearts Without Chains" was described as "an affecting piano-based ballad about healing and moving forward".[11] It was co-written by Fraser T. Smith, who produced Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain". "It's my favorite song of the batch", says Goulding. "It has a folky English quality to it. Plus, it's quite nice to listen to and not be in the state I was when I wrote it."[10] "Under Control" "reclaims empowerment and confidence ('I feel like I'm breathing again'), while wrapped in a mix of fuzzy bass and echoed clanks", as declared by Digital Spy's Lewis Corner.[12] The other three tracks on the album are covers. The first, "How Long Will I Love You?", was originally released by The Waterboys and Goulding transforms it into a sweet, contemplative ballad. It was part of the soundtrack for Richard Curtis' romantic comedy "About Time".[10] The second, Alt-J’s "Tessellate" loses some of its cryptic airs as Goulding reveals different layers,[11] featuring a "seductive makeover with Chiddy Bang’s Xaphoon Jones on the beat."[8] Finally, Midnight Star’s "Midas Touch" is turned inside out into a fittingly atmospheric declaration of self,[11] having a darker tone.[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Boston Globe positive[11]
Digital Spy [12]
Idolator [8]
The New Zealand Herald 4/5[13]
Rolling Stone [14]

Halcyon Days received acclaim from most music critics. Ken Capobianco of Boston Globe noted that "The expanded edition of Ellie Goulding’s fine 'Halcyon' is no mere recycling job, as it helps expand the range of her musical vision with 10 new tracks", claiming that "beneath the electronics lies real soul."[11] Caren Ganz of Rolling Stone praised the album for "confirm[ing] [that] Goulding is doing her best work on clubby tracks with luminescent titles."[14] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy opined that the album is "the moment Ellie firmly makes her mark in pop", since its original version "lacked enough upbeat ditties that the wider public seemingly crave."[12] Kathy Iandoli of Idolator agreed, claiming that the album is "a progression into happier territory", and that it's "merely an extension of Ellie's awesomeness and a sonic timeline through happiness, heartbreak and more happiness."[8]

Singles

"Burn" was released on 5 July 2013 as the first single from Halcyon Days.[15] A fan-submitted Vine video for the song premiered on 4 July 2013,[16] followed by the official music video on 7 July.[17] The track became Goulding's first-ever number one on the UK Singles Chart, topping the chart for three consecutive weeks.[18] "Burn" also attained commercial success internationally, reaching number one in Italy, the top five in Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Ireland and Sweden, and the top ten in Australia, France, New Zealand and Spain.[19][20] The song was nominated for British Single of the Year and Best Video at the 2014 BRIT Awards.[21][22]

The second single from Halcyon Days, "How Long Will I Love You", was released on 10 November 2013 as the official song for BBC Children in Need 2013 appeal.[23] The single peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart.[24] "Goodness Gracious" was released on 21 February 2014 as the third single from Halcyon Days.[25] The song reached number sixteen on the UK Singles Chart.[24] In an interview with Capital FM on 9 February 2014, DJ Fresh revealed that he and Goulding had recorded a new version of the song "Flashlight" for single release later in 2014.[26] The reworked version of the song was released on 28 September 2014 as the fourth single from Fresh's forthcoming fourth studio album.[27]

Promotion

Goulding performed "Burn" on the British and Italian editions of The X Factor on 13 October and 31 October 2013, respectively.[28][29] She also promoted the single on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on 24 October 2013,[30] on The Queen Latifah Show on 28 October,[31] on NBC's The Voice on 26 November,[32] on Late Show with David Letterman on 21 January 2014[33] and on Good Morning America on 22 January.[34] Goulding delivered the first televised performance of "Goodness Gracious" on the British chat show The Graham Norton Show on 28 February 2014.[35]

Track listing

UK and Australian standard edition[36][37]
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Don't Say a Word"  
  • Eliot
  • Goulding
 4:07
2. "My Blood"  
  • Eliot
  • Goulding
 3:54
3. "Anything Could Happen"  
  • Goulding
  • Eliot
  • Eliot
  • Goulding
 4:47
4. "Only You"  
  • Goulding
  • Eliot
  • Eliot
  • Goulding
 3:51
5. "Halcyon"  
  • Goulding
  • Eliot
  • Eliot
  • Goulding
 3:25
6. "Figure 8"  
  • Goulding
  • Jonny Lattimer
 4:08
7. "Joy"  
  • Goulding
  • Eliot
  • Eliot
  • Goulding
 3:14
8. "Hanging On"  
Billboard 3:22
9. "Explosions"  
  • Goulding
  • Fortis
Fortis 4:03
10. "I Know You Care"  
Parker 3:26
11. "Atlantis"  
  • Goulding
  • Eliot
  • Eliot
  • Goulding
 3:53
12. "Dead in the Water"  
  • Goulding
  • Fin Dow-Smith
Starsmith 4:44
13. "I Need Your Love" (Calvin Harris featuring Ellie Goulding) (bonus track)
  • Harris
  • Goulding
Harris 3:58
14. "Burn"  
  • Kurstin
  • Tedder[c]
 3:51
15. "Goodness Gracious"  
 3:46
16. "You My Everything"  
  • Robbie Lamond
  • White[c]
  • Sigma[a]
 3:29
17. "Hearts Without Chains"  
Smith 3:45
18. "Stay Awake" (with Madeon)
Leclercq 3:26
19. "Under Control"  
  • Oligee
  • Cory Enemy
 4:06
20. "Flashlight" (with DJ Fresh)
DJ Fresh 3:33
21. "How Long Will I Love You" (bonus track)Mike ScottFortis 2:34
Notes

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of the deluxe edition of Halcyon Days.[51]

  • Ellie Goulding – vocals, art direction
  • Richard Andrews – design
  • Beatriz Artola – engineering (track 4)
  • Ben Baptie – mixing assistant (track 6)
  • Burns – mixing, production (track 10)
  • Nick Cornu – guitar (track 8)
  • Dahi Divine – saxophone (track 9)
  • Tom Elmhirst – mixing (track 6)
  • Cory Enemy – production (track 6)
  • John Fortis – bass, keyboards, production (track 8)
  • Matti Free – guitar (track 9)
  • DJ Fresh – mastering, mixing, production (track 7)
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing (tracks 1, 2)
  • Cassandra Gracey – art direction
  • John Hanes – mix engineering (tracks 1, 2)
  • Rob Katz – vocal engineering (track 1)
  • Richard Kayvan – engineering, mixing (track 8)
  • Joe Kearns – vocal engineering, vocal production (track 2); engineering (track 8)
  • Chris Ketley – piano (track 8)
  • Ashley Krajewski – engineering, percussion (track 8)
  • Greg Kurstin – engineering, guitar, production (track 1); engineering, keyboards, programming (tracks 1, 2); vocal production (track 2)
  • Robbie Lamond – drums, guitar, organ, piano, production, programming, strings (track 3)
  • Rachael Lander – cello (track 8)
  • Hugo Leclercq – arrangement, mastering, mixing, production, programming (track 5)
  • Jamie Lillywhite – A&R
  • Kirsty Mangan – viola, violin (track 8)
  • Naweed – mastering (tracks 1–4, 6, 8–10)
  • Oligee – production (track 6)
  • Robert Orton – mixing (track 3)
  • Alex Pasco – additional engineering (track 2)
  • Simon Procter – photography
  • Nate Ruess – backing vocals (track 2)
  • Ryan Schwabe – mixing (track 9)
  • Jesse Shatkin – engineering (track 1); additional engineering (track 2)
  • Sigma – additional production (track 3)
  • Fraser T Smith – bass guitar, drum programming, keyboards, mixing, production, programming (track 4)
  • Ryan Tedder – vocal production (track 1)
  • Sean Walsh – additional engineering (track 6)
  • Eg White – vocal production (track 3)
  • Xaphoon Jones – mixing, production (track 9)

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2013–14) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[52] 4
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[53] 23
Croatian Foreign Albums (IFPI)[54] 21
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[55] 30
Italian Albums (FIMI)[56] 74
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[57] 260
New Zealand Albums (Recorded Music NZ)[58] 1
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[59] 35
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[60] 22

Year-end charts

Chart (2013) Position
New Zealand Albums (Recorded Music NZ)[61] 25
Chart (2014) Position
New Zealand Albums (Recorded Music NZ)[62] 24
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[63] 71

Release history

Region Date Edition Label Ref.
Australia 23 August 2013
  • Standard
  • deluxe
 Universal [37][42]
Germany [38][43]
Netherlands [64][65]
Sweden 26 August 2013 [39][44]
United Kingdom Polydor [36][41]
Poland 27 August 2013 Universal [66][67]
Canada Deluxe [45]
United States
[68]
Italy 1 October 2013 Standard Universal [69]
France 9 December 2013 [40]
10 March 2014 Re-release [70]
Germany 23 May 2014 [71]
Poland 3 June 2014 [72]
Japan 2 July 2014 Standard [50]

References

  1. ↑ Zemler, Emily (2 July 2013). "How Ellie Goulding Prepped for Her Mega Tour with Bruno Mars". Elle. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  2. ↑ "'Halcyon Days' Album Announced". elliegoulding.com. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  3. ↑ Corner, Lewis (5 July 2013). "Ellie Goulding confirms repackaged album 'Halcyon Days'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  4. ↑ Lee, Ann (2 July 2013). "Ellie Goulding premieres new song You, My Everything on Skins Fire". Metro. DMG Media. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "Free Ellie Download". elliegoulding.com. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  6. ↑ Bell, Crystal (10 October 2013). "The Vampire Diaries Music: Songs From Season 5, Episode 2". Wetpaint. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "Revenge ABC TV Show Music & Songs | Music Lounge". American Broadcasting Company. Archived from the original on 26 November 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 Iandoli, Kathy (27 August 2013). "Ellie Goulding's 'Halcyon Days': Album Review". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lamont, Tom (10 November 2013). "Ellie Goulding: 'My voice is the top thing. That's the key'". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Frehsee, Nicole (15 August 2013). "Ellie Goulding Shifts Gears on New 'Halcyon Days' Tracks". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Capobianco, Ken (26 August 2013). "Ellie Goulding, 'Halcyon Days'". Boston Globe. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Corner, Lewis (23 August 2013). "Ellie Goulding: 'Halcyon Days' – Album review". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  13. ↑ Gillespie, Kim (1 September 2013). "Album Review: Ellie Goulding, Halycon Days". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Ganz, Caryn (9 September 2013). "Ellie Goulding Halcyon Days Album Review". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  15. ↑ "Burn – Single by Ellie Goulding". iTunes Store (AU). Apple. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  16. ↑ "Vine 'Burn' Fan Video". elliegoulding.com. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  17. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (8 July 2013). "Ellie Goulding Lets It 'Burn' In New Video: Watch". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  18. ↑ Lane, Daniel (1 September 2013). "Ellie Goulding: "I never expected Burn to be Number 1, let alone for three weeks!"". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  19. ↑ "Discography Ellie Goulding". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  20. ↑ "Ellie Goulding – Burn" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  21. ↑ "Brits 2014: Nominations in full". BBC News Online. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  22. ↑ Denham, Jess (11 February 2014). "Brit Awards 2014: Ellie Goulding and One Direction among Best Video nominees". The Independent. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  23. ↑ "'How Long Will I Love You' – Official BBC Children In Need Single". elliegoulding.com. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Ellie Goulding". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  25. ↑ "Goodness Gracious – Single by Ellie Goulding". iTunes Store (IE). Apple. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  26. ↑ "DJ Fresh Teases New Ellie Goulding Collaboration As He Joins Max In The Studio – Video". Capital FM. 9 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  27. ↑ "Flashlight (feat. Ellie Goulding) [Radio Edit] – Single by DJ Fresh". iTunes Store (GB). Apple. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  28. ↑ Chester, Jason (13 October 2013). "It's not quite Beyonce... Ellie Goulding's attempt to pull off a very racy gold dress with nude side panels on The X Factor divides viewers". Daily Mail. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  29. ↑ Cogan, Judy (4 November 2013). "Mama mia! Ellie Goulding wears yet another revealing outfit as she bares her midriff to perform on Italian X Factor". Daily Mail. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  30. ↑ "Video: Ellie Performs 'Burn' on Ellen". elliegoulding.com. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  31. ↑ "Ellie Goulding Is On Fire With "Burn"". The Queen Latifah Show. Sony Pictures Television. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  32. ↑ "Ellie to Perform on The Voice USA". elliegoulding.com. 23 November 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  33. ↑ Daw, Robbie (22 January 2014). "Ellie Goulding Burns Up 'The Late Show With David Letterman': Watch". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  34. ↑ "Ellie Goulding Performs Burn on Good Morning America". Cherrytree Records. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  35. ↑ "Ellie Goulding Performs "Goodness Gracious" on "The Graham Norton Show"". Direct Lyrics. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "Halcyon Days". Universal Music UK. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Halcyon Days – Goulding, Ellie". JB Hi-Fi. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "Halcyon Days (Repack)" (in German). Amazon.de. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 "Halcyon Days – Album – Goulding Ellie" (SELECT "FAKTA" TAB) (in Swedish). CDON.se. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "Halcyon days – Ellie Goulding" (in French). Fnac. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 "Halcyon Days (Deluxe Edition)". Universal Music UK. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "Halcyon Days (Deluxe Edition) – Goulding, Ellie". JB Hi-Fi. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 "Ellie Goulding | Halcyon Days (Deluxe Edition)" (in German). Universal Music Germany. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 "Halcyon Days (Deluxe Edition 2CD) – Album – Goulding Ellie" (SELECT "FAKTA" TAB) (in Swedish). CDON.se. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 "Halcyon/ Deluxe Edition : 2CD by Ellie Goulding". HMV Canada. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  46. ↑ "Halcyon Days (Deluxe Edition) by Ellie Goulding". iTunes Store (GB). Apple. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  47. ↑ "Halcyon Days (Deluxe Edition) by Ellie Goulding". iTunes Store (US). Apple. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  48. ↑ "Halcyon Days (Deluxe Edition) by Ellie Goulding". iTunes Store (CA). Apple. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  49. ↑ "Halcyon Days (New Version)" (in German). Amazon.de. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 ハルシオン・デイズ [Halcyon Days] (in Japanese). Universal Music Japan. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  51. ↑ Halcyon Days (deluxe edition liner notes). Ellie Goulding. Polydor Records. 2013. 3750663.
  52. ↑ "Ellie Goulding – Halcyon Days". Australiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  53. ↑ "Ellie Goulding – Halcyon Days" (in German). Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  54. ↑ "Top Stranih [Top Foreign]" (in Croatian). Top Foreign Albums. Hrvatska Diskografska Udruga. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  55. ↑ "Ellie Goulding: Halcyon Days" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  56. ↑ "Album – Classifica settimanale WK 45 (dal 04-11-2013 al 10-11-2013)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  57. ↑ ハルシオン・デイズ [Halcyon Days] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  58. ↑ "Ellie Goulding – Halcyon Days". Charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  59. ↑ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLIS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  60. ↑ "Ellie Goulding – Halcyon Days". Swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  61. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 2013". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  62. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 2014". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  63. ↑ "Årslista Album – År 2014" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Swedish Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  64. ↑ "Halcyon Days (Expanded Edition), Ellie Goulding" (in Dutch). bol.com. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  65. ↑ "Halcyon Days (Expanded Deluxe Edition), Ellie Goulding" (in Dutch). bol.com. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  66. ↑ "Halcyon Days – Goulding Ellie" (in Polish). Empik. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  67. ↑ "Halcyon Days (Deluxe Edition) – Goulding Ellie" (in Polish). Empik. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  68. ↑ "Ellie Goulding: Halcyon Days Deluxe [2 CD]". Amazon.com. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  69. ↑ "Ellie Goulding – Halcyon Days" (in Italian). Internet Bookshop Italia. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  70. ↑ "Halcyon days – Ellie Goulding (2014)" (in French). Fnac. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  71. ↑ "Halcyon Days (New Version)" (in German). Amazon.de. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  72. ↑ "Halcyon Days (RePack) – Goulding Ellie" (in Polish). Empik. Retrieved 18 December 2014.