Is Higher Than Heaven a good place to start with Ellie Goulding?

Yes, Higher Than Heaven is recommended as a starting point for new Ellie Goulding listeners. Ethereal synth landscapes intertwine with Goulding's airy vocals, creating a captivating blend of dream pop and electropop. By the time 'Higher Than Heaven' was released in April 2023, Ellie Goulding had established herself as a prominent figure in the pop landscape, following her previous album 'Brightest Blue' from 2020. This album represents a continuation of her exploration into more electronic sounds while showcasing her evolution as an artist since her debut in 2010.

Who is Higher Than Heaven for?

Higher Than Heaven works well if you're into steady mid-tempo dance vibes, euphoric sound for celebrations and uplifting energy for workouts.

How many songs are on Higher Than Heaven?

Higher Than Heaven has 11 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

Higher Than Heaven

Ellie Goulding · 2023

36 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock

Ethereal synth landscapes intertwine with Goulding's airy vocals, creating a captivating blend of dream pop and electropop.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Midnight Dreams Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Cure for Love — This track stands out for its infectious chorus and upbeat production, encapsulating the album's theme of searching for connection amidst vulnerability.
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Like a Saviour — With its pulsating beat and uplifting lyrics, this song highlights Goulding's ability to blend emotive storytelling with danceable rhythms, making it a standout anthem.
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Higher Than Heaven — The title track encapsulates the album’s core message of transcendence and hope, featuring soaring melodies that showcase both her vocal prowess and lyrical depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends ethereal synths with introspective lyrics, showcasing Goulding's vocal strengths and solid production.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with driving synths, while the second half shifts to more introspective and slower tempos.
Goulding's vocals often harmonize with layered backing vocals, creating a lush soundscape that enhances the ethereal quality of the production.
Several tracks incorporate a build-up structure, where verses gradually escalate into expansive choruses, emphasizing emotional peaks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo dance vibes
euphoric sound for celebrations
uplifting energy for workouts
catchy melodies for sing-alongs

Maybe skip if you

seeking slow, introspective tracks
prefer long, sprawling albums

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Continues Goulding's exploration of sound with chart success, showcasing her ongoing relevance.
Themes: transformative love· electronic transcendence
Career context: By the time 'Higher Than Heaven' was released in April 2023, Ellie Goulding had established herself as a prominent figure in the pop landscape, following her previous album 'Brightest Blue' from 2020. This album represents a continuation of her exploration into more electronic sounds while showcasing her evolution as an artist since her debut in 2010.
Stylistic neighbors: Bat for Lashes· Lana Del Rey· Florence + the Machine

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

By the End of the Night

The narrative shifts from hopeful anticipation to a poignant reflection on fleeting moments shared between lovers.

This transition portrays a nuanced emotional complexity, revealing Goulding's skill in capturing the ephemeral nature of relationships.