Slow Grenade
Ellie Goulding · 2020
19 min · 6 tracks · alternative rock
A shimmering blend of electropop and dream pop that explores themes of love and vulnerability through ethereal production.
Top tracks — play these first
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Slow Grenade Start here — The title track sets the emotional tone for the album, encapsulating feelings of anxiety and longing through its haunting melody and poignant lyrics.
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Worry About Me — This track features a collaboration with blackbear, blending catchy hooks with introspective lyrics that resonate with listeners navigating complex relationships.
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Hate Me — 'Hate Me' dives into themes of regret and self-reflection, using a stark yet melodic approach that highlights Goulding's vocal strength against a backdrop of electronic beats.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The single showcases solid production and thematic consistency but lacks standout compositional depth.
What we noticed
- The first track introduces a steady, pulsing beat that carries through to the end, creating a consistent energy.
- Vocals are layered with harmonies that build in intensity, particularly in the chorus of 'Slow Grenade'.
- Each subsequent track shifts slightly in tempo and mood, but maintains a cohesive sound palette centered around synths and atmospheric production.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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 introspection
- intimate emotional explorations
- short sessions of reflection
- conversational sing-along moments
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy anthems
- prefer standalone track variety
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid single that fits within her catalog but lacks widespread recognition.
- Themes
- emotional turbulence· vulnerability in love· intimate self-reflection
- Career context
- By the time 'Slow Grenade' was released in January 2020, Ellie Goulding had established herself as a prominent figure in the pop landscape, following her breakthrough with 'Lights' in 2010 and subsequent hits like 'Love Me Like You Do'. This album came after a period of artistic evolution, showcasing her continued experimentation with electronic sounds while retaining her signature emotive vocal style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bat for Lashes· Lana Del Rey· Florence + the Machine
Tracklist
- 1 Slow Grenade Start here 3:37
- 2 Power 3:11
- 3 Flux 3:50
- 4 Worry About Me 2:59
- 5 Close to Me 3:02
- 6 Hate Me 3:06
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Norman Fucking Rockwell!
Lana Del Rey
Shares a similar introspective lyrical depth and lush production with emotional resonance.
Saves the World
Muna
Combines intimate storytelling with vibrant synth-pop textures, echoing themes of vulnerability.
Bloom
Troye Sivan
Explores emotional complexity through atmospheric pop, balancing vulnerability with captivating melodies.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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