Ellie Goulding
‘Lights’
(Polydor)

Yes, excessive hyperbole is bloody irritating. But sometimes you’ve just got to suck it up and admit that in certain cases it’s, well, totally justified. Ellie Goulding is one such case. Now The Fly is keen to keep the hysteria to a minimum because so much has been raved about the young Hereford-born songbird already, but ‘Lights’ really is a staggering achievement. Packed full of sparkling pop with a folky heart and an electronic edge, the debut is ridiculously infectious; swooping choruses and lyrics of all-consuming love and losing it sticking in your head from first listen. Most impressive, however, is the way these ten tracks are so expertly crafted with the help of best bud and talented producer Starsmith. Goulding has well and truly proved herself here.

Camilla Pia