CITYist

Enter Ellie Goulding. This doe-eyed, Herefordian canary emerged on the scene in 2010 with her March release of Lights by Polydor Records. Co-produced by British electropop veterans Starsmith and Frankmusik, among others, the album has garnered instant success. Since then, it has gone on to sell 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom, 40,000 of which were sold in its first week debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart.

Goulding has been lauded by critics for her successful marriage of electronic, pop, and folk stylings. Nevertheless, she unquestionably maintains her own, distinct sound: ghostly vocals trembling over lilting, futuristic melodies all complemented by twinkling guitar additives. Songs like “Starry Eyed” and “Guns and Horses” are breathy ballads full to bursting with swooning emotion all set to the tone of Goulding’s delicate warbling. Add her nymph-like, lithe beauty into the mix and you’ve got the makings of an unstoppable pop music phenomenon.

Along with a Critic’s Choice Brit Award under her belt, Goulding has snagged the top spot for BBC’s Sound of 2010 – narrowly beating out Greco-Welsh pop diva Marina and the Diamonds. Keeping in mind that this is the same award bequeathed to such sensational “across the pond” acts as Adele and Mika, it goes without saying that Ellie Goulding will be a force to be reckoned with in 2011. Especially now that she’s signed with the Stateside Interscope Records.

Watch the official video for “Guns and Horses” HERE.

All photos courtesy of EllieGoulding.com.