Album: Ellie Goulding, Halcyon (Polydor)

It's always been difficult to discern the point of Ellie Goulding. She initially appeared merely a younger, vaguely indie Dido, but two albums in she's attempting something her contemporaries have already nailed: combining emotive histrionics with expensive orchestras.

She makes a half-decent dance diva on "I Need Your Love", but I'd ask whether that doesn't defeat the object of being Ellie Goulding, though I still don't know what that object is.