Ellie Goulding was one of those pop darlings of the 2010s whose star rose quickly. She scored some major hits in her early days and has been able to stay relevant for the past decade, even after a hiatus from the industry.
From the jump, Ellie stood out from her peers in the industry for her unique sound that was something different from the usual rotation of radio hits. Today, her discography stretches far and wide, and Ellie herself has nowhere to go but up.
Ellie Goulding’s Music Genres
Electronic Pop
Ellie Goulding may not have invented electropop, but the story of this genre simply cannot be told without her. Her early hits like “Lights” relied on simple beats with intricate synthetic sounds.
Her vocals are always a touch whimsical, which is responsible for much of her allure. Her breathy sounds lay nicely over the produced sounds of the track and create a jarring, yet somehow cohesive vibe.
“Burn” is another 2010s staple that is once again slightly distorted in terms of the overall sound, but works well as an electropop track.
Indie Pop
Ellie really put the indie in indie pop. Although you can clearly hear her heroes like Björk and Bon Iver in her vocals, she’s definitely blazed her own trail in this genre.
Indie pop is noted for its softer, less in-your-face vibe than mainstream pop music. Ellie’s 2012 album “Halcyon” fits the bill, with its light and upbeat tracks that don’t feel a hint overproduced or dramatized.
Another key element to Ellie’s indie pop is her naturally airy and frilly voice. Her subdued vocals are perfect in this genre that politely demands less commercial and more cool.
Folktronica
It’s a little folk. It’s a little electronic. It’s folktronica and it’s all Ellie Goulding.
Ellie really tapped into this genre with her album “Delirium.” This record had many tracks that had a light and free vibe, while still being underscored by synthetic, calculated beats.
“Lost and Found” is a prime example of the folktronica, with its pulsating percussion and soft guitar that play quite well together.
Overall, Ellie is no stranger to the synths and strings that make up the folktronica genre.
Conclusion
Ellie Goulding may not have reached the dizzying heights of her contemporaries in her heyday, yet she’s still a force to be reckoned with.
Her style has remained constant over the years, even as she experimented and explored with pop in all its various forms. It’s safe to say Ellie’s name will be up in lights for a long time to come.